RANGERS SLIDE CONTINUES WITH 4-1 LOSS IN MINNY 

OFFICIAL GAME REPORTS     GOALIES
Game Summary                                   MIN: D. Dubnyk (W)     NYR: A. Georgiev (L)
Event Summary

–       ALL-AMERICAN – The Rangers had 10 American-born players in their lineup tonight (Miller, Hayes, Kreider, Vesey, Carey, Pionk, O’Gara, Skjei, DeAngelo, Lettieri), which was tied for the most American-born players the Rangers have had in their lineup in one game in franchise history (according to the Elias Sports Bureau).

–       STAYING DISCIPLINED – The Rangers were only shorthanded once in tonight’s contest. The Blueshirts were shorthanded two or fewer times in a game for the fifth time in the last six contests and for the eighth time in the last 13 games.

–       HITTING MACHINE – The Blueshirts were credited with 26 hits in tonight’s contest, including 15 in the first period, as 13 of 18 skaters recorded at least one hit in the game.

–       Jesper Fast tallied a goal and led all Rangers forwards with 16:58 of ice time in tonight’s game. He is tied for fifth on the Rangers in even-strength goals this season (nine).

–       J.T. Miller recorded an assist, tied for the team-high with four shots on goal, and tied for the game-high with two takeaways in 16:16 of ice time. Miller’s assist was his 100th career NHL assist. He has registered 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in the last 13 games. Miller leads the Rangers in even strength assists (21), and ranks second on the team in assists (27) and points (39) this season.

–       Alexandar Georgiev made 33 saves in tonight’s contest and stopped all 14 shots he faced in the second period. He has made at least 30 saves in each of his first two career NHL games (71 saves on 77 shots; .922 SV% in the two contests).

–       Chris Kreider tied for the game-high with four hits and recorded two shots on goal in 15:59 of ice time. He skated in his first game since Dec. 27.

–       Cody McLeod tied for the game-high with four hits and registered one shot on goal in 13:02 of ice time.

• Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers head coach

On tonight’s game…

“We came out with a lot of energy in the first. We spent some good, quality time in their end, but just didn’t get anything from it 5-on-5. They had a couple looks, unfortunately, and they were able to capitalize on those. We came back and made it a game in the second, we were down by one goal, but then they got that tip in the third. We just didn’t have enough to come back.” 

On Chris Kreider…

“I thought he brought us some good energy. The speed that he brings, that take-away speed that he has where he can push the other team’s defense, it was there. You saw a young man there that was out for quite some time with a serious injury. He really worked his way back and wanted to come back and help the team. It was good to see.” 

On staying positive during the team’s losing streak…

“I mean, we’re in a result-oriented business. Everybody here wants to win. We came out tonight, the guys were ready. In my mind, we worked hard, and we had some good time. We just weren’t able to make the plays that we needed to make to get something out of that. The effort and preparation is there, we just have to stay with it.” 

On Alexandar Georgiev…

“He was fine. He had a couple saves to make, and he made a couple of big saves. He gave us a chance, and that’s what you want.”

• Bruce Boudreau, Minnesota Wild head coach

On sweeping three-game road trip…

“Well, it obviously means getting six points, but we have never done that before. Anytime you do something you haven’t done before, it’s pretty cool.” 

On putting Granlund, Staal, and Zucker together …

“To be honest, every time Zuck [Zucker] is on the ice with Staalzy [Staal], they seem to generate something. Granny [Granlund] had been in a little slump so I thought ‘let’s try it for a period and see how it goes,’ and it worked.”

• Chris Kreider, New York Rangers forward

On how it felt to be back on the ice…

“Awesome. It was exciting. No place I’d rather be.”

On his emotions tonight…

“I felt like it was my first NHL game again. I was kind of nervous all day. It was definitely an emotional game for me, thinking about where I was six weeks ago and the position I was in, kind of reflecting on all of the support that I had. It’s hard because obviously, the team is going through a rough time, but I couldn’t stop smiling. I’m just happy to be playing hockey again.”

On his perspective coming back to play hockey…

“That I’m really lucky to be playing hockey at all, let alone in the NHL. It’s hard not to appreciate every single game at this point, especially this first one. The right word is perspective, so I was happy to be out there and happy to be with my teammates. I’m just trying to appreciate every moment.”

• Alexandar Georgiev, New York Rangers goaltender 

On playing at Madison Square Garden…

“It’s an amazing feeling, playing in this arena.  I love the crowd, how they were cheering us on.  It’s much nicer to play when everyone is cheering for you.  Awesome atmosphere and fun to play at.”

On what he learned from playing two NHL games the past two nights…

“Those players can create chances out of nothing.  You just have to be focused all the time and expect everything from them.”

On how much fun playing is for him…

“It’s a lot of fun playing in these amazing buildings and with great players.  Just have to try to find a way to win and it’s going to be much more fun.”

• Marc Staal, New York Rangers defenseman

On the Wild top line scoring four goals tonight…

“That line was making a lot of plays and finding a lot of open ice.  They made some nice plays and it ended up in the back of our net.”

On giving up a goal early in the period…

“It’s tough for sure to give up.  We weren’t really getting much on them all night.  They’re not a team that gives you a lot so it’s hard to be down 3-1.  You start pressing, trying to create something and they’re a team that ends up capitalizing on the opportunities you give them.”

On what stands out about Georgiev’s play…

“He competes hard.  He’s quick.  He’s made some really nice saves on some good chances.  It’s exciting – he’s a talented guy and he’s played really well the past couple of games.”

• Mikael Granlund, Minnesota Wild forward 

On playing on a line with Eric Staal…

“He’s really good all-around with his speed and his ability to read the game really well.  He makes good choices on the ice.  He looks like he doesn’t do anything too fancy but he’s really good offensively and defensively.”

On ending his scoreless streak…

“Obviously, it’s always nice to score.  You get these times where you’re not scoring all the time.  You try to help your team in other ways.  It happens to everyone.  It’s always nice to get some offense going.”

• Eric Staal, Minnesota Wild forward

On having extra motivation to play at the Garden…

“There’s always motivation every night.  You always want to prove yourself.  It wasn’t ideal the way it went here but I’ve got some pride so you want to perform.  Tonight was one of those nights we caught them with some great plays and were fortunate to be able to capitalize.”

On his success playing with Mikael Granlund on his line…

“They’ve got a lot of young D.  They have everyone who has barely played.  When you see that, you have to take advantage of making plays and I think with Granny [Mikael Granlund], he’s such a deceptive great player that you find openings, find holes, and he can make plays.  You get that first one for him and I think it relaxes him so he can just go out and play.  The rest of the night, we seemed to take advantage of some of their young players.”

–       Tomorrow: Team is OFF
–       Next Game: Sunday, Feb. 25 vs. Detroit (7:30 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)
o  Jean Ratelle Night – ceremony begins at 6 p.m.; doors open at 5 p.m.

*Schedule subject to change