RANGERS SHUT DOWN AND OUT THE HABS 

Game Summary                                  MTL: C. Price (L)        NYR: H. Lundqvist (W)
Event Summary

–       BACK-TO-BACK – In their last 99 back-to-back sets (since the start of the 2010-11 season), the Rangers have posted a 65-28-6 record in the second game of the set. New York posted an 11-5-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back set during the 2016-17 season.

–       BOUNCE BACK – Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 41-12-4 record in the game following a loss (either regulation loss or overtime/shootout loss). New York posted a 23-7-4 record in games following a loss last season.

–       THREE’S COMPANY – For the fourth consecutive season, a Ranger has tallied a goal in each of the team’s first three games of the season (Rick Nash – first four games of 2014-15; Oscar Lindberg – first three games of 2015-16; Chris Kreider – first three games of 2016-17; Mika Zibanejad – first three games of 2017-18). Nash is the only player in franchise history who has recorded at least one goal in each of the Rangers’ first four games of a season.

–       WHAT A LINE – The Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Pavel Buchnevich line registered three points (one goal, two assists) in tonight’s contest, as Buchnevich and Kreider both recorded an assist on Zibanejad’s goal in the third period. The three players have tallied nine points (four goals, five assists) thus far this season, and at least one of the three players has notched a point on six of the team’s nine goals in 2017-18.

–       ON POINT – Three different Rangers defensemen have recorded a goal over the last two games (Kevin Shattenkirk, Marc Staal, and Brady Skjei).

–       FIRST IN SCORE – The Rangers tallied the first goal of the game for the first time during the 2017-18 season. Since the start of the 2013-14 season, the Blueshirts have posted a 136-29-12 record in games which they have tallied the first goal, and the Rangers’ .768 winning percentage when tallying the first goal of the game ranks third in the NHL over the span.

–       TWO GOOD – New York did not allow a goal in tonight’s contest, and the Rangers held their opponent to two or fewer goals for the first time this season. Last season, the Rangers held their opponent to two or fewer goals in regulation/overtime in 45 of 82 games and posted a 38-5-2 record in those contests.

–       FINISHING THE JOB – Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have posted a 195-7-8 record in 210 regular season games in which they have held a lead entering the third period. New York’s .929 winning percentage when leading entering the third period over the span ranks first in the NHL.

–       HOT AT THE DOT – The Rangers won 29 of 51 faceoffs in tonight’s game (56.9%), including 14 of 20 faceoffs in the defensive zone (70.0%).

–       ROCK IN OCTOBER – Since the start of the 2015-16 season, New York has posted an 11-3-1 record at MSG in October. In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 16 of 23 overall games in October since 2015-16 (14-7-2 record over the span).

–       KILL ZONE – New York was 1-for-1 (2:00) on the penalty kill in the contest, and the Blueshirts held Montreal without a shot on goal during its power play opportunity. The Rangers did not allow a power play goal in 43 games last season and posted a 33-9-1 record in those games.

–       FULL HOUSE – Tonight’s game was the Rangers’ 275th consecutive sellout (228 regular season games, 47 playoff games over the span). The Blueshirts’ sellout streak dates back to November 3, 2011.

–       Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 34 shots he faced to earn his first win and first shutout of the 2017-18 season. Lundqvist appeared in his 745th career NHL game in tonight’s contest, passing Chris Osgood for sole possession of 20th place on the NHL’s all-time appearances list. Lundqvist is one of nine goalies who rank 20th or higher on the NHL’s all-time appearances list, the NHL’s all-time wins list, and the NHL’s all-time shutouts list (along with Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy, Terry Sawchuk, Jacques Plante, Glenn Hall, Tony Esposito, Ed Belfour, and Roberto Luongo). He earned his 406th career NHL win in tonight’s contest, and he is now one win away from tying Hall for ninth place on the league’s all-time wins list. Lundqvist also earned his 62nd career NHL shutout in tonight’s game, passing Turk Broda for sole possession of 16th place on the league’s all-time shutouts list. Lundqvist became the second goaltender in franchise history to earn at least one win in 13 different seasons (Mike Richter – 14). Lundqvist has started both games of a back-to-back set 79 times in his NHL career; he has posted a 51-21-7 record, along with a 2.02 GAA, a .930 SV%, and 9 SO in the second game of those back-to-back sets. In addition, Lundqvist has appeared in 171 games in which he and another winner of the Vezina Trophy have both started. In those 171 games, Lundqvist has posted a 100-55-16 record, along with a 2.23 GAA, a .921 SV%, and 16 SO. Lundqvist made his NHL debut 12 years ago today (Oct. 8, 2005 at New Jersey).

–       Mika Zibanejad registered a goal, recorded four shots on goal, won eight of 16 faceoffs (50.0%), and posted a plus-one rating. Zibanejad extended his goal/point streak to three games, which is tied for his career-high (four goals over the span). He is tied for second in the NHL in goals this season (four; tied with Wayne Simmonds and Brandon Saad, and trails Alex Ovechkin, who has seven).

–       Pavel Buchnevich tallied an assist, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. He has registered an assist/point in two of the first three games of the season (two assists).

–       Brady Skjei tallied the first goal of the game, which was the game-winning goal, led all skaters with three blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating. Skjei, who was selected to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2016-17, tied for eighth among NHL defensemen (and led NHL rookie defensemen) in even strength points last season (32). Skjei’s goal was the first game-winning goal he has recorded in his NHL career.

–       J.T. Miller notched an assist on the game-winning goal, led all skaters with 10 faceoff wins (10-for-13; 76.9%), and posted a plus-one rating. Miller skated in his 200th consecutive regular season game in tonight’s contest, and his consecutive games played streak dates back to Feb. 7, 2015. Miller was the only Ranger who skated in all 82 regular season games last season. He has registered 50 goals and 65 assists for 115 points, along with a plus-36 rating over the last 200 regular season games. Miller leads the Rangers in faceoff win percentage in 2017-18 (63.6%; 21-for-33).

–       Chris Kreider notched an assist, recorded four shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. Kreider has recorded an assist/point in each of the last two games, tallying three assists in the two contests.

–       Michael Grabner recorded his first assist/point of the season and posted a plus-one rating in 15:42 of ice time. Grabner’s assist in tonight’s game was a primary assist; last season, 36 of Grabner’s 40 points were either a goal or the primary assist on a goal.

• Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers head coach

On tonight’s game…

“The first five, six minutes it was going either way there. Decisions with the puck kept us hemmed in our own end. I think after the first (TV) timeout there we got back to making a couple of plays and we were able to get a couple of good looks. It was a hard game, both teams competed real hard.”

On Mika Zibanejad…

“There’s no doubt that Mika knew we put a lot of faith in his play. We signed him to a long-term deal and we expected him to be an impact player on the team. I think the way he has started is the way that he has to continue. He has to continue to be a force on the ice — a difference-maker — and that’s what we expect from him.” 

On Henrik Lundqvist’s play today…

“I think it had less to do with our structure and more to do with our puck decisions and taking care of the puck. You could see when they kicked that first one in, he was fiery and he was in it. The second (disallowed goal), he got bumped and I thought it was the right call. He did what we’re used to having, he gives us a chance and he makes the right save at the right time. That’s what he did tonight.”                 

• Claude Julien, Montreal Canadiens head coach 

On finishing offensive chances…

“That’s what everybody’s talking about. We certainly didn’t enter the game thinking that way. We had a couple of goals there in the first that were turned back, and so we felt we were playing fairly well, but at the end of the day, same result, I guess. Lots of chances, but we need to find a way to finish a little bit better. I thought it was an improvement from our last game, from defensively to even breakouts to managing the puck – I thought we spent a lot of time in the other team’s end. The next step is finding ways to capitalize on those opportunities on the time we spend in the other team’s end.”

On Victor Mete…

“I’ll demote him every game and he just does his job. Eventually, you guy will get used to it and you’ll stop asking about him, right? He’s not the first eighteen-year-old to play in the NHL—or nineteen-year-old, I should say—but he’s certainly handling himself really well. We’re happy with his game and his confidence as he plays more.”

• Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers goaltender

On the importance of tonight’s win…

“It was very important to bounce back for all of us and also the way we won the game.  This is how we have to play; you have to do every little thing right.  It’s such a big difference to play in a game where everyone knows what’s happening out there.  Yesterday we played a team that probably has the most skill in the league right now with the forwards they have there, so if you’re not in the right place it’s going to be a long one.  Yesterday was just very tough, especially for me in the first period.  Today in the first 10 (minutes), maybe we were trying to get going a little bit and then we got two calls there that were the correct calls but it definitely helped us to settle down a little bit.  Then we got the first goal and I think it really helped our game to settle things down and to play a smart game. That’s what we need to do and rely on our speed when there’s an opportunity for it.  We’re not forcing things; we need to play on the right side of the puck all the time and we did that tonight.”

On the work he faced tonight…

“It’s a big difference too when there’s a lot of work under-structure.  It was a lot of work yesterday and it was not easy, but tonight the guys were so good being on the right side of the puck and putting pressure on the guy coming in to take that shot and as a goalie that’s a lot easier to read.  It felt really good to have that support.  The guys worked really hard and we wanted to play a solid hockey game.  The first two games we were pretty much back-and-forth against two teams that try to go for it all the time.  That type of game is a little risky.  Tonight I felt like we played more our style where it’s more in control and we use our speed when there’s an opportunity for it.  And for me, every period a couple extra saves were enough.  It was not like I needed to make eight, nine big ones.  It was a couple extra here and there, and the rest, the guys took care of it.  It was a great team win here tonight and a great bounce back for us.” 

On whether anything changed in his mindset after the second disallowed goal…

“I think everybody settled down a little bit.  But yes the puck did bounce a little bit early on.  Sometimes maybe you are waiting for a break.  A lot of times you need to earn it by working hard and making good decisions.  But when you feel like things are moving in the right direction, I feel like maybe everybody just took our deep breath and said ‘alright, let’s play our game here and let’s not try to do too much.’  That goes for me as well. I try to just believe in my game.  Believe in your game plan and when you stick to it and execute it the way you should, we’ll be in good shape.”

• Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers forward

On getting the win tonight…

“There was a real good effort from the guys, especially Hankie [Henrik Lundqvist] coming in and bouncing back like he did. He gave us a great opportunity to win the game. We caught a few breaks there with the goals being overturned. It is nice to get that win.”

On the importance of tonight’s game…

“I think everyone knew, especially after last night and the home opener as well. We always want that first win as soon as you can get it. We felt like we wanted a solid 60 minutes. I think we let down a little in the first but overall I think we played pretty good.”

On how he’s playing right now…

“I try to shoot and the puck seems to go in right now. I just am trying to place myself in a good spot out there and the guys are finding me and the puck seems to be going in. That’s just the mentality. You just have to keep shooting when you are hot, I guess.”

• Marc Staal, New York Rangers defenseman

On tonight’s bounce-back game…

“It was a little bit sloppy early again. I thought we did a little bit of a better job of not going after it and opening ourselves up too much where we’re giving them too many grade-A looks. Hankie [Henrik Lundqvist] made some saves and we’re starting to find our feet and starting to play a little better.”

On the adjustments that were made to Montreal’s fore-check…

“We were trying those little passes out of the zone and it wasn’t working there. They were coming really hard and we started using the glass, harder on the wall, chips, making simple plays. We started to get in their end a little bit more where we could create a little more chances.”

On the importance of getting the win tonight…

“It’s big. It’s nice obviously. A big difference going into Tuesday 1-2 rather than 0-3. So it’s always good to get the first one of the season and get that feeling in the room, especially when you’ve got some new guys.”

• Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens forward

On the team’s effort, tonight compared to last night …

“There isn’t any consolation on effort. We should always have a strong effort. It was better, but it wasn’t what we expect. We expect to play better. The chances were there and we had the shots and everything. It’s not enough just to get the puck to the net; you have to get the puck in the net. I know it’s only two games here where it hasn’t really gone perfect, so we have to not get frustrated and stay positive. But at the same time, everyone has to have the mindset that you want to work on your game right now, not just be satisfied with making the easy play or going out there and just doing what’s expected of you. You have to strive for more, and if everyone has that mindset and we play as a unit of five on the ice, then the results will come.” 

On the team’s frustration after having two goals called off…

“I think they were good calls. Maybe if we disagreed with the calls then it would be frustrating, but I think they were good calls. We were getting the puck there, but like I said, it’s nice to look at the shot count and have lots of shots, but Pittsburgh just proved last year winning the Cup that making plays, making the goalie move, making it hard on him is how you win games. It’s not always going to result in tons of shots, but you have to have the confidence to make the plays around the net that are what it takes to score goals.”

–       Tomorrow (Monday, Oct. 9): Team is OFF

–       Next Game: Tuesday, Oct. 10 vs. St. Louis (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)

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