RANGERS STORM THE CAPITAL(S) 

      VERSUS      

NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES
November 25, 2011 (Game 19, Away Game 12)
Verizon Center – Washington, D.C.

                                                                1st   2nd   3rd   OT   Final
New York Rangers               0      4        2       –      6
Washington Capitals           0      2        1       –      3

Team Notes:

–        The Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals, 6-3, tonight at Verizon Center.

–        New York improved to 11-5-3 (25 pts) on the season, including a 6-4-2 record on the road.

–        The Blueshirts‘ six goals mark a season high, and are the most tallied by New York since they registered six goals vs. Montreal on March 18, 2011 (6-3 win).

–        After a scoreless first period, the Rangers notched four goals in the second, including three goals in a 4:18 span early in the frame to open up a 3-0 lead.  New York entered the third period with a 4-2 lead, and improved to 6-0-1 when leading after the second.

–        The Rangers have won four of their last five games at Verizon Center, having out-scored the Capitals, 18-9, over the span.

–        The Blueshirts out-shot the Capitals, 33-21, and remain the only team in the NHL who are undefeated when out-shooting opponents, posting a 5-0-0 mark in those contests.

–        The Rangers are now five wins shy of 2,500 wins all-time.

Player Notes:

–        Ryan Callahan tallied three primary assists to lead all skaters with three points, tied for the team-high with five hits and posted a plus-three rating in 20:08 of ice time to earn first star honors.  His three assists mark a career-high, while his plus-three rating ties his season-high.  Callahan has tallied 12 points (six goals, six assists) in the last 11 games, with seven points (two goals, five assists) in the last five.

–        Ruslan Fedotenko notched season-highs with two goals, four shots, a plus-three rating and 19:06 of ice time.  It was his 10th career two-goal performance, and first multi-goal effort since February 21, 2009.

–        Dan Girardi registered two assists, including one on the power play, tied for the team-high with five hits, and led all skaters with four blocked shots and 29:13 of ice time to capture second star honors.  He has recorded nine points (three goals, six assists) in the last 13 games, and is now six assists shy of 100 career NHL assists.

–        Henrik Lundqvist made 18 saves for the win, and improve to 8-4-3 overall with a 5-3-2 mark on the road.  He is now 6-1-0 with a 1.99 GAA and a .931 Sv% in seven games during the month of November.

–        Artem Anisimov notched a power play goal, added an assist and tied his career-high and led all skaters with seven shots on goal.  He has tallied eight points (one goal, seven assists) in the last eight games, and now leads the team with 10 assists and is tied for fourth in scoring with 12 points on the season.

–        Brad Richards recorded a goal, added an assist and led all skaters with 15 faceoff wins in 23 attempts (65%) in 19:05 of ice time.  He has registered five points (three goals, two assists) in the last five games, and ranks second on the team in scoring with 15 points on the season.

–        Marian Gaborik opened the game’s scoring with an even strength tally at 3:37 of the second period, and was credited with three hits in the contest.  He has tallied 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in the last 12 games, and leads the team in scoring with 10 goals and 17 points on the season.

–        Brian Boyle notched the game-winning goal at 16:49 of the second period, registered four shots and won seven of 11 face-offs (64%).  He has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in the last five games.

–        Carl Hagelin registered his first career NHL point with an assist on Boyle’s game-winning goal, and logged 10:30 of ice time while making his NHL debut.  Hagelin, who was recalled from Connecticut (AHL) yesterday, was originally selected by the Rangers in the sixth round, 168th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

–        John Mitchell tallied the primary assist on Boyle’s game-winning goal and logged 11:15 of ice time while making his Rangers debut.  Mitchell, who was recalled from Connecticut (AHL) yesterday, was acquired by the Rangers from Toronto in exchange for a seventh round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft on February 28, 2011.

–        Ryan McDonagh recorded the primary assist on Anisimov’s power play goal, and was credited with three blocked shots in 28:49 of ice time.  He has registered four assists and a plus-10 rating in the last eight games, and leads the team with a plus-11 rating on the season.

–        Derek Stepan notched the primary assist on Gaborik’s second period goal and registered three shots on goal in 19:42 of ice time.  He has recorded 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in the last 11 games, with a point in each of the last two (one goal, one assist), and is now tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 12 points on the season.

Team Schedule:

–        The Rangers return to action tomorrow, November 26, when they will face-off against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden (2:00 p.m.), in an Atlantic Division matchup.  The game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio.

–        Please note there is no morning skate scheduled prior to tomorrow’s contest.  Head Coach John Tortorella will be available to the media at 11:50 a.m. in the Press Conference Room, located on the fifth floor of Madison Square Garden.