RANGERS SHOOTOUT BOTTLE CAPS AT MSG 

OFFICIAL GAME REPORTS  GOALIES 
Game Summary                                WSH: P. Grubauer (OT)  NYR: O. Pavelec (W)  Event Summary
Shootout Summary

–       ZERO HOUR – Tonight’s contest was the seventh time the Rangers have finished regulation and overtime with the score tied 0-0 since the shootout was implemented prior to the 2005-06 season. The previous six times were: Oct. 20, 2007 at Boston (1-0 loss); Mar. 9, 2008 vs. Boston (1-0 win); Oct. 17, 2008 vs. Toronto (1-0 win); Jan. 12, 2010 vs. New Jersey (1-0 loss); Feb. 1, 2012 at Buffalo (1-0 win); Nov. 1, 2014 vs. Winnipeg (1-0 loss). The Blueshirts played a game that was tied 0-0 after regulation for the first time since Mar. 6, 2017 at Tampa Bay.

–       WINNING WAYS – The Rangers have earned a win in 11 of their last 17 games (11-4-2 record) and have outscored their opponents, 55-37, over the span. In addition, the Blueshirts have won 17 of their last 25 games (17-6-2 record) and 19 of their last 29 contests (19-8-2 record).

–       POINT TAKEN – The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in five of the last six games (4-1-1 record) and in seven of the last nine games (5-2-2 record).

–       HOME COOKING – The Rangers have earned at least one point in 14 of their last 16 home games, dating back to Oct. 26 (13-2-1 record). The Blueshirts have outscored their opponents, 59-33, over the last 16 home contests. The Rangers have earned at least one point in 18 of 24 home games this season (15-6-3 record). New York leads the NHL in points (33) and is tied for the NHL lead in wins (15) at home in 2017-18.

–       SAVING THE DAY – Over the last eight games (since Dec. 11 vs. Dallas), Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec have posted a .950 SV% (285 saves on 300 shots).

–       KILL ZONE – New York was 2-for-2 (4:00) on the penalty kill in tonight’s contest. The Blueshirts have not allowed a power-play goal in seven of the last 10 games (31-for-34; 91.2%) and in eight of the last 12 games (35-for-39; 89.7%). In addition, the Rangers have killed off 71 of their opponents’ last 81 power play opportunities (87.7%).

–       MAKING THE DIFFERENCE – The Blueshirts have posted a plus-14 goal differential this season, which is the best among teams in the Metropolitan Division.

–       TWO GOOD – The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in four of the last six games, in six of the last nine games, in 11 of the last 18 games, and in 13 of the last 21 games.

–       CLOSE CALL – Ten of the Blueshirts’ last 15 games, including six of their last eight games, have been decided by one goal. In addition, 20 of the Rangers’ last 26 games, as well as 28 of their 37 games this season, have been decided by two or fewer goals.

–       TAKING THE METRO – New York has earned at least one point in nine of 13 games against Metropolitan Division opponents this season (6-4-3 record). In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one point in six of their last seven games against teams in the Metropolitan Division, dating back to Nov. 22 (5-1-1 record).

–       SHOOTING GALLERY – The Rangers recorded 37 shots on goal in tonight’s contest, as eight skaters registered at least three shots on goal. The Blueshirts have registered 30 or more shots on goal in 21 of 37 games in 2017-18.

–       HOT AT THE DOT – The Blueshirts won 32 of 51 faceoffs (62.7%) in tonight’s game. The Rangers have posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in seven of the last eight games, including a faceoff win percentage of 60.0% or better in each of the last two contests.

–       CAPS LOCK – The Rangers have earned at least one point in 19 of their last 29 games against Washington, dating back to Dec. 12, 2010 (17-10-2 record over the span). In addition, the Blueshirts have registered at least one point in 10 of their last 16 contests against the Capitals, dating back to Jan. 19, 2014 (9-6-1 record).

–       Ondrej Pavelec stopped all 30 shots he faced in regulation and overtime, and stopped both shooters he faced in the shootout to earn his first shutout of the season and his first shutout as a Ranger. Pavelec has stopped 115 of 119 shots he has faced over his last three appearances (.966 SV%; dating back to Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh), including 74 of 75 shots he has faced in his last two appearances (.987 SV%). Pavelec has appeared in more games (30) and has earned more shutouts (four) against Washington than against any other opponent in his NHL career, and he has also posted a win and shutout in each of his last two appearances against the Capitals.

–       Mats Zuccarello tallied the game-deciding goal in the shootout, and he registered four shots on goal in 21:02 of ice time in tonight’s contest. Zuccarello registered his ninth career game-deciding goal in the shootout, and he has registered 22 goals on 43 career shootout attempts (51.2%). He is the Rangers’ all-time leader in shootout goals, shootout attempts, and game-deciding goals.

–       Ryan McDonagh led all skaters with seven blocked shots and tied for the team-high with four hits while skating in a game-high 25:28 of ice time tonight. He skated in his 500th career NHL game (and his 500th career game with the Rangers) in tonight’s contest. McDonagh, who made his NHL debut on Jan. 7, 2011 at Dallas, is the 39th player (including goaltenders) – and the 13th defenseman – who has appeared in at least 500 games with the Rangers in franchise history. In addition, McDonagh, who was named the 27th captain in Rangers history on Oct. 6, 2014, has served as the team’s captain in 254 of his 500 career games with the Blueshirts.

–       Alain Vigneault earned his 634th career win as an NHL head coach in tonight’s game, tying Darryl Sutter for 11th place on the league’s all-time wins list among head coaches. Vigneault leads all NHL head coaches in wins since the start of the 2006-07 season (525).

–       Mika Zibanejad recorded a goal in the shootout, won 11 of 15 faceoffs (73.3%), and registered four shots on goal in tonight’s game.

–       Rick Nash led all skaters with six shots on goal and was credited with three hits in 17:47 of ice time.

–       Kevin Hayes led all skaters with 12 faceoff wins (12-for-19; 63.2%) and registered four shots on goal in 19:17 of ice time.

• Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers head coach

On tonight’s game…

“We played a good first period. We played really fast. In the first 12 minutes, I thought we had some good looks. They had a push in the second period and Pavs [Ondrej Pavelec] came up big. In the third, that could have been one of the best periods so far this year. Our guys had chances, 13-2 for us. We had some really good looks. Their goaltender [Philipp Grubauer] made some real big saves and gave them a chance to get to overtime and the shootout. In the shootout, Pavs made a couple of saves and we scored.” 

On Marc Staal…

“Marc’s been playing some good hockey for us. Again tonight against a really skilled team he was able to not only give us his consistent defensive game but with the puck, he’s been making some good outlet passes. And tonight one of the reasons I thought we played a quicker game was our defense put the puck in the hands of our forwards quicker and had a good game.”

On the defensive effort…

“I’m hoping that we are going to continue to play that way. A big part of tonight if you want to talk about our defensive game was more playing with the puck. Playing with the puck quick, making the right decisions, and you can create some great looks offensively like I thought we did.”

• Barry Trotz, Washington Capitals head coach

On whether the Capitals tested Ondrej Pavelec tonight…

“No, especially not in the third. I thought a little bit of a slow start in the first ten minutes, then I thought we started getting our legs; we were just a little bit better. I thought we were pretty good in the second period. We had some good chances. Third period, we stunk. I mean, the only reason we got a point is [Philipp] Grubauer. We mismanaged the puck in the middle of the ice, we turned pucks over, I mean, from the start of the first shift, we had, I don’t know how many turnovers in the first shift in the third period and that’s got to be our go-to group. So they set the tone and it took us a while and [Grubauer] got us every save possible and we weren’t able to get in a goal and obviously in the shootout, we didn’t get it done.”

On what to do to start scoring goals…

“Well, you’ve got to get into the interior, you’ve got to have some finish, you’ve got to hit the nets, you’ve got to get a little more traffic. When you’re not scoring, let’s not get too fine. You’re looking for tap-ins and that and the teams are too good. 

• Ondrej Pavelec, New York Rangers goaltender 

On how big tonight’s two points are…

“Big – after the break it wasn’t easy for anybody.  It felt good to come up with the two points, that’s for sure.”

On how well the team played defensively…

“I think you could see it.  I think we played really well defensively, especially in the third period.  They didn’t have much in the third.  I think we had a great start; we set the tone in the first period.  The second period we were up and down, but I think we were skating.  I think we did a great job on the penalty kill and we didn’t give them much.  That’s a really dangerous team if you put them on the power play and I think we did a great job.  Overall, I think we can be happy with the effort and move on.”

On what was going through his head as Ovechkin approached in the shootout…

“That I have to make the save.  That’s pretty much all you can do, just focus on you.  To be honest, I had no idea what he was going to do.  He has some moves and he can shoot the puck really well.  I was just trying to be patient and be square.  Actually, I didn’t make that save, he missed the net.”

• Ryan McDonagh, New York Rangers defenseman

On how big tonight’s two points are…

“They’re huge for sure.  I think it was just great to see our battle level, trust in our structure and our trust in our process there.  I mean it was nothing pretty much the whole game there and it ended up being that way, but we didn’t try and change anything just to make something happen offensively.  I thought we had a lot of good looks.  Both goalies played really well, so it was encouraging to see us find a way in the shootout.”

On coming out of the break and getting two points against a division rival…

“It’s your focus going into the break – your next game.  Collectively, as a group, we tried to put forth a good effort here and find a way to get two points.  It wasn’t pretty at times tonight, we had to defend a little bit, but at the same time, I thought we created some good looks offensively.  Both goalies played really well.”

On the play of Ondrej Pavelec…

“It was even more impressive coming off a break like that, not really having a practice, just a quick morning skate like this.  But it was good that he knew he was going to play this game, so like AV (Vigneault) said, he could do what he needed to do to be prepared.  He was ready to battle there for us and made some huge saves.”

• Marc Staal, New York Rangers defenseman 

On the team’s defensive effort tonight…

“I think it started with our forecheck. I thought we were better in their end. It allowed the defense to have tighter gaps. We were right in their face all night into the neutral zone and they weren’t really able to get anything. They were getting a lot of chips and dumps and not a lot of rush chances so I think we definitely did a lot better job in that area.”

On playing a scoreless game…

“Obviously you want to keep those thoughts out of your mind but it’s the third period, it’s 0-0, and we are playing well. Sometimes when that happens a break goes the other way on you and you could be behind. I thought we were pretty good with our calculated risk. When we took some risk it was smart; we didn’t really give them anything. We were able to get some chances and then we took it to the shootout. A couple guys made some nice moves and Pavs [Ondrej Pavelec] shut the door for us.”

On the confidence playing with Ondrej Pavelec…

“I haven’t played in front of him much but the times he has gone in this year, he’s been really, really good. He’s square to the puck. With any goalie, the only real difference for us is the way he plays the puck and the communication that way. He’s a positive guy. He’s always talking. He’s really good. He’s worked really hard in practice with Benny [Benoit Allaire] every day. It’s not easy to do, every day come into practice and not play a game. He’s stayed sharp.  It’s been impressive.”

• Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals forward 

On the team’s lack of success on the power play…

“I don’t think we executed.  We need to play simple.  We don’t move the puck well.  We’re better than that and need to realize what we need to do out there and play the right way.” 

On whether they did enough to test Ondrej Pavelec…     

“Not really.  I think we had a couple of good chances but I think throughout the whole game, he was able to see the shots and there was no traffic.  When we had the opportunity to shoot the puck, we tried to make a play.  Sometimes if you have one chance, you have to use it and put it in and we didn’t.” 

On the team’s mentality going back home on a three-game losing streak…                                                                            

“We have to come back and start over.  We have to play smarter and simpler.  I think we don’t make simple plays.  We don’t execute the play.”

–       Thursday, Dec. 28: Practice, 12:00 p.m. at MSG Training Center
–       Next Game: Friday, Dec. 29 at Detroit (7:30 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)

*Schedule subject to change

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