RANGERS LOOK TO REDEEM THEMSELVES IN GAME AGAINST PENS

NEW YORK RANGERS at PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, 7:30 p.m. ET
PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA
Rangers: 22-16-5 (49 pts)
Penguins: 23-19-3 (49 pts)

BY: The New York Rangers 

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

TODAY’S GAME

The Rangers play their 44th game of the 2017-18 season and conclude a back-to-back set today, Jan. 14, against the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena (7:30 p.m. ET – TV: NBCSN; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). Today’s game is the second of three consecutive contests the Blueshirts are playing against Metropolitan Division opponents. The Rangers have earned at least one point in eight of the last 12 games (6-4-2 record) and in 10 of the last 15 games (7-5-3 record). The Blueshirts have won 13 of their last 23 games (13-7-3 record), 19 of their last 31 games (19-9-3 record), and 21 of their last 35 contests (21-11-3 record). In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 26 of their last 37 games (21-11-5 record).

RANGERS VS. PENGUINS

• All-Time: 127-109-23-14 (70-52-9-7 at home; 57-57-14-7 on the road)
• 2017-18: Today’s game is the third of four meetings between the Rangers and Penguins, and the second of two meetings between the two teams at Pittsburgh. The Rangers have posted a 1-0-1 record (0-0-1 at home; 1-0-0 on the road), following their 4-3 win on Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh. The Rangers have recorded four goals in each of the two contests, and each game has been decided by one goal. J.T. Miller leads the Rangers with three assists and four points in the season series, while Pavel Buchnevich is tied for first among all skaters with two goals. David Desharnais and Mats Zuccarello have each registered three points (one goal, two assists) in two games. Ondrej Pavelec made 41 saves to earn a win on Dec. 5. Following today’s contest, the Rangers and Penguins will play against each other on the following date: Mar. 14 (at MSG).
• The Rangers have earned at least one point in 16 of their last 21 games against the Penguins, dating back to Apr. 3, 2013 (10-5-6 record over the span).
• New York has earned at least one point in six of its last eight road games against the Penguins, dating back to Feb. 7, 2014 (5-2-1 record over the span).

RANGERS-PENGUINS CONNECTIONS

• Carl Hagelin played four seasons with the Rangers (2011-12 – 2014-15).
• Matt Hunwick played one season with the Rangers (2014-15).
• Glen Sather played parts of two seasons with the Penguins (1969-70 and 1970-71).
• Mike Sullivan served as an Assistant Coach with the Rangers for four seasons (2009-10 – 2012-13). Sullivan was selected by the Rangers in the fourth round (69th overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
• Kevin Shattenkirk and Ryan Reaves were teammates with St. Louis for parts of seven seasons (2010-11 – 2016-17). Shattenkirk, Reaves, and Ian Cole were all teammates with the Blues for parts of five seasons (2010-11 – 2014-15).
• Steven Kampfer and Carl Hagelin were teammates at the University of Michigan for three seasons (2007-08 – 2009-10) and helped the school win the CCHA Championship twice (2007-08 and 2009-10). Kampfer and Matt Hunwick were teammates at the University of Michigan in 2006-07.
• Rick Nash and Sidney Crosby helped Canada earn a gold medal at the Winter Olympics twice (2010 and 2014). Nash and Crosby were also both selected first overall in the NHL Entry Draft (Nash – 2002; Crosby – 2005).
• Henrik Lundqvist and Carl Hagelin helped Sweden earn a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Brendan Smith and Riley Sheahan were teammates with the Red Wings for parts of four seasons (2013-14 – 2016-17).
• Michael Grabner and Matt Hunwick were teammates with the Maple Leafs for one season (2015-16).
• Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Ian Cole represented the United States at the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, and all three players helped the United States earn a silver medal at the 2007 IIHF World U18 Championship.
• Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes, Paul Carey, and Brian Dumoulin all helped Boston College win the National Championship in 2011-12.
• Ryan McDonagh and Justin Schultz were teammates at the University of Wisconsin for one season (2009-10).
• Chris Kreider and Brian Dumoulin helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Phil Kessel was selected by Boston in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft; Boston’s General Manager was Jeff Gorton.
• J.T. Miller is a native of East Palestine, OH (near the border between Pennsylvania and Ohio), and he grew up a Penguins fan.
• Marc Staal and Matt Murray are both natives of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
• Steven Kampfer and Ian Cole are both natives of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
• Henrik Lundqvist and Sidney Crosby were both selected to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2005-06. In addition, Lundqvist and Evgeni Malkin were both selected to the NHL’s First All-Star Team in 2011-12, while Lundqvist and Kris Letang were both selected to the NHL’s Second All-Star Team in 2012-13.
• Jamie Oleksiak and J.T. Miller were selected with back-to-back picks in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (Oleksiak – 14th overall by Dallas; Miller – 15th overall by the Rangers). 

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. PENGUINS

• Henrik Lundqvist – 62 GP, 29-22-11, 2.51 GAA, .913 SV%, 4 SO – Lundqvist has appeared in more games against the Penguins than against any other opponent in his NHL career. Lundqvist has helped the Rangers earn at least one point in 13 of his last 17 appearances against Pittsburgh, dating back to Apr. 3, 2013 (7-4-6 record, 2.57 GAA, .917 SV%, 2 SO over the span).
• Rick Nash – 30 GP, 14-9-23 – Nash has tallied 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in his last 12 games against Pittsburgh, and he has notched a goal/point in three of his last six contests against the Penguins (three goals, one assist). Including playoff games, Nash has recorded 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in his last 22 contests against Pittsburgh.
• Michael Grabner – 32 GP, 11-6-17 – Grabner has played in more games and has tallied more goals and points against the Penguins than against any other opponent in his NHL career. He has registered a goal in six of his last 13 games against Pittsburgh and has tallied nine points (six goals, three assists) over the span.
• Mats Zuccarello – 25 GP, 4-14-18 – Zuccarello has recorded 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in his last 19 contests against the Penguins.
• David Desharnais – 25 GP, 7-10-17 – Desharnais has registered a point in each of the last four games against Pittsburgh (four goals, two assists), and he has recorded 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in his last 14 contests against the Penguins.
• Ryan McDonagh – 29 GP, 5-9-14 – McDonagh’s five goals against the Penguins are tied for the most he has recorded against one opponent in his NHL career. He has tallied five points (one goal, four assists) in his last six games against Pittsburgh, as well as seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last nine contests against the Penguins.
• J.T. Miller – 15 GP, 3-6-9 – Miller has registered six points (one goal, five assists) in the last four games against Pittsburgh.
• Kevin Hayes – 14 GP, 3-4-7 – Hayes has posted a multi-point game in two of his last seven contests against Pittsburgh (one goal, three assists over the span).
• Mika Zibanejad – 12 GP, 2-5-7 – Zibanejad has registered seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last nine games against Pittsburgh, including four assists/points in his last four contests against the Penguins.
• Kevin Shattenkirk – 11 GP, 2-4-6 – Shattenkirk has registered a point in five of his last six games against Pittsburgh (one goal, four assists).

RANGERS CONNECTIONS (IN ADDITION TO CURRENTLY PLAYING WITH THE BLUESHIRTS)

• Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Shattenkirk have represented the United States together in several tournaments, including the 2014 Winter Olympics, the 2011 IIHF World Championship, the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, and the 2007 IIHF World U18 Championship. McDonagh, Shattenkirk, and Chris Kreider were all teammates with Team USA at the 2011 IIHF World Championship.
• Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Brendan Smith were all selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (McDonagh – 12th overall by Montreal; Shattenkirk – 14th overall by Colorado; Smith – 27th overall by Detroit).
• Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith were teammates at the University of Wisconsin for three seasons (2007-08 – 2009-10).
• Paul Carey, Chris Kreider, and Kevin Hayes were all teammates at Boston College for two seasons (2010-11 and 2011-12) and helped Boston College win the National Championship in 2011-12; Carey and Kreider were teammates for three seasons (2009-10 – 2011-12) and helped Boston College win two National Championships (2009-10 and 2011-12).
• Brady Skjei and Vinni Lettieri were teammates at the University of Minnesota for two seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15).
• Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey were friends growing up in Massachusetts.
• J.T. Miller and Jimmy Vesey helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Kevin Hayes and Brady Skjei represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
• Michael Grabner’s first head coach in the NHL was Alain Vigneault (2009-10 with Vancouver).
• Paul Carey and Nick Holden were teammates with Colorado for parts of two seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15).
• Paul Carey and Kevin Shattenkirk were teammates with Washington for part of one season (2016-17).
• Nick Holden and Rick Nash were teammates with Columbus for part of one season (2010-11).
• Kevin Shattenkirk is a native of New Rochelle, New York. He was a Rangers fan growing up, and his favorite player was Brian Leetch.

BACK-TO-BACK

The Rangers conclude their sixth of 11 back-to-back sets during the 2017-18 season today. The Rangers have posted a 3-2-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back set this season. New York’s 11 back-to-back sets this season are tied for the fewest among Eastern Conference teams. Since the start of last season, the Blueshirts have posted a 14-7-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back set. In their last 103 back-to-back sets (since the start of the 2010-11 season), the Rangers have posted a 67-30-6 record in the second game of the set.

TEAM EFFORT

The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that have 14 players who have recorded 13 or more points this season (along with Winnipeg). The Blueshirts are the only NHL team that has nine players who have registered eight or more goals thus far in 2017-18.

TAKING THE METRO

The Rangers have earned at least one point in nine of 14 games against Metropolitan Division opponents this season (6-5-3 record) and have posted a 5-2-1 record in their last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

ROAD WARRIORS

The Rangers are tied for the NHL lead – and lead the Eastern Conference – in road wins since the start of last season (34; 34-20-4 record in 58 road games). In addition, New York is tied for the NHL lead – and leads Eastern Conference teams – in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (106).

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist has been selected to participate in the 2018 NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 28 in Tampa Bay. He has been named an NHL All-Star for the fourth time in his career (also in 2009, 2011, and 2012). Among NHL goaltenders who have appeared in at least 20 games this season, Lundqvist is tied for fifth in SV% (.923). He has posted a 5-2-2 record, along with a 2.14 GAA and a .941 SV% (332 saves on 353 shots) in his last 10 appearances. In addition, he has posted a 17-6-2 record, along with a 2.35 GAA, a .930 SV%, and 1 SO in 27 appearances since Oct. 31 vs. Vegas; he is tied for third in the NHL in wins over the span, and he also ranks third in SV% among goaltenders who have appeared in at least 20 games over the stretch. Lundqvist has posted a .900 SV% or better in each of his last 13 starts, dating back to Dec. 1 vs. Carolina. Lundqvist’s stretch of 13 consecutive starts with a .900 SV% or better is tied for the second-longest streak of his career (career-best is 14; Jan. 17, 2012 – Feb. 27, 2012). He earned his 424th career NHL win on Jan. 6 at Arizona, passing Tony Esposito for sole possession of eighth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list.

Lundqvist enters today’s contest with 19 wins in 2017-18. With his next win this season, Lundqvist would…

• become the first goaltender in NHL history to earn 20 or more wins in each of his first 13 seasons
• become the first goaltender in NHL history to earn at least 20 wins in 13 consecutive seasons at any point during the course of a career (Lundqvist, Martin Brodeur, and Tony Esposito are the only goaltenders who have registered 20 or more wins in 12 straight seasons)
• become the sixth goaltender in NHL history to earn 20 or more wins in at least 13 different seasons throughout a career (Patrick Roy – 17; Martin Brodeur – 16; Ed Belfour – 15; Tony Esposito – 13; Chris Osgood – 13).

MIKA MAGIC

Mika Zibanejad has registered a goal/point in each of the last two games (two goals) and in three of the last four games (three goals). He ranks second on the Rangers in goals this season (14).

UP FOR GRABS

Michael Grabner is one of three NHL players who has registered at least 40 goals and a plus-35 rating since the start of last season (along with Connor McDavid and Brad Marchand).

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello tallied his 200th career NHL assist today against the Islanders. He leads the Rangers in several categories this season, including assists (24) and points (32).

IT’S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller leads the Rangers in assists (10) and points (14) on the road this season. In addition, Miller leads the Blueshirts in assists (18) and points (25) in 28 games against Eastern Conference opponents in 2017-18.

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh is one of 10 NHL defensemen who have registered at least 19 points and a plus-10 rating this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 1-for-3 (4:54) today vs. NY Islanders.
• New York has tallied a power play goal in three of the last five games.

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 2-for-2 (4:00) today vs. NY Islanders.
• New York is tied for third in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this season (83.9%; 115-for-137).
• The Blueshirts have not allowed a power-play goal in 11 of the last 16 games (45-for-50; 90.0%) and in 12 of the last 18 games (49-for-55; 89.1%).
• The Rangers have killed off 85 of their opponents’ last 97 power play opportunities (87.6%).
• The Rangers have not allowed more than one power-play goal in 42 of 43 games this season, including each of the last 41 contests.  

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Mats Zuccarello – 6 goals away from 100 in his NHL career; 6 points away from 300 in his NHL career

INJURIES (33 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

• Chris Kreider (blood clot – right arm) – has missed six games

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• Jan. 12 – Recalled Vinni Lettieri from Hartford (AHL)
• Jan. 8 – Assigned Vinni Lettieri to Hartford (AHL)

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

• Jan. 14, 1954 – Johnny Bower earned his first career NHL shutout, stopping all 39 shots he faced as the Rangers defeated the Chicago Black Hawks, 2-0.