RANGERS HEAD INTO DEVIL’S DEN

NEW YORK RANGERS at NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017, 7:00 p.m. ET
Prudential Center – Newark, NJ
Rangers: 19-12-3 (41 pts)
Devils: 19-9-5 (43 pts)

BY: The New York Rangers 

The New York Rangers’ 2017-18 Media Guide can be found via the following link: HELP

TOMORROW’S GAME

The Rangers play their 35th game of the 2017-18 season tomorrow, Dec. 21, against the New Jersey Devils in a Metropolitan Division matchup at Prudential Center (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 1050 AM). The Rangers enter the contest with a three-game winning streak and have earned at least one point in five of their last six games (4-1-1 record). New York has earned a win in 10 of its last 14 games (10-3-1 record), and the Rangers have outscored their opponents, 49-30, over the last 14 games. The Blueshirts have won 16 of their last 22 games (16-5-1 record) and 18 of their last 26 contests (18-7-1 record). In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 21 of their last 28 games (18-7-3 record). 

RANGERS VS. DEVILS

• All-Time*: 115-90-27-9 (64-32-20-4 at home; 51-58-7-5 on the road) *Note: All-time record includes games against the Kansas City Scouts from 1974-75 – 1975-76 and the Colorado Rockies from 1976-77 – 1981-82
• 2017-18: Tomorrow’s game is the third of four meetings between the Rangers and Devils, and the first of two meetings between the two teams in New Jersey. The Rangers have posted a 1-1-0 record (1-1-0 at home; 0-0-0 on the road) and won the last meeting between the two teams, 5-2, on Dec. 9 at MSG. Rick Nash is tied for first among all skaters – and leads the Rangers – with three points in the season series (one goal, two assists), while Mats Zuccarello is tied for first among all skaters with two goals. Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves to earn his 419th career win with the Rangers on Dec. 9, passing Tony Esposito for the second-most wins with one franchise in NHL history. Following tomorrow’s contest, the Rangers and Devils will play against each other on the following date: Apr. 3 (at New Jersey).
• The Rangers have earned at least one point in 17 of their last 22 games against the Devils, dating back to Mar. 19, 2013 (14-5-3 record over the span). New York has also earned at least one point in 14 of its last 17 contests against New Jersey, dating back to Dec. 7, 2013 (11-3-3 record).

RANGERS-DEVILS CONNECTIONS

• John Moore played parts of three seasons with the Rangers (2012-13 – 2014-15) and helped the Blueshirts advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14.
• Brian Boyle played five seasons with the Rangers (2009-10 – 2013-14) and helped the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14.
• Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Hayes are brothers. The two have played against each other in 10 NHL games, and the Rangers have won eight of the 10 contests.
• Devils Assistant Coach Ryane Clowe played a part of one season with the Rangers (2012-13).
• Brian Gibbons was signed by the Rangers as a free agent on July 1, 2015, and he played with the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, during the 2015-16 season.
• Rick Nash (2002), Taylor Hall (2010), and Nico Hischier (2017) were all selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft.
• Jimmy Vesey and Will Butcher won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in college hockey in back-to-back seasons (Vesey – 2015-16 with Harvard; Butcher – 2016-17 with the University of Denver).
• Chris Kreider, Paul Carey, Kevin Hayes, Jimmy Hayes, and Brian Gibbons were all teammates at Boston College during the 2010-11 season. Kreider, Carey, Jimmy Hayes, and Gibbons helped Boston College win the National Championship in 2009-10.
• Ondrej Pavelec and Drew Stafford were teammates with Winnipeg for parts of three seasons (2014-15 – 2016-17).
• Kevin Shattenkirk and Jimmy Hayes were teammates with the U.S. National Team Development Program (USNTDP) and represented the United States at the 2007 IIHF U18 World Championship and the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Chris Kreider and Kyle Palmieri helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Brady Skjei, Will Butcher, and Steven Santini all represented the United States at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Rick Nash, John Moore, and Dalton Prout were all teammates with the Blue Jackets for part of one season (2011-12).
• Steven Kampfer and Jimmy Hayes were teammates with the Panthers for one season (2014-15).
• Nick Holden and John Moore were teammates with Springfield of the American Hockey League (AHL) for parts of two seasons (2010-11 and 2011-12).
• J.T. Miller and Stefan Noesen were teammates with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for one season (2011-12).
• Cory Schneider’s first head coach in the NHL was Alain Vigneault (Vancouver from 2008-09 – 2012-13).
• Drew Stafford’s first head coach in the NHL was Lindy Ruff (Buffalo from 2006-07 – 2012-13).
• Kyle Palmieri is a native of Smithtown, New York.
• Keith Kinkaid is a native of Farmingville, New York.
• Steven Santini is a native of Bronxville, New York.
• Kevin Shattenkirk, Paul Carey, and Marcus Johansson were all teammates with Washington for part of one season (2016-17).
• Devils Goaltending Coach Roland Melanson was a member of Alain Vigneault’s coaching staff with the Canucks for three seasons (2010-11 – 2012-13).

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. DEVILS

• Henrik Lundqvist – 59 GP, 36-16-7, 1.91 GAA, .931 SV%, 8 SO – Lundqvist has earned more wins and shutouts in his career against New Jersey than against any other NHL opponent. Since the Devils franchise moved to New Jersey prior to the start of the 1982-83 season, no goaltender has earned more wins against the Devils than Lundqvist has in his career (John Vanbiesbrouck is second with 29 wins). In his last 11 appearances against the Devils (dating back to the 2014 Stadium Series on Jan. 26, 2014), Lundqvist has posted an 8-2-1 record, along with a 1.98 GAA and a .927 SV%.
• Ondrej Pavelec – 16 GP, 6-4-4, 2.13 GAA, .918 SV% – Pavelec has earned at least one point in five of his last six appearances against the Devils (3-1-2 record, 1.63 GAA, .933 SV%), and he has allowed two goals or fewer in five of the six appearances.
• Mats Zuccarello – 25 GP, 6-10-16 – Zuccarello has registered five points (two goals, three assists) in the last six games against New Jersey, including two goals in the last contest against the Devils on Dec. 9 at MSG.
• Chris Kreider – 21 GP, 6-7-13 – Kreider has registered a goal/point in three of the last six games against New Jersey (three goals, two assists).
• Ryan McDonagh – 30 GP, 2-12-14 – McDonagh has registered a point in 10 of his last 16 contests against New Jersey, recording 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) over the span. He registered his first career NHL goal against New Jersey on Apr. 9, 2011 at MSG.
• Rick Nash – 23 GP, 10-4-14 – Nash has recorded a point in nine of his last 16 games against the Devils, tallying 12 points (nine goals, three assists) over the span.
• David Desharnais – 20 GP, 2-9-11 – Desharnais has recorded eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his last 12 games against the Devils.
• Mika Zibanejad – 13 GP, 3-5-8 – Zibanejad has tallied a goal/point in three of his last six games against New Jersey (three goals, two assists).
• Brady Skjei – 7 GP, 1-3-4 – Skjei has recorded a point in four of the last six games against the Devils. He tallied his first career NHL goal against New Jersey on Dec. 11, 2016, at MSG.

GAINING GROUND

Since Oct. 26, the Rangers…

• are tied for second in the NHL in wins (17); Washington has 18
• are tied for the NHL lead in goal differential (plus-26; 87 goals for, 61 goals against); tied with Tampa Bay
• rank second in the NHL in points percentage (.729); trailing only Nashville (.750)
• rank fourth in the NHL in points (35); trailing only Winnipeg (37), Nashville (36), and Washington (36)

The Rangers have played 24 games since Oct. 26, which are tied for the sixth-fewest in the NHL over the span. The Blueshirts, who were eight points out of first place in the Metropolitan Division and had played two more games than the team in first place (New Jersey) entering play on Oct. 31, are now only four points out of first place in the Metropolitan Division and have played one fewer game than the team currently in first place (Washington).

THREE’S COMPANY

The Blueshirts enter the contest with a three-game winning streak, dating back to Dec. 15 vs. Los Angeles. The Rangers have not trailed at any point in 181:56 of playing time over the three-game winning streak (the Rangers have led for 101:48 and have been tied for 80:08 over the span).

TEAM EFFORT

The Rangers are the only NHL team that has 14 players who have recorded 12 or more points this season. The Blueshirts are also one of two NHL teams that have eight players who have tallied seven or more goals (along with Tampa Bay).

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers have recorded at least three goals in 21 of the last 28 games, as well as four or more goals (including team goals awarded for a shootout win) in 17 of those contests (99 goals; 98 in regulation/overtime). The Blueshirts have tallied four or more goals in seven of the last 11 games (38 goals) and in eight of the last 13 contests (46 goals). New York has registered at least four goals in 18 different games this season, which is tied for the most in the NHL.

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

The Blueshirts have posted a plus-15 goal differential this season, which is the best among Metropolitan Division teams and ranks third among all Eastern Conference teams.

ON POINT

The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that have two defensemen (McDonagh and Shattenkirk) who have registered 17 or more assists this season (along with Los Angeles). Prior to this season, the last time the Rangers had two defensemen who recorded 17 or more assists through the first 34 games of a season was 1993-94 (Leetch – 26; Zubov – 25).

ROAD WARRIORS

The Rangers are tied for the NHL lead – and lead Eastern Conference teams – in road wins since the start of last season (32). New York also ranks second in the NHL – and leads Eastern Conference teams – in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (104).

AV SQUAD

Alain Vigneault has earned 633 career wins as an NHL head coach, and he is one win away from tying Darryl Sutter for 11th place on the NHL’s all-time wins list among head coaches. Vigneault leads all NHL head coaches in wins since the start of the 2006-07 season (524).

KING HENRIK

Among NHL goaltenders who have made at least 20 starts this season, Henrik Lundqvist is tied for sixth in SV% (.920). He enters the contest with a three-game winning streak, and he has posted a 1.65 GAA and a .955 SV% (105 saves on 110 shots) over the span. Lundqvist has posted a 15-4-0 record, along with a 2.36 GAA, a .929 SV%, and 1 SO in 20 appearances since Oct. 31, and he is tied for the NHL lead in wins over the span. He enters the contest with 422 career NHL wins, and he is one win away from tying Tony Esposito for eighth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list. 

UP FOR GRABS

Michael Grabner is tied for second in the NHL in even-strength goals this season (17), only trailing Nikita Kucherov (20). In addition, Grabner is tied with Kucherov and Auston Matthews for the NHL lead in even strength goals since the start of last season (43). He is tied for sixth in the NHL – and leads the Rangers – in goals in 2017-18 (17), and he also leads the Rangers in plus/minus rating this season (plus-14). Grabner is the only NHL player who has registered 17 or more goals and has also posted a plus-14 rating or better in 2017-18. Grabner is tied for the NHL lead in goals since Oct. 26 (16).

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello enters the contest with a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists). Zuccarello has tallied a point in 11 of the last 14 games (five goals, nine assists), and he has recorded 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) and a plus-14 rating in the last 22 contests. Zuccarello is tied for the NHL lead in plus/minus rating since Oct. 26 (plus-16), and he has posted a plus/minus rating of even or better in each of the Rangers’ 24 games over the span.

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh has tallied an assist/point in six of the last nine games (six assists). He is tied for second among NHL defensemen in even strength assists this season (14), trailing only John Klingberg (16). McDonagh is one of five NHL defensemen who have registered at least 18 points and a plus-10 rating this season (Doughty, Hedman, Pietrangelo, and Sergachev).

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that rank ninth or better in both power play efficiency and penalty kill efficiency in 2017-18 (along with Nashville).

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 0-for-2 (3:00) on Dec. 19 vs. Anaheim.
• The Blueshirts rank ninth in the NHL in power-play efficiency this season (20.9%; 23-for-110).
• New York has tallied a power play goal in two of the last three games (3-for-10; 30.0%).

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 2-for-2 (3:00) on Dec. 19 vs. Anaheim.
• New York is tied for fourth in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this season (83.5%; 91-for-109).
• The Blueshirts have not allowed a power-play goal in six of the last seven games (21-for-22; 95.5%) and in seven of the last nine games (25-for-27; 92.6%).
• The Rangers have killed off 61 of their opponents’ last 69 power play opportunities (88.4%).

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Ryan McDonagh – 3 games away from 500 in his NHL career
• Mats Zuccarello – 4 assists away from 200 in his NHL career; 6 goals away from 100 in his NHL career; 10 points away from 300 in his NHL career

INJURIES (23 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

• None

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• None

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

• Dec. 20, 1951 – Allan Stanley was named the seventh captain in Rangers history.
• Dec. 20, 1973 – The ‘G-A-G Line’ registered seven points as the Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 5-2, at MSG. Rod Gilbert tallied four points (one goal, three assists) in the contest.
• Dec. 20, 1980 – Ron Greschner tallied his 100th career NHL goal and became the first defenseman to record 100 goals with the Rangers in franchise history. The Rangers tied the Minnesota North Stars, 3-3.
• Dec. 21, 1948 – Lynn Patrick was named the third head coach in Rangers history.
• Dec. 21, 1992 – The Rangers earned their first road shutout against the Devils in franchise history by defeating New Jersey, 3-0. John Vanbiesbrouck made 35 saves to earn the win and shutout, and Adam Graves tallied two points (one goal, one assist) in the contest, including the game-winning goal.
• Dec. 21, 1996 – Wayne Gretzky tallied three primary assists, all from his “office” behind the net, as the Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 3-2, in overtime in Montreal. Gretzky assisted on Luc Robitaille’s game-winning goal 42 seconds into overtime.

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