ICYMI, Rick Nash (deep bone bruise) is expected to play his first game since Jan. 22, and Henrik Lundqvist (neck spasms) and Marc Staal (back spasms) are also expected to return today in Motown. Derick Brassard (flu) did not fly with the team Friday, but it’s possible he joins the team in Detroit today.
At Friday’s practice, Nash played on a line with Eric Staal and Viktor Stalberg.
Pre-game notes courtesy of the NYR:
NEW YORK RANGERS at DETROIT RED WINGS
Saturday, Mar. 12, 2016, 2:00 p.m. ET
Joe Louis Arena – Detroit, MI
Rangers: 39-22-6 (84 pts)
Red Wings: 33-23-11 (77 pts)
TODAY’S GAME
The Rangers play their 68th game of the 2015-16 season and begin a back-to-back set today, Mar. 12, against the Detroit Red Wings in an Original Six matchup at Joe Louis Arena (2:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). New York has won five of its last seven games (5-2-0), seven of its last 10 games (7-3-0), 12 of its last 17 games (12-4-1), and 15 of its last 22 games (15-6-1). The Rangers have earned at least one point in 22 of their last 32 games (20-10-2), including 21 of their last 30 games (19-9-2) and 20 of their last 28 games (18-8-2). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 39-22-6 record this season (84 points).
RANGERS VS. RED WINGS
- All-Time*: 216-261-103-2 (140-94-57-0 at home; 76-167-46-2 on the road) *Note: All-Time record includes games against the Detroit Cougars from 1926-27 – 1929-30 and the Detroit Falcons from 1930-31 – 1931-32
- 2015-16: Today’s game is the second of three meetings between the Rangers and Red Wings, and the only meeting between the two teams in Detroit. The Rangers have posted a 1-0-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 0-0-0 on the road) against Detroit. The Blueshirts defeated the Red Wings, 1-0, in overtime in the only meeting between the two teams on Feb. 21 at Madison Square Garden. Kevin Klein registered the game-winning goal in overtime and Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 22 shots he faced to earn a win and a shutout. Following today’s contest, the Rangers and Red Wings will play against each other on the following date: Apr. 9 (at MSG).
- The Rangers have earned at least one point in seven of their last eight games against Detroit, dating back to Mar. 21, 2012 (6-1-1).
- Six of the last 11 contests between New York and Detroit, including three of the last four games and each of the last two contests between the two teams, have been decided in overtime.
- Eleven of the last 13 games between the Rangers and Red Wings, including eight of the last nine games and each of the last four contests between the two teams, have been decided by one goal.
RANGERS-RED WINGS CONNECTIONS
- Brad Richards played three seasons with the Rangers (2011-12 – 2013-14). During his tenure with the Blueshirts, Richards tied a franchise record for game-winning goals in one season (nine; 2011-12) and helped the Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14.
- Ulf Samuelsson played part of one season with the Red Wings (1998-99).
- Red Wings Assistant Coach Tony Granato began his NHL career with the Rangers and played parts of two seasons with the team (1988-89 – 1989-90). Granato holds the Rangers record for most goals in a season by a rookie (36; 1988-89).
- Dan Boyle and Brad Richards were teammates with the Lightning for parts of six seasons (2001-02 – 2007-08) and helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in 2003-04.
- Ryan McDonagh, Derek Stepan, and Brendan Smith were all teammates at the University of Wisconsin for two seasons (2008-09 – 2009-10). McDonagh and Smith were teammates for three seasons (2007-08 – 2009-10).
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. RED WINGS
- Henrik Lundqvist – 9 GP, 5-3-1, 2.10 GAA, .933 SV%, 3 SO – Lundqvist enters the contest with a personal five-game winning streak against the Red Wings, dating back to Mar. 21, 2012 (0.78 GAA, .972 SV%, 3 SO over the span).
- Eric Staal – 17 GP, 2-11-13 – Staal has tallied four points (two goals, two assists) in his last two games against Detroit.
- Derick Brassard – 32 GP, 7-10-17 – Brassard has tallied a point in 10 of his last 13 games against Detroit (four goals, seven assists).
WINNING WAYS
The Rangers are tied for second in the NHL – and are tied for first among Eastern Conference teams – in wins since Jan. 16 (16).
ROAD WARRIORS
The Blueshirts lead the NHL with 69 road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season. The Rangers’ 69 road wins over the last three seasons are the most over any three-season span in franchise history. The Blueshirts have won seven of their last nine road games (7-2-0), including four of their last five road contests (4-1-0).
HIGH FIVE
The Rangers have posted a plus-35 goal differential at 5-on-5 this season (134 goals for; 99 goals against). The Blueshirts rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in 2015-16 (Washington leads the NHL; plus-38).
GOALS GALORE
Nine Rangers have tallied 10 or more goals in 2015-16. The Blueshirts have tallied three or more goals (including team goals awarded for a shootout win) in 41 of 67 games this season and have registered at least four goals in 24 contests. New York is tied for third in the NHL in games with three or more goals in 2015-16 (Dallas – 47; Washington – 44; Ottawa – 41).
TWO GOOD
The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of the last 17 games, in 19 of the last 32 games, and in 39 games this season. New York has posted a 34-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.
THIRD PERIOD IS THE CHARM
The Rangers have tallied at least one goal in the third period in 16 of their last 19 games, including two or more goals in the third period in eight of those contests (26 third period goals over the span). New York ranks third in the NHL in third period goals this season (77).
ON POINT
At least one Rangers defenseman has registered a point on 16 of the team’s last 22 goals. Blueshirts defensemen have recorded 135 points (31 goals, 104 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 78 points (19 goals, 59 assists) in the last 38 games.
THREE’S COMPANY
New York has posted a 34-13-4 record in the 51 games which Dan Girardi, Kevin Klein, and Derek Stepan have all been in the team’s lineup this season.
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 17 of his last 25 appearances, including 15 of his last 21 appearances and 14 of his last 19 appearances. He has posted a 14-6-1 record, along with a 2.01 GAA, a .929 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 21 appearances, including a 13-6-0 record, along with a 1.91 GAA, a .933 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 19 appearances. Lundqvist leads the NHL in even strength SV% this season (.940).
RICK ROLLING
Rick Nash ranks second on the Rangers in assists per game (0.47) and ranks third on the team in points per game (0.73) in 2015-16. Prior to his injury, Nash has recorded seven assists/points in the previous eight games and registered 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in the previous 28 contests.
WELCOME MATS
Mats Zuccarello has notched 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in the last 17 games. He has registered all of his 22 goals and 47 of his 51 points this season when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest. In addition, 46 of Zuccarello’s team-leading 51 points in 2015-16 have either been a goal or a primary assist.
BRASS BONANZA
Derick Brassard enters the contest with a three-game point streak (two goals, two assists) and has recorded 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in the last 19 games. He leads the Rangers – and is tied for seventh among Eastern Conference centers – in goals this season (24).
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan enters the contest with a three-game assist/point streak (one goal, three assists), and he has recorded a point in five of the last six games (two goals, four assists). He has tallied 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in the last 14 games, as well as 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in the last 24 contests. The Rangers have posted a 36-17-4 record in games which Stepan has played this season, including a 23-3-2 record in games which he has notched a point in 2015-16. He is one of three NHL centers who have recorded at least 15 goals and 55 takeaways this season (along with Patrice Bergeron and John Tavares).
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan McDonagh is the only NHL defenseman who has recorded at least 30 points and a plus-19 rating in 2015-16. The Rangers captain has tallied 30 or more points in each of the last three seasons (2013-14 – 2015-16) and in four of six seasons in his NHL career. McDonagh has registered a point in four of the last six games (one goal, four assists) and has tallied 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in his last 21 contests.
TOO HOT TO YANDLE
Keith Yandle enters the contest with a three-game point streak (one goal, two assists). He is one of five NHL defensemen who have tallied at least 30 assists, 20 primary assists, and 20 even strength assists this season (along with Erik Karlsson, P.K. Subban, Andrei Markov, and Victor Hedman). Yandle has registered a point in 36 of 67 games in 2015-16, and he leads the Rangers in games with a point this season. In addition, he leads Blueshirts defensemen in points (38) in 2015-16. Yandle has notched a point in 15 of the last 22 games (three goals, 12 assists), including 10 of the last 14 games (one goal, nine assists).
BOYLE-ING POINT
Dan Boyle registered his 600th career NHL point on Mar. 6 vs. NY Islanders, becoming the 36th defenseman in NHL history to accomplish the feat. Boyle, who has recorded 19 points in 2015-16, tallied 20 or more points in 14 consecutive seasons prior to the start of this season (2000-01 – 2014-15).
IT’S MILLER TIME
J.T. Miller leads the Rangers in goals (12), points (23), and plus/minus rating (plus-six) on the road this season. He also leads the Rangers in goals since Dec. 12 (14).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
- The Rangers were 1-for-2 (2:54) on Mar. 8 at Buffalo.
- The Blueshirts have recorded a PPG in each of the last three games (3-for-7; 42.9%) and in eight of the last 13 games (9-for-29; 31.0%).
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were 2-for-2 (4:00) on Mar. 8 at Buffalo.
BLUESHIRT BULLETS
- Dan Girardi ranks third in the NHL (min. 10 games played) in blocked shots per game (2.7) and ranks sixth in the NHL in blocked shots (162) this season.
- The Rangers have posted a 35-15-4 record in games which Kevin Klein has played in 2015-16.
- Eric Staal ranks third on the Rangers in shots on goal (12) and ranks fourth among team forwards in average ice time (16:23) since he made his debut with the Blueshirts on Feb. 29.
- Kevin Hayes has tallied a point in seven of the last 14 games, recording nine points (four goals, five assists) over the span.
- Tanner Glass leads the NHL in hits since Jan. 11 (110), and he has recorded at least two hits in 37 of 41 games in which he has played since he was recalled on Dec. 2 (161 hits over the span).
- Marc Staal has logged at least 20:00 of ice time in 25 of his last 48 games, including 9 of his last 12 contests.
- Jesper Fast has recorded a goal in two of the last three games (two goals over the span) and he has registered 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in his last 20 contests.
- Chris Kreider is one of five NHL players who have registered at least 50 goals, 100 points, a plus-40 rating, and 200 penalty minutes since 2012-13 (along with Corey Perry, Milan Lucic, Brad Marchand, and James Neal).
- Oscar Lindberg is tied for second among NHL rookies in games with a plus/minus rating of even or better this season (55; Lindberg has played 64 games thus far in 2015-16).
- The Rangers have posted a 10-2-4 record when Viktor Stalberg has tallied a point this season, including a 5-0-3 record when he has registered a goal.
- Dominic Moore ranks sixth in the NHL (min. 500 faceoffs taken) in faceoff win percentage since Nov. 15 (57.7; 325-for-563).
- Antti Raanta is tied for second among NHL goaltenders (min. 25 appearances) in GAA (2.19) and is tied for fifth in SV% (.924) since the start of the 2014-15 season.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- Viktor Stalberg – 1 game away from 400 in his NHL career
- Kevin Klein – 4 assists away from 100 in his NHL career
INJURIES (77 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
- Dylan McIlrath (knee; injury suffered on Mar. 6) – week-to-week
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
- 7 – Recalled Brady Skjei from Hartford (AHL) on an emergency basis
- 9 – Assigned Brady Skjei and Magnus Hellberg to Hartford (AHL)
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- Mar. 11, 1992 – The Rangers recorded seven goals on 31 shots against Ed Belfour and Dominik Hasek in a 7-1 win against the Chicago Blackhawks at MSG. Mike Gartner tallied a hat trick, while Brian Leetch registered four assists and Mark Messier added three assists.
- Mar. 12, 1933 – Bill Cook established a franchise record for points in one period by tallying five (three goals, two assists) in the third period of the Rangers’ 8-2 win against the New York Americans. Cook tallied his 11th and final hat trick with the Rangers in the contest, and he still holds the franchise record for career hat tricks.
Twitter: @RangersReport.
Photo by the Associated Press.
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