RANGERS ROLL THE DICE WITH VEGAS TONIGHT

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017, 7:00 p.m. ET
Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
Rangers: 3-7-2 (8 pts)
Golden Knights: 8-2-0 (16 pts) 

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

TODAY’S GAME

The Rangers play their 13th game of the 2017-18 season today’s, Oct. 31, against the Vegas Golden Knights at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). Today’s contest is the Rangers’ 10th home game of the season, as well as their 13th and final game in October this season. The Blueshirts have won two of their last four games (2-2-0 record) and have earned at least one point in four of their last six contests (2-2-2 record). 

RANGERS VS. GOLDEN KNIGHTS

• All-Time: Today’s game is the first all-time meeting between the Rangers and Golden Knights.
• 2017-18: Today’s game is the first of two meetings between the Rangers and Golden Knights, and the only meeting between the two teams at MSG. Following Today’s contest, the Rangers and Golden Knights will play against each other on the following date: Jan. 7 (at Vegas).

RANGERS’ FIRST GAME VS. NHL OPPONENTS

The Rangers have posted a 23-5-1-0 record in their first all-time game against the other 29 teams currently in the NHL (not including Vegas). Here is how the Rangers have fared in each of their first all-time meetings against teams currently in the NHL:

Sorted by Opponent:

• Anaheim: Oct. 19, 1993, at MSG (L, 2-4)
• Arizona: Nov. 21, 1979, at MSG (L, 4-6) – against the Winnipeg Jets
• Boston: Dec. 7, 1926, at Boston (W, 1-0)
• Buffalo: Oct. 14, 1970, at MSG (W, 3-0)
• Calgary: Nov. 21, 1972, at Atlanta (W, 3-1) – against the Atlanta Flames
• Carolina: Oct. 28, 1979, at MSG (T, 2-2) – against the Hartford Whalers
• Chicago: Nov. 30, 1926, at MSG (W, 4-3)
• Colorado: Nov. 10, 1979, at MSG (W, 5-4) – against the Quebec Nordiques
• Columbus: Feb. 12, 2001, at Columbus (W, 4-3)
• Dallas: Nov. 19, 1967, at MSG (W, 5-2) – against the Minnesota North Stars
• Detroit: Dec. 4, 1926, at Detroit (L, 0-1) – against the Detroit Cougars
• Edmonton: Oct. 24, 1979, at MSG (W, 10-2)
• Florida: Nov. 16, 1993, at Florida (W, 4-2)
• Los Angeles: Oct. 31, 1967, at Los Angeles (W, 6-1)
• Minnesota: Nov. 15, 2000, at Minnesota (W, 3-2)
• Montreal: Nov. 27, 1926, at Montreal (W, 2-0)
• Nashville: Nov. 29, 1998, at MSG (W, 5-1)
• New Jersey: Dec. 29, 1974, at MSG (W, 2-1) – against the Kansas City Scouts
• NY Islanders: Oct. 21, 1972, at Long Island (W, 2-1)
• Ottawa: Oct. 24, 1992, at Ottawa (W, 3-2)
• Philadelphia: Nov. 16, 1967, at Philadelphia (L, 2-3)
• Pittsburgh: Oct. 22, 1967, at MSG (W, 6-4)
• San Jose: Dec. 16, 1991, at MSG (W, 4-3)
• St. Louis: Nov. 26, 1967, at MSG (W, 1-0)
• Tampa Bay: Nov. 9, 1992, at MSG (L, 1-5)
• Toronto: Nov. 20, 1926, at Toronto (W, 5-1) – against the Toronto St. Patricks
• Vancouver: Dec. 6, 1970, at MSG (W, 4-1)
• Vegas: Oct. 31, 2017, at MSG
• Washington: Oct. 9, 1974, at MSG (W, 6-3)
• Winnipeg: Oct. 17, 1999, at MSG (W, 4-1) – against the Atlanta Thrashers 

Sorted by Date (chronological order):

• Toronto: Nov. 20, 1926, at Toronto (W, 5-1) – against the Toronto St. Patricks
• Montreal: Nov. 27, 1926, at Montreal (W, 2-0)
• Chicago: Nov. 30, 1926, at MSG (W, 4-3)
• Detroit: Dec. 4, 1926, at Detroit (L, 0-1) – against the Detroit Cougars
• Boston: Dec. 7, 1926, at Boston (W, 1-0)
• Pittsburgh: Oct. 22, 1967, at MSG (W, 6-4)
• Los Angeles: Oct. 31, 1967, at Los Angeles (W, 6-1)
• Philadelphia: Nov. 16, 1967, at Philadelphia (L, 2-3)
• Dallas: Nov. 19, 1967, at MSG (W, 5-2) – against the Minnesota North Stars
• St. Louis: Nov. 26, 1967, at MSG (W, 1-0)
• Buffalo: Oct. 14, 1970, at MSG (W, 3-0)
• Vancouver: Dec. 6, 1970, at MSG (W, 4-1)
• NY Islanders: Oct. 21, 1972, at Long Island (W, 2-1)
• Calgary: Nov. 21, 1972, at Atlanta (W, 3-1) – against the Atlanta Flames
• Washington: Oct. 9, 1974, at MSG (W, 6-3)
• New Jersey: Dec. 29, 1974, at MSG (W, 2-1) – against the Kansas City Scouts
• Edmonton: Oct. 24, 1979, at MSG (W, 10-2)
• Carolina: Oct. 28, 1979, at MSG (T, 2-2) – against the Hartford Whalers
• Colorado: Nov. 10, 1979, at MSG (W, 5-4) – against the Quebec Nordiques
• Arizona: Nov. 21, 1979, at MSG (L, 4-6) – against the Winnipeg Jets
• San Jose: Dec. 16, 1991, at MSG (W, 4-3)
• Ottawa: Oct. 24, 1992, at Ottawa (W, 3-2)
• Tampa Bay: Nov. 9, 1992, at MSG (L, 1-5)
• Anaheim: Oct. 19, 1993, at MSG (L, 2-4)
• Florida: Nov. 16, 1993, at Florida (W, 4-2)
• Nashville: Nov. 29, 1998, at MSG (W, 5-1)
• Winnipeg: Oct. 17, 1999, at MSG (W, 4-1) – against the Atlanta Thrashers
• Minnesota: Nov. 15, 2000, at Minnesota (W, 3-2)
• Columbus: Feb. 12, 2001, at Columbus (W, 4-3)
• Vegas: Oct. 31, 2017, at MSG

RANGERS-GOLDEN KNIGHTS CONNECTIONS

• Oscar Lindberg played parts of three seasons with the Rangers (2014-15 – 2016-17). He was claimed by Vegas in the NHL Expansion Draft on June 21, 2017.
• Vegas General Manager George McPhee began his NHL career with the Rangers and played parts of four seasons with the Blueshirts (1983-84 – 1986-87).
• Brendan Smith and Reilly Smith are brothers.
• Jonathan Marchessault played one season with the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Connecticut Whale (2011-12).
• Vegas Assistant Coach Ryan McGill served as the Head Coach for the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, for three seasons (2002-03 – 2004-05).
• Kevin Shattenkirk and David Perron were teammates with the Blues for parts of four seasons (2010-11 – 2012-13; 2016-17).
• Brady Skjei, Erik Haula, and Nate Schmidt were all teammates at the University of Minnesota for one season (2012-13).
• Henrik Lundqvist and Oscar Lindberg helped Sweden win a gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
• Jesper Fast and Oscar Lindberg represented Sweden at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Jesper Fast and William Karlsson were teammates with HV71 in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for one season (2012-13).
• Brendan Smith and Tomas Nosek were teammates with the Red Wings for part of one season (2015-16).
• Michael Grabner and Brendan Leipsic were teammates with the Maple Leafs for part of one season (2015-16).
• Boo Nieves and Jon Merrill were teammates at the University of Michigan for one season (2012-13).
• Steven Kampfer and Erik Haula were teammates with the Minnesota Wild’s AHL affiliate for parts of two seasons (2012-13 and 2013-14).
• Steven Kampfer and Reilly Smith were teammates with the Panthers for parts of two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17).
• Paul Carey and Nate Schmidt were teammates with the Capitals for parts of two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17).
• Steven Kampfer and Clayton Stoner were teammates with the Wild for part of one season (2011-12).
• Kevin Shattenkirk and Brad Hunt were teammates with the Blues for part of one season (2016-17).
• Mats Zuccarello, Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and Luca Sbisa were all teammates with Team Europe at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
• Chris Kreider and Jon Merrill helped the United States win a bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• J.T. Miller and Jon Merrill represented the United States at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Vegas Head Coach Gerard Gallant served as Rick Nash’s head coach for parts of three seasons with the Blue Jackets (2003-04 – 2006-07). Gallant was also an Assistant Coach with Columbus when Nash entered the NHL in 2002-03.
• Vegas Assistant Coach Mike Kelly served as a member of Alain Vigneault’s coaching staff for three seasons (2006-07 and 2007-08 with Vancouver; 2005-06 with Manitoba in the AHL).
• Steven Kampfer was coached by Gerard Gallant in Florida for parts of three seasons (2014-15 – 2016-17).
• Boo Nieves and Alex Tuch were both born in Syracuse, New York.

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).
• 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.

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers have registered at least three goals in five of the last six games, including four or more goals in four of those contests (21 goals over the span), and 12 different Blueshirts have tallied a goal in the six contests. The Blueshirts are tied for fifth in the NHL in goals for since Oct. 17 (21). New York has recorded at least four goals in each of the last two games (nine goals over the span). Through 12 games this season, 14 different Rangers have registered at least one goal, and 11 different Rangers have tallied at least two goals. The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that have at least 11 players who have registered two or more goals this season (New Jersey – 12).

EVEN IT UP

The Blueshirts have 14 players who have recorded an even-strength goal this season. The Rangers are tied for seventh in the NHL in players who have tallied at least one even-strength goal in 2017-18. 

FIRST IN SCORE

The Rangers have recorded the first goal of the game in four of the last eight contests and in five of the last 10 contests. The Blueshirts have posted a 3-2-0 record in games which they tallied the first goal thus far in 2017-18. New York is tied for sixth in the NHL in first period goals this season (12).

HOT AT THE DOT

Among NHL players who have taken at least 100 faceoffs this season, J.T. Miller and David Desharnais rank second and third in the NHL, respectively, in faceoff win percentage (Miller – 62.7%; Desharnais – 62.0%).

SHOOTING GALLERY

The Blueshirts have registered at least 30 shots on goal in seven of the last nine games and in nine of 12 games in 2017-18.

AV SQUAD

Alain Vigneault has earned 617 career wins as an NHL head coach, and he is one win away from passing Jacques Lemaire for sole possession of 13th place on the league’s all-time wins list among head coaches. Vigneault leads all Rangers head coaches (min. 100 games coached) in points percentage in franchise history (.618).

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist has earned 407 career NHL wins, and he is one win away from passing Glenn Hall for sole possession of ninth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list. He has been selected as one of the game’s Three Stars in 299 of his 751 career NHL appearances.

BUCH BOOST

Pavel Buchnevich has tallied a goal in each of the last two games (three goals over the span), and he posted his first career multi-goal game in the NHL by tallying two goals on Oct. 26 vs. Arizona. Buchnevich enters the contest with a three-game point streak (three goals, one assist, plus-four rating), and he has recorded five points (four goals, one assist) in the last six games.

MIKA MAGIC

Mika Zibanejad enters the contest with a three-game point streak (two goals, two assists), and he has recorded a point in eight of 12 games this season. He is tied for second in the NHL in power play goals (four) and is tied for eighth in the NHL in goals (seven) this season, and he is also tied for fourth in the NHL in games with a goal in 2017-18 (six).

IT’S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller recorded two assists and won six of eight faceoffs (75.0%) on Oct. 28 at Montreal. Miller has tallied seven points (one goal, six assists) in the last seven games. He leads the Rangers in assists (eight) and is tied for the team lead in points (10) this season. In addition, he has won 13 of 16 faceoffs he has taken over the last two games (81.3%).

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh has tallied an assist/point in each of the last two games (two assists) and in four of the last six games (four assists). McDonagh has skated in 233 games as the Rangers captain since being named the 27th captain in franchise history on Oct. 6, 2014, and he is one game away from passing Kelly Kisio for the sixth-most games played as the Rangers’ captain in franchise history. The only players who have played more games while serving as the Rangers’ captain than McDonagh has thus far in his career are Mark Messier (697), Bill Cook (475), Bob Nevin (449), Barry Beck (307), and George “Red” Sullivan (280).

SHATT STATS

Kevin Shattenkirk is tied for second among NHL defensemen in primary assists this season (five), and he leads Rangers defensemen in primary assists, assists (seven), and points (nine) thus far in 2017-18.

RICK ROLLING

Rick Nash skated in his 1,000th career NHL game on Oct. 26 vs. Arizona. He became the 312th player in NHL history (314th including goaltenders) to play in at least 1,000 career games, and he also became the 22nd player to skate in his 1,000th career NHL game while playing with the Rangers.

BOO!

Boo Nieves registered three assists/points, including his first career NHL assist/point, while skating in his second career NHL game on Oct. 26 vs. Arizona. He became the first Ranger to post a three-point game in one of his first two NHL games since Derek Stepan on Oct. 9, 2010, at Buffalo and the first Ranger to post a three-assist game in one of his first two NHL games since Dominic Moore on Nov. 1, 2003, at Montreal. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 1-for-4 (5:07) on Oct. 28 in Montreal.
• The Blueshirts rank 12th in the NHL in power play efficiency in 2017-18 (19.1%; 9-for-47) and are tied for seventh in the NHL in power play goals this season.
• New York has tallied a power play goal in six of 12 games this season.

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 5-for-6 (10:18) on Oct. 28 in Montreal.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Brady Skjei – 1 game away from 100 in his NHL career
• Mika Zibanejad – 2 points away from 200 in his NHL career
• Chris Kreider – 4 assists away from 100 in his NHL career
• Mats Zuccarello – 5 games away from 400 in his NHL career
• Nick Holden – 5 points away from 100 in his NHL career

INJURIES (5 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

• None

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• Oct. 25 – Assigned Adam Cracknell to Hartford (AHL)
• Oct. 24 – Assigned Tony DeAngelo to Hartford (AHL); recalled Boo Nieves from Hartford (AHL)

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

• Oct. 30, 1964 – Emile Francis was named the Rangers’ General Manager, replacing Muzz Patrick.
• Oct. 30, 1988 – The Rangers and Penguins registered a total of 292 penalty minutes as the Blueshirts defeated Pittsburgh, 9-2, at MSG. The Rangers’ 134 penalty minutes and the 292 penalty minutes between the Rangers and their opponent are both single-game franchise records.
• Oct. 31, 1967 – Rod Gilbert recorded his 100th career NHL goal as the Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Kings, 6-1, in the first all-time meeting between the two teams. Each member of the G-A-G Line registered a goal in the contest.
• Oct. 31, 1970 – The Rangers acquired Pete Stemkowski in a trade with the Detroit Red Wings.
• Oct. 31, 1987 – Marcel Dionne tallied his 700th career NHL goal, becoming the third player in NHL history (at the time) to register 700 career goals (along with Gordie Howe and Phil Esposito).
• Oct. 31, 1990 – The Rangers won their eighth consecutive home game to begin the 1990-91 season, defeating the Los Angeles Kings, 9-4, at MSG. The eight consecutive home wins to begin a season are the most the Blueshirts have registered in franchise history. Brian Leetch, John Ogrodnick, and Darren Turcotte all tallied three points in the contest, and Mike Richter made 38 saves to earn the win.
• Oct. 31, 1993 – Mike Gartner and Sergei Nemchinov both tallied three points (two goals, one assist apiece) as the Rangers defeated the New Jersey Devils, 4-1, in a neutral site game in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Mike Keenan also earned his 350th career win as an NHL head coach.
• Oct. 31, 1995 – Brian Leetch recorded two assists/points, including his 500th career NHL point, as the Rangers defeated the San Jose Sharks, 5-3. Leetch became the ninth player – and the second defenseman – in franchise history (at the time) to record at least 500 points as a member of the Blueshirts.

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