RANGERS VS. PENGUINS
RANGERS-PENGUINS CONNECTIONS
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. PENGUINS
STEVEN McDONALD EXTRA EFFORT AWARD
Prior to the start of tomorrow's game, the Rangers will announce this year's winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award. The Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is presented annually to the Ranger who, as chosen by the fans, "goes above and beyond the call of duty." The award, which has been given annually since the 1987-88 season, bears the name of New York City Police Detective Steven McDonald, who was shot and injured in the line of duty on July 12, 1986 and passed away on January 10, 2017.
GOING WILD
The Rangers are locked into the first wild card spot and will face the Montreal Canadiens in the First Round of the 2017 NHL Playoffs. New York will face Montreal in a playoff series for the 16th time, and the Rangers have played more playoff series against the Canadiens than against any other opponent in franchise history.
CLINCHING A BERTH
The Rangers clinched a berth in the 2017 NHL Playoffs by earning a point on Mar. 28 at San Jose. The Blueshirts have earned a playoff berth in seven consecutive seasons (since 2010-11) and in 11 of 12 seasons since 2005-06. The Rangers are one of three NHL teams that have made the playoffs in every season since 2010-11 (along with Chicago and Pittsburgh). The Rangers are one of four NHL teams that have made the playoffs 11 times in 12 seasons since 2005-06, along with Detroit, Pittsburgh, and San Jose.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Blueshirts are the only NHL team that has not been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs prior to the start of a regular season game at any point over the last 12 seasons (since 2005-06).
POINT TAKEN
New York earned its 100th point of the season on Apr. 2 vs. Philadelphia. The Rangers have earned at least 100 points for the third consecutive season (2014-15 - 2016-17) and for the 10th time in franchise history. The Blueshirts have registered 100 or more points in three consecutive seasons for the second time in franchise history (1970-71 - 1972-73). The Rangers are one of four NHL teams that have registered at least 100 points in every season since 2014-15 (along with Anaheim, Chicago, and Washington).
WINNING WAYS
The Rangers' 47 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the seventh-most in one season in franchise history (New York also earned 47 wins in 1972-73). The Blueshirts rank sixth in the NHL in wins this season and are tied for fifth in the NHL in wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (191). The Rangers' 191 wins since 2013-14 are the most in any four-season span in franchise history.
GOALS GALORE
The Blueshirts have tallied three or more goals in five of the last seven games and in 10 of the last 15 contests. The Rangers rank fourth in the NHL in goals per game in 2016-17 (3.09). The Rangers have tallied 253 goals this season, and the Blueshirts have recorded at least 253 goals in one season for the first time since 2005-06 (257).
THIRD PERIOD TALLIES
The Rangers have registered 100 goals in the third period this season. New York has recorded at least 100 goals in any period for the first time since the 1996-97 season (108 goals in the second period), as well as 100 or more goals in the third period for the first time since 1995-96 (101).
BOUNCE BACK
Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 39-11-4 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 22-7-4 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
BACK-TO-BACK
The Rangers have posted a 10-5-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back set thus far this season. In their last 97 back-to-back sets (since the start of the 2010-11 season), the Rangers have posted a 63-28-6 record in the second game of the set.
HOME COOKING
The Blueshirts earned their 20th home win of the season on Apr. 2 vs. Philadelphia. New York has earned 20 or more wins at home in four consecutive seasons, in six of the last seven seasons, and in 10 of the last 12 seasons.
ON POINT
Rangers defensemen have recorded 52 points (15 goals, 37 assists) in 27 games since Feb. 11, and a Rangers defenseman has tallied a goal in 13 of the 27 contests over the span.
AV SQUAD
Alain Vigneault enters the contest with 613 career wins as an NHL head coach, and he is one win away from passing Jacques Martin for sole possession of 14th place on the league's all-time wins list among head coaches. Vigneault is one of three head coaches in Rangers history who have guided the team to the playoffs in at least four consecutive seasons (Lester Patrick and Emile Francis).
KREID-ING HIGH
Chris Kreider has established career-highs in goals (28) and points (53) this season, and he has also tied his career-high in assists (25). He leads the Rangers in goals and games with a goal (24) in 2016-17. Kreider is one of five NHL players who have registered at least 28 goals and 130 hits this season (Alex Ovechkin, Wayne Simmonds, Joe Pavelski, and Anders Lee). In addition, he leads the Rangers in goals (17) and is tied for the team lead in points (32) at home this season.
RAISE THE ANTTI
Antti Raanta has established career-highs in appearances (30), wins (16), and shutouts (four) in 2016-17. He has posted a 16-6-2 record, along with a 2.13 GAA, a .927 SV%, and 4 SO in 26 starts this season, and he stopped all 30 shots he faced to earn a win/shutout in his last start on Mar. 25 at Los Angeles.
HEY HEY HAYES
Kevin Hayes has established career-highs in assists (32), points (49), shorthanded assists (six), shorthanded points (seven), shots on goal (143), and game-winning goals (four), and he has tied his career-high in goals (17) this season. He leads the NHL in shorthanded assists, and he is also tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded points in 2016-17.
SKJEI HEY KID
Brady Skjei has recorded 39 points this season, and his 39 points are the most a Rangers rookie defenseman has tallied since Brian Leetch in 1988-89. Skjei leads NHL rookies in even strength assists in 2016-17 (27). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Skjei is the first NHL defenseman who has recorded at least 27 even strength assists in his rookie season since Larry Murphy in 1980-81. He is also one of three NHL defensemen who have recorded at least 30 even strength points in their rookie season since 1993-94, along with John Carlson and Tyler Myers.
IT'S MILLER TIME
J.T. Miller is the only Ranger who has skated in all of the team's 81 games thus far this season. He has established career-highs in several categories in 2016-17, including assists (34), points (56), and game-winning goals (six). In addition, Miller has tied his career-high in goals this season (22).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
Penalty Kill:
UPCOMING MILESTONES
INJURIES (202 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- Apr. 9, 1983 - The Rangers completed a three-game sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers in the Patrick Division Semifinals, defeating the Flyers, 9-3, in Game 3 of the series at MSG.
- Apr. 9, 1989 - Mike Richter made his NHL debut in Game 4 of the Patrick Division Semifinals against the Pittsburgh Penguins at MSG.
- Apr. 9, 2011 - Ryan McDonagh tallied his first career NHL goal as the Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils, 5-2, at MSG in the final game of the regular season.
