Rangers vs. Wild 12.23.16: Pregame Notes
© Jared Silber
TONIGHT'S GAME
The Rangers play their 36th game of the 2016-17 season tonight, Dec. 23, against the Minnesota Wild at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). New York has won seven of its last 10 contests (7-3-0), including six of its last eight games (6-2-0) and three of its last four games (3-1-0), and the team has only allowed 13 goals over the last eight games. The Rangers have posted a 23-11-1 record this season.
RANGERS VS. WILD
RANGERS-WILD CONNECTIONS
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. WILD
WINNING WAYS
The Rangers' 23 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the fourth-most wins the team has earned through the first 35 games of one season in franchise history. The Blueshirts have earned at least 23 wins in their first 35 games of a season five times in franchise history (1941-42, 1970-71, 1971-72, 1993-94, 2016-17), and the only seasons in which the team earned more than 23 wins through the first 35 contests were 1941-42 (24), 1971-72 (24), and 1993-94 (24). New York leads the NHL in wins this season and is the only NHL team that has earned at least 11 wins both at home and on the road thus far in 2016-17.
BOUNCE BACK
Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 27-4-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 10-0-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
DID YOU KNOW
The Rangers played their first 35 games of the 2016-17 season in a span of 69 days (Oct. 13 - Dec. 20), which is the shortest amount of time it took the team to play its first 35 games of one season in franchise history.
STARS ON BROADWAY
Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta were each named the NHL's Second Star of the Week over the last two weeks (Raanta for the week ending on Dec. 11 and Lundqvist for the week ending on Dec. 18). Two different Rangers were selected as one of the NHL's Three Stars of the Week in two consecutive weeks for the first time since 2006-07 (the season which the NHL began selecting Three Stars of the Week). Over the last eight games, Lundqvist and Raanta have posted a combined .942 SV% (213 saves on 226 shots).
SHUTTING THE DOOR
New York has posted a shutout in three of the last seven games and has allowed 13 goals over the last eight games (1.63 goals against per game over the span). The Blueshirts have not allowed a goal in 15 of the last 22 regulation periods, dating back to the third period on Dec. 8 at Winnipeg. The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in 24 of 35 games this season and have posted a 20-3-1 record in the 24 contests. New York ranks sixth in the NHL in goals against per game in 2016-17 (2.31).
POINT TAKEN
The Blueshirts have not been held pointless in two consecutive games thus far this season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time the Rangers went 35 games into a season without being held pointless in two or more consecutive games was 1971-72, when the team had its first two-game losing streak in games 68 and 69 of the season.
MAKING THE DIFFERENCE
The Rangers rank second in the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-33; 115 goals for, 82 goals against). The Blueshirts have posted a plus-33 goal differential or better through the first 35 games of a season for the first time since 1993-94.
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
The Rangers have posted a 12-3-0 record against Western Conference teams this season, including a 6-2-0 record against teams in the Central Division. New York has allowed nine goals in its eight games against Central Division opponents in 2016-17 (1.13 goals against per game).
HOME COOKING
The Rangers have posted a 12-5-1 record at home this season and have outscored opponents, 64-43, in their 18 home contests in 2016-17. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 44 of their 59 home games since the start of last season (39-15-5 record) and have averaged 3.27 goals per game at home over the span.
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist was selected as the NHL's Second Star of the Week for the week ending on Dec. 18, as he posted a 3-0-0 record, along with a 0.98 GAA and a .967 SV% in three appearances. Lundqvist enters the contest one win away from passing Dominik Hasek to become the all-time leader in wins by a European-born goaltender in NHL history. In addition, Lundqvist is one win away from passing Hasek for sole possession of 12th place on the NHL's all-time wins list. He is one of 10 goaltenders in NHL history who have earned at least 350 career wins and 60 career shutouts. Lundqvist has posted a 14-5-1 record, along with a 2.19 GAA, a .927 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 20 starts, and he has allowed two goals or fewer in 14 of the 20 games.
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan is tied for the team lead in assists (17) and points (23) this season. He has recorded nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the last 11 games and 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in the last 17 contests. Stepan leads the Rangers in primary assists this season (12), and he also leads all Rangers forwards in assists in 2016-17.
HEY HEY HAYES
Kevin Hayes is tied for the team lead in points this season (23; 11 goals, 12 assists). He is one of three NHL players who have registered at least 20 points and a plus-15 rating this season.
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan McDonagh is tied for the team lead in assists this season (17), and he leads Rangers defensemen in assists and points (18) in 2016-17. McDonagh has led the Rangers in ice time in 32 of 34 games he has played this season.
KREID-ING HIGH
Chris Kreider has recorded all of his nine goals and 17 of his 21 points in 2016-17 in game situations when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied.
HOLDEN STEADY
Nick Holden is tied for the NHL lead in games with a plus/minus rating of even or better this season (30).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
Penalty Kill:
UPCOMING MILESTONES
INJURIES (80 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
RANGERS BIRTHDAYS
- Dec. 22 - Ron Greschner
