Rangers vs. Oilers 11.3.16: Pregame Notes
© Bruce Bennett
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Rangers play their 11th game of the 2016-17 season and conclude a three-game homestand Nov. 3 against the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). Including tonight's game, the Rangers will play three of their next four games at MSG. In addition, six of the Blueshirts' next seven contests (including tomorrow's game) are against teams in the Western Conference. The Rangers have won six of their last eight games (6-2-0), including five of their last six games (5-1-0), and have posted a 7-3-0 record this season.
RANGERS VS. OILERS
RANGERS-OILERS CONNECTIONS
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. OILERS
GOALS GALORE
The Rangers have tallied 40 goals in their first 10 games this season (4.00 goals per game). New York has recorded at least 40 goals in the first 10 games of a season for the first time since 1992-93. The Rangers lead the NHL in goals and goals per game in 2016-17.
MAKING THE DIFFERENCE
The Blueshirts lead the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-18 - 40 goals for, 22 goals against). The Rangers' plus-18 goal differential through 10 games this season is the best over the first 10 games of any season in franchise history. The Rangers have posted a plus-10 goal differential over the last two games (11-1).
TEAM EFFORT
The Rangers are the only NHL team that has five players who have tallied four or more goals this season. In addition, the Blueshirts are the only NHL team that has seven players who have tallied eight or more points in 2016-17.
YOUTH SERVED
Through 10 games this season, 21 of the Rangers' 40 goals (52.5%), 40 of the Rangers' 70 assists (57.1%), and 61 of the Rangers' 110 points (55.5%) have been recorded by players 25 years old or younger. Ten different players 25 years old or younger have tallied at least one point for the Rangers this season (Buchnevich, Clendening, Fast, Hayes, Kreider, Miller, Pirri, Skjei, Vesey, and Zibanejad).
HOME COOKING
New York has posted a 6-1-0 record at home this season and has outscored its opponents, 32-14, over the seven games at MSG. The Rangers have won six of their first seven home games in one season for the first time since 1990-91. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 67 of their last 87 home games, dating back to Oct. 16, 2014 (58-20-9 record). In addition, the Rangers have posted a 33-11-4 record at MSG since the start of last season. The Rangers lead the NHL in wins (33), goals for (162), and goals per game (3.38) at home since the start of last season. The Rangers have outscored their opponents, 16-1, over their last eight periods at MSG, dating back to the start of the second period on Oct. 26 vs. Boston.
SEVENTH HEAVEN
The Rangers have recorded at least seven wins in the first 10 games of a season for the 12th time in their 90-season history. New York has won seven of its first 10 games in one season for the first time since 2009-10 and for the third time in the last 23 seasons.
STRONG FINISH
Over the last six games, the Rangers have outscored their opponents, 21-4, in the second period and third period (15-3 in the second period, 6-1 in the third period). New York has recorded 32 of its 40 goals this season in either the second period or third period (19 goals in the second period and 13 goals in the third period), and the Blueshirts have posted a plus-14 goal differential in the second period this season (19-5).
SECOND HELPING
The Rangers are tied for first in the NHL in goals (19) and are tied for third in the NHL in goals against (five) in the second period this season. The Blueshirts are the only NHL team that has posted a plus-14 goal differential or better in any period thus far in 2016-17.
SHOOTING GALLERY
The Rangers have outshot their opponents, 315-269, through the first 10 games this season (31.5 shots on goal per game; 26.9 shots on goal against per game). The Blueshirts rank fifth in the NHL in shots on goal against per game and rank sixth in the league in shots on goal per game in 2016-17. The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that rank sixth or better in both shots on goal per game and shots on goal against per game this season.
SHUTTING THE DOOR
New York is tied for fifth in the NHL in goals against per game this season (2.20). The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in six of the last seven games and have allowed one goal over the last two contests. The Blueshirts have won 32 of the last 33 games in which they allowed two goals or fewer, dating back to Dec. 15, 2015 (32-1-0).
HIGH FIVE
The Rangers have outscored their opponents, 8-0, at 5-on-5 over the last two games. New York leads the NHL in shooting percentage (9.3) and save percentage (.933) at 5-on-5 since the start of last season.
NOVEMBER REIGN
Since the start of the 2005-06 season, the Rangers lead the NHL in wins during November (84; 84-46-9 record in 139 games during the month).
AV SQUAD
Alain Vigneault leads all NHL head coaches in regular season wins since the start of the 2006-07 season (464). By earning a win on Oct. 30 vs. Tampa Bay, Vigneault became the sixth head coach in franchise history to earn 150 wins with the Rangers (joining Emile Francis, Lester Patrick, Frank Boucher, John Tortorella, and Tom Renney).
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan McDonagh enters the contest with an eight-game assist/point streak (nine assists over the span). McDonagh is the first Rangers defenseman to register an eight-game assist streak since Brian Leetch did so from Jan. 3, 1996 - Jan. 31, 1996 (nine games), and he is the first Rangers defenseman to register an eight-game point streak since Leetch did so from Oct. 30, 1996 - Dec. 1, 1996 (14 games). McDonagh's eight-game assist streak and eight-game point streak are both career-highs. He is tied for second in the NHL - and leads NHL defensemen - in assists this season (nine).
McDonagh is one of two NHL players who have tallied an assist in eight games this season (along with Claude Giroux), and he is one of five NHL players who have recorded a point in at least eight different games in 2016-17 (along with Giroux, Artem Anisimov, Victor Rask, and Wayne Simmonds). He is also one of three NHL players who have registered at least eight points and a plus-eight rating this season (along with Patrick Kane and Shea Weber).
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist earned his 60th career NHL shutout on Nov. 1 vs. St. Louis. Lundqvist is one of 10 goaltenders who have earned at least 350 career wins and 60 career shutouts in NHL history (along with Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, Dominik Hasek, Ed Belfour, Tony Esposito, Glenn Hall, and Roberto Luongo). Of the nine goaltenders who previously accomplished the feat, seven have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (the only two who haven't been inducted, Brodeur and Luongo, are not yet eligible for induction). Lundqvist is also the fourth goaltender who has earned at least 350 wins and 60 shutouts with one team, joining Brodeur (New Jersey), Esposito (Chicago), and Sawchuk (Detroit) as the only goaltenders to accomplish the feat.
Lundqvist is the only goaltender in Rangers history who has registered 60 shutouts with the team. He is the franchise's all-time leader in several categories, including appearances (693), wins (379), shutouts (60), and SV% (.921). Lundqvist has posted a 4-2-0 record, along with a 1.85 GAA, a .931 SV%, and 1 SO in his last six appearances, and he has allowed two goals or fewer in five of the six games.
VESEY DOES IT
Jimmy Vesey is the first Rangers rookie who has tallied six goals in the team's first 10 games of a season since Darren Turcotte in 1989-90. Vesey is tied for third in the NHL - and is tied for first among NHL rookies - in goals this season (six). Vesey is one of three rookies who have tallied six goals this season (along with Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine). He has posted a multi-point game in three of the last six contests (five goals, three assists over the span).
IT'S MILLER TIME
J.T. Miller has recorded a point in each of the Rangers' seven wins in 2016-17, and the Blueshirts have posted a 7-0-0 record in games which he has tallied a point this season. He has registered eight points (two goals, six assists) in the last six games, and he leads the Rangers in points this season (10; three goals, seven assists).
KREID-ING HIGH
Chris Kreider has posted a multi-point game in four of the six contests he has played this season, and he has registered an assist/point in five of the six games. Kreider ranks second in the NHL (min. two games played) in points per game this season (1.50 - nine points in six games), only trailing Sidney Crosby (1.67 - five points in three games).
RICK ROLLING
Rick Nash enters the contest with 398 career NHL goals. He leads all players selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft in goals (Alex Semin ranks second with 239). Nash has registered a goal/point in each of the last two games (two goals, one assist), in three of the last four games (three goals, two assists), and in five of the last eight contests (five goals, three assists). The Rangers have posted a 5-0-0 record when Nash has tallied a goal/point this season.
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan registered his 200th career NHL assist on Nov. 1 vs. St. Louis. Stepan became the first player to record all of his first 200 career NHL assists with the Rangers since Brian Leetch (Leetch tallied his 200th career NHL assist on Dec. 2, 1991). Stepan also became the 13th Ranger in franchise history to register at least 200 assists as a member of the team within the first seven seasons of his NHL career (along with Brian Leetch, Andy Bathgate, Brad Park, Ron Greschner, Steve Vickers, Walt Tkaczuk, Anders Hedberg, Don Maloney, Tomas Sandstrom, James Patrick, Bill Fairbairn, and Reijo Ruotsalainen. He is the 31st player in franchise history who has recorded 200 or more assists with the Rangers. Stepan has recorded six assists/points in the last eight games.
HOLDEN STEADY
Nick Holden is tied for fifth in the NHL - and is tied for third among NHL defensemen - in plus/minus rating this season (plus-eight). He has posted a plus/minus rating of even or better in every game thus far this season, and he is tied for first in the NHL in games with an even or better plus/minus rating (10). Holden is one of nine NHL players - and one of three NHL defensemen - who have posted a plus/minus rating of even or better in 10 games in 2016-17.
SKJEI HEY KID
Brady Skjei ranks fourth among NHL rookie defensemen in assists (four) and is tied for fourth among NHL rookie defensemen in points (four) in 2016-17. He is also tied for second among NHL rookies - and leads NHL rookie defensemen - in hits this season (20).
WELCOME MATS
Mats Zuccarello has registered three goals/points in the last three games and has recorded seven points (four goals, three assists) in the last eight games. Since the start of last season, Zuccarello has tallied 30 of his 31 goals in situations when the Rangers either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest.
HEY HEY HAYES
Kevin Hayes has registered five points (two goals, three assists) and has posted a plus-five rating over the last four games. Hayes is one of 11 NHL forwards who have recorded at least seven points and have posted a plus-seven rating or better this season.
MIKA MAGIC
Mika Zibanejad has recorded a point in seven of 10 games this season, and he has not gone two consecutive games without a point at any stretch thus far. He is tied for second on the Rangers in assists (seven) and points (nine) this season. Zibanejad is one of seven NHL centers who have won 100 or more faceoffs and have posted a faceoff win percentage of 55.0 or better thus far in 2016-17.
UP FOR GRABS
Michael Grabner is tied for second in the NHL - and leads the Rangers - in even strength goals this season (five). He registered his third career NHL hat trick - and his first as a Ranger - on Oct. 30 vs. Tampa Bay.
DAN'S THE MAN
Dan Girardi is tied for third in the NHL - and is tied for second among NHL defensemen - in game-winning goals this season (two). Girardi is tied for first on the Rangers in game-winning goals, and he leads Blueshirts defensemen in goals (two) in 2016-17.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Rangers have posted a 37-2-3 record in games which they have outscored their opponent on special teams. The Rangers have outscored their opponent on special teams in four of the last six games and in five of 10 games this season.
Power Play:
The Rangers were 2-for-6 (8:29) on Nov. 1 vs. St. Louis.
The Blueshirts rank ninth in the NHL in power play efficiency this season (23.7%; 9-for-38).
New York has recorded a power play goal in five of the last six games (7-for-24; 29.2%) and in seven of 10 games in 2016-17.
Penalty Kill:
The Rangers were 2-for-2 (2:38) on Nov. 1 vs. St. Louis.
The Blueshirts have posted a 22-2-2 record in the last 26 games in which they did not allow a power play goal, dating back to Dec. 22, 2015.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
Rick Nash - 2 goals away from 400 in his NHL career
INJURIES (23 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
Josh Jooris (separated shoulder) - 3-4 weeks
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
Oct. 28 - Assigned Dylan McIlrath to Hartford (AHL)
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- Nov. 2, 1957 - Marcel Paille registered a shutout while making his NHL debut as the Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins, 5-0, at MSG.
- Nov. 2, 1975 - Two days after being claimed on waivers by Detroit, Ed Giacomin returned to Madison Square Garden. Giacomin led Detroit to a 6-4 win over the Rangers.
- Nov. 2, 1979 - The Rangers acquired Barry Beck in a trade with the Colorado Rockies.
- Nov. 3, 1962 - Andy Hebenton tallied a goal while skating in his 500th consecutive game with the Rangers. Hebenton holds the franchise record for consecutive games played with 560, as he did not miss a game during eight seasons with the Blueshirts.
- Nov. 3, 1974 - Ron Greschner made his NHL debut.
- Nov. 3, 2002 - Mark Messier skated in his 1,616th career NHL game, passing Larry Murphy for sole possession of second place on the league's all-time games played list. Messier registered a goal in the contest.
