RANGERS DEFUSE HURRICANES 

    VERSUS    

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES

November 11, 2011 (Game 15, Home Game 7)

Madison Square Garden – New York, New York

Team Notes:

–        The Rangers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-1, tonight at Madison Square Garden to extend their winning streak to six games, and have won five straight home games.

–        The six-game winning streak is the longest for the Rangers since they won seven straight during the 2009-10 season (Oct. 3 – Oct. 17).

–        New York improved to 9-3-3 (21 pts) on the season, including a 5-1-1 record at home.

–        The Rangers have out-scored their opponents, 23-9, during their current six-game winning streak.

–        The Rangers’ 5-1-1 start through seven games at Madison Square Garden is their best start at home since they posted a record of 5-1-1-0 through seven home games to begin the 1992-93 season.

–        The Blueshirts have registered at least one point in 10 of the last 12 games (9-2-1 over the span), including in each of the last seven games (6-0-1).  The last time New York registered a seven-game point streak was Mar. 12, 2011 to Mar. 26, 2011.

–        The Rangers tallied four goals in the third period, including two goals in nine seconds – at 10:47 and 10:56 – and three goals in three minutes – from 10:47 to 13:47.  The four goals in the third tied the Blueshirts’ season-high for most goals in a period (Oct. 18 at Vancouver, third period), and the five goals tied their season-high for most goals in a game (Oct. 31 vs. San Jose, Nov. 5 vs. Montreal).

–        New York held Carolina scoreless in two power play attempts (2:27), and are now 14 of 15 (93.3%) on the penalty kill during their current six-game winning streak.

–        New York notched one goal in three power play attempts (4:20), and are 8-40 (20.0%) with the man advantage in the last nine games.

–        The Blueshirts registered a season-high, 40 shots on goal, including 17 shots in the third period, which marks a Rangers’ season high for most shots in a period.  The last time New York posted at least 40 shots on goal was on Mar. 15, 2011 vs. the NY Islanders (47).  Marian Gaborik led all skaters with seven shots on goal, while Derek Stepan recorded a season-high, six shots.

–        The Rangers out-hit the Hurricanes, 29-18, led by Dan Girardi’s game-high seven hits.

–        The Blueshirts were credited with 17 blocked shots in the contest.  Ryan McDonagh led all skaters with a season-high, five blocked shots.

Player Notes:

–        Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves to extend his winning streak to four games, and improved to 6-3-3 overall with a 3-1-1 mark at home.  He has posted a 1.71 goals against average with a .941 save percentage during the streak.  Lundqvist has made 30 or more saves in six games this season, posting a 3-2-1 record with a 2.29 goals against average, a .936 save percentage and one shutout in those contests.

–        Dan Girardi notched the game-winning goal, on the power play, was credited with a game-high, seven hits and posted a plus-two rating in 24:36 of ice time.  He has recorded seven points (three goals, four assists) in the last nine games.

–        Brandon Dubinsky tallied two points, including his first goal of the season, and was credited with three hits to earn third star honors.

–        Ryan Callahan registered two points (one goal, one assist), four shots on goal and posted a plus-two rating in 19:33 of ice time.  He has registered seven points (five goals, two assists) in the last seven games, and is now one game shy of 300 career NHL appearances.

–        Brad Richards recorded two points, including the primary assist on Girardi’s game-winning, power play goal and an unassisted goal with 1:34 remaining in regulation.  He has tallied seven points (four goals, three assists) in the last seven games.

–        Sean Avery opened the game’s scoring with an even strength goal at 9:43 of the first period, and posted a plus-two rating to earn second star honors.

–        Ryan McDonagh tallied an assist on the game-winning, power play goal, posted a plus-two rating and led all skaters with five blocked shots and 24:50 of ice time.  He has registered two assists and a plus-eight rating in the last four games.

–        Jeff Woywitka, Brian Boyle and Michael Sauer each recorded an assist in the contest.  Woywitka registered the lone assist on Avery’s first period goal, and the Rangers are now 9-1-0 when he is in the lineup.  Boyle also recorded a season-high, four shots on goal, along with three hits and a plus-two rating.  Sauer tallied the primary assist on Callahan’s third period goal, and was credited with two blocked shots in 19:38 of ice time.

Post-Game Quotes:                                                      

–        John Tortorella on tonight’s game…

“It was good that other people chipped in. I thought the biggest factor in our game was – most of this year – we stay with it. We try to stay with our game.  Everybody did that. We had some contributions from other people.”

–        Sean Avery on the fan support…

“It’s about us winning. It’s about us getting two points, winning six games in a row. It’s been a long time since that’s happened. Seeing them (the fans) excited at the end of the game after we battled back is why you play hard. That’s why you are proud to play for the Rangers and I’m certainly proud to have them as our fans.”

–        Brandon Dubinsky on his first goal of the season…

“It’s certainly a good weight off your shoulders. Those are the ones you need. Cally (Ryan Callahan) makes a great play; (Brian) Boyle and Cally driving and shooting the puck to the net. You can’t ask for a better gift than a wide open net with the puck on your stick, especially when you’re in dire need of a goal.”

Team Schedule:

The Blueshirts’ practice schedule for tomorrow, November 12, is 11:00 a.m. at the MSG Training Center.