LUNDQVIST’S STUNNING PERFORMANCE AGAINST ‘YOTES GIVES SLOW-STARTING NYR A WIN 

OFFICIAL GAME REPORTS     GOALIES
Game Summary                                   NYR: H. Lundqvist (W)   ARI: A. Raanta (OT)
Event Summary
Shootout Summary

–      WINNING WAYS – The Rangers have earned a win in 13 of their last 21 games (13-5-3 record), and the Rangers have outscored their opponents, 64-48, over the span. The Blueshirts have also won 19 of their last 29 games (19-7-3 record) and 21 of their last 33 contests (21-9-3 record).

–       POINT TAKEN – The Rangers have earned at least one point in eight of the last 10 games (6-2-2 record) and in 10 of the last 13 games (7-3-3 record).

–       SAVING THE DAY – Over the last 12 games (since Dec. 11 vs. Dallas), Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec have posted a .948 SV% (416 saves on 439 shots). One of the two goaltenders has made 30 or more saves in 11 of the last 12 contests. In addition, Lundqvist or Pavelec has posted a .938 SV% or better in nine of 12 games over the span.

–       WORKING OVERTIME – Four of the Rangers’ last five games, as well as five of the last seven games and seven of the last 12 contests, have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. New York has posted an 8-5 record in 13 games decided in either overtime or a shootout in 2017-18. All of the Blueshirts’ last five road games have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. In addition, three of the Rangers’ last five contests, as well as four of their last seven contests, have been decided in a shootout.

–       ROAD WARRIORS – New York leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2016-17 season (34; 34-19-4 record in 57 road games over the span). In addition, the Rangers are tied for the NHL lead – and lead Eastern Conference teams – in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (106).

–       TWO GOOD – The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in six of the last 10 games, in eight of the last 13 games, in 13 of the last 22 games, and in 15 of the last 25 games.

–       MAKING THE DIFFERENCE – The Rangers have posted a plus-12 goal differential this season, which is the best among all teams in the Metropolitan Division.

–       PRIME NINE – Seven different Rangers tallied nine or more goals through the first half of the 2017-18 season (Grabner, Zibanejad, Kreider, Buchnevich, Nash, Hayes, and Vesey).

–       RESILIENT RANGERS – New York outscored Arizona, 1-0 when trailing in tonight’s game. The Rangers have outscored their opponents, 52-36, in game situations when trailing in 2017-18. As of the conclusion of tonight’s game, the Blueshirts’ plus-16 goal differential when trailing thus far this season is tied for the best in the NHL.

–       CLOSE CALL – Thirteen of the Blueshirts’ last 19 games, including nine of their last 12 games and six of their last seven games, have been decided by one goal. In addition, 31 of the Rangers’ 41 games this season have been decided by two or fewer goals.

–       HOT AT THE DOT – The Blueshirts won 28 of 50 faceoffs (56.0%) in tonight’s contest. The Rangers have posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in nine of the last 12 games.

–       HITTING MACHINE – The Blueshirts were credited with 25 hits in tonight’s game, as 12 of 18 skaters recorded at least one hit in the contest.

–       HOWLING FOR YOU – The Rangers have won each of their last nine games against the Coyotes, dating back to Mar. 24, 2014. The Rangers’ current nine-game winning streak against the Coyotes is their longest winning streak against the Jets/Coyotes franchise in the Blueshirts’ franchise history.

–       SMOOTH SAILING ON THE PACIFIC – New York has posted a 7-1-0 record in eight games against Pacific Division opponents in 2017-18. The Rangers have posted a 37-8-5 record in 50 games against teams in the Pacific Division since the start of the 2014-15 season, including an 18-3-1 record in 22 contests since the start of last season.

–       Henrik Lundqvist stopped 38 of 39 shots he faced in regulation/overtime, including all 35 shots he faced at even strength, and stopped all three shots he faced in the shootout to earn his 19th win of the 2017-18 season and his 424th career NHL win. By earning his 424th career NHL win, Lundqvist passed Tony Esposito for sole possession of eighth place on the league’s all-time wins list. He is now 13 wins away from tying Jacques Plante for seventh place on the NHL’s all-time wins list (437). He also made his 777th career NHL appearance in tonight’s game, tying Tom Barrasso for 19th place on the league’s all-time appearances list. Over his last nine appearances (dating back to Dec. 15 vs. Los Angeles), Lundqvist has posted a 5-2-2 record, along with a 2.05 GAA and a .943 SV% (316 saves on 335 shots), and he has made at least 30 saves in each appearance over the span. He has made 30 or more saves in nine consecutive appearances for the first time in his NHL career. In addition, Lundqvist has made at least 30 saves in 11 of his last 13 appearances. He was selected as the game’s First Star in tonight’s contest, and he has been selected as one of the game’s Three Stars in 17 of his 35 appearances in 2017-18. Lundqvist has posted a .900 SV% or better in each of his last 13 appearances, dating back to Dec. 1 vs. Carolina. Lundqvist’s stretch of 13 consecutive appearances with a .900 SV% or better is tied for the second-longest streak of his career (14 consecutive appearances from Jan. 17, 2012 – Feb. 27, 2012; 13 consecutive appearances from Oct. 15, 2015 – Nov. 23, 2015).

–       Jimmy Vesey registered a goal and posted a plus-one rating in 17:41 of ice time. Vesey is tied for second on the Rangers in even-strength goals this season (nine). He has registered a point in five of the last eight games (three goals, two assists), and he has tallied 11 points (five goals, six assists) in the last 21 contests.

–       Mika Zibanejad tallied the game-deciding goal in the shootout, led all skaters with 10 faceoff wins (10-for-15; 66.7%), and registered two shots on goal in 19:45 of ice time. Zibanejad is tied for the NHL lead in shootout goals this season (three; 3-for-6, 50.0%).

–       Vinni Lettieri led all skaters with four hits and registered three shots on goal in 14:22 of ice time while skating in his second career NHL game.

–       J.T. Miller won four of six faceoffs (66.7%) and led all Rangers forwards with 20:38 of ice time in tonight’s contest.

–       Ryan McDonagh tied for the game-high with three blocked shots and recorded three shots on goal while skating in a team-high 24:26 of ice time.

–       Rick Nash led the Rangers with four shots on goal and posted a plus-one rating in 15:55 of ice time.

–       Morning Skate/Availability Schedule: The Rangers will not have a morning skate prior to tomorrow’s contest. Rangers Head Coach Alain Vigneault will be available to the media at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. local time)

–       Next Game: Tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 7 at Vegas (9:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. local time – TV: MSG+)

*Schedule subject to change

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