AHL Hartford Wolf Pack Hockey Madison Square Garden New York Rangers NHL Sports XL Center

A RANGERS DEFENSIVE MISTAKE ARE SNAKE EYES IN VEGAS

By Mitch Beck

January 8, 2018 5 Min Read

OFFICIAL GAME REPORTS GOALIES
Game Summary NYR: O. Pavelec (L) VGK: M-A. Fleury (W)
Event Summary

SAVING THE DAY – Over the last 13 games (since Dec. 11 vs. Dallas), Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec have posted a .947 SV% (449 saves on 474 shots). One of the two goaltenders has made 30 or more saves in 12 of the last 13 contests. In addition, Lundqvist or Pavelec has posted a .938 SV% or better in 10 of 13 games over the span.
TWO GOOD – The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in seven of the last 11 games, in nine of the last 14 games, in 14 of the last 23 games, and in 16 of the last 26 games.

STAYING DISCIPLINED – The Blueshirts have only been shorthanded four times over the last three games and have not been shorthanded more than two times in any game over the span.
KILL ZONE – New York was 1-for-1 (2:00) on the penalty kill in tonight’s contest. The Rangers have not allowed a power-play goal in 10 of the last 15 games (43-for-48; 89.6%) and in 11 of the last 17 games (47-for-53; 88.7%). The Blueshirts have killed off 83 of their opponents’ last 95 power play opportunities (87.4%). The Rangers have not allowed more than one power-play goal in 41 of 42 games this season, including each of the last 40 contests.
FIRST IN SCORE – The Rangers tallied the first goal of the game for the 20th time this season.
CLOSE CALL – Fourteen of the Blueshirts’ last 20 games, including 10 of their last 13 games and seven of their last eight games, have been decided by one goal. In addition, 32 of the Rangers’ 42 games this season have been decided by two or fewer goals.
SHOOTING GALLERY – New York recorded 29 shots on goal in tonight’s game, including 12 shots on goal in the third period, and 17 of 18 skaters registered at least one shot on goal in the contest.
HOT AT THE DOT – The Blueshirts won 34 of 63 faceoffs in tonight’s contest (54.0%). The Rangers have posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in 10 of the last 13 games.
BLOCK PARTY – The Rangers were credited with 24 blocked shots in tonight’s contest, and seven different skaters registered at least two blocked shots.

Ondrej Pavelec stopped 32 of 34 shots he faced in tonight’s contest. Over his last four appearances (since Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh), Pavelec has posted a 2-1-1 record, along with a 1.45 GAA, a .961 SV% (147 saves on 153 shots), and 1 SO, and he has made at least 30 saves in each appearance over the span. Pavelec has also allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last three appearances, dating back to Dec. 11 vs. Dallas; he has posted a 1-1-1 record, along with a 0.96 GAA, a .972 SV% (106 saves on 109 shots), and 1 SO over his last three appearances.
Mika Zibanejad registered the first goal of the game, tied for the team-high with three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in 20:57 of ice time. He led all Rangers forwards in ice time in tonight’s contest. Zibanejad has recorded a goal/point in two of the last three games (two goals), and he ranks second on the Rangers in goals this season (13).
Vinni Lettieri tallied his first career NHL assist, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in 13:28 of ice time. He has notched a point in two of his first three career NHL games (one goal, one assist). Lettieri is the first Ranger who has registered his first career NHL goal and his first career NHL assist in his first three career NHL games since Carl Hagelin during the 2011-12 season.
Michael Grabner notched an assist, was credited with two blocked shots and posted a plus-one rating. Grabner leads the Rangers in even-strength points this season (22). He has tallied 10 points (eight goals, two assists) in the last 17 contests.
Ryan McDonagh was credited with three blocked shots and recorded two shots on goal while skating in a game-high 25:12 of ice time. McDonagh has logged at least 25:00 of ice time in six of the last eight games.
Steven Kampfer tied for the team-high with three shots on goal and was credited with four blocked shots in 17:31 of ice time. He skated in his first game since Nov. 28 vs. Florida.
David Desharnais led all skaters with 14 faceoff wins (14-for-21; 66.7%) and registered one shot on goal in 17:51 of ice time in tonight’s contest.
Nick Holden led all skaters with five blocked shots in 20:44 of ice time in tonight’s contest.