Pre-game notes courtesy of the NYR:
NEW YORK RANGERS at CAROLINA HURRICANES
Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, 7:00 p.m. ET
PNC Arena – Raleigh, NC
Rangers: 25-16-5 (55 pts)
Hurricanes: 21-19-8 (50 pts)
TONIGHT’S GAME
The Rangers play their 47th game of the 2015-16 season and begin a stretch of three games in four days tonight, Jan. 22, against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG 2; Radio: ESPN 1050 AM). The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in seven of their last 11 games (6-4-1), including six of their last nine games (5-3-1) and five of their last seven contests (4-2-1). The Rangers enter the contest with a 25-16-5 record this season (55 points).
RANGERS VS. HURRICANES
- All-Time*: 72-49-7-2 (44-17-4-2 at home; 28-32-3-0 on the road) *Note: record includes games against the Hartford Whalers from 1979-80 – 1996-97
- 2015-16: Tonight’s game is the third of four meetings between the Rangers and Hurricanes, and the first of two meetings between the two teams in Carolina. The Rangers have posted a 2-0-0 record (2-0-0 at home; 0-0-0 on the road) against Carolina. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Rangers defeated the Hurricanes, 4-3, on Nov. 30 at Madison Square Garden. Seven different Rangers have recorded a goal in the two games against Carolina, while five Blueshirts have registered two points thus far in the season series. Following tonight’s game, the Rangers and Hurricanes will face off against each other on the following date: Mar. 31 (at Carolina).
- The Rangers enter the contest with an eight-game winning streak against Carolina, dating back to Apr. 8, 2014. The Blueshirts have recorded three or more goals in six of the eight games and have allowed two goals or fewer in seven of the eight contests over the span.
- The Blueshirts have posted an 18-1-0 record in their last 19 games against the Hurricanes, dating back to Feb. 22, 2011. New York has outscored Carolina, 65-32, in the last 19 meetings between the two teams (60-32 in regulation/overtime).
- The Rangers have won 10 of their last 12 games on the road against Carolina, dating back to Dec. 21, 2009 (10-2-0 record).
RANGERS-HURRICANES CONNECTIONS
- Marc Staal, Eric Staal, and Jordan Staal are brothers. Marc, Eric, and Jordan are the only trio of brothers in the history of the NHL, NFL, MLB, or NBA who were all selected 12th overall or higher in the Draft.
- Ulf Samuelsson played parts of seven seasons with the Hartford Whalers (1984-85 – 1990-91).
- The Rangers selected Jesper Fast in the sixth round (157th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. The Rangers acquired the 157th overall pick in a trade with the Hurricanes.
- Viktor Stalberg and Kris Versteeg were traded for each other as part of a trade between Chicago and Toronto on June 30, 2010 (Stalberg was traded to the Blackhawks; Versteeg was traded to the Maple Leafs).
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. HURRICANES
- Henrik Lundqvist – 32 GP, 22-9-1, 2.06 GAA, .928 SV%, 2 SO – In his last 16 appearances against the Hurricanes (dating back to Jan. 5, 2011), Lundqvist has posted a 14-2-0 record, along with a 1.71 GAA, a .945 SV%, and 1 SO.
- Mats Zuccarello – 17 GP, 2-15-17 – Zuccarello enters the contest with an 11-game point streak against the Hurricanes, dating back to Nov. 2, 2013 (one goal, 12 assists over the span). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Zuccarello is the first Ranger to record an 11-game point streak against one opponent since Mark Messier (11-game streak against Philadelphia from Nov. 2, 1991 – Jan. 9, 1993).
- Derek Stepan – 20 GP, 8-9-17 – Stepan has notched 14 points (eight goals, six assists) in his last 12 games against Carolina.
- Ryan McDonagh – 19 GP, 4-7-11 – McDonagh has tallied a point in seven of his last 11 games against Carolina, notching seven points (three goals, four assists) over the span.
TAKING THE METRO
The Rangers have earned at least one point in 10 of 14 games against Metropolitan Division opponents this season (6-4-4 record). The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 34 of their last 42 games against Metropolitan Division opponents (29-8-5) and have won 26 of their last 38 intra-division games (26-8-4).
Including tonight’s contest, 16 of the Rangers’ final 36 games this season are against Metropolitan Division opponents.
ON POINT
At least one Rangers defenseman has tallied a point on 13 of the team’s last 16 goals, dating back to the third period on Jan. 5 vs. Dallas. Five Rangers defensemen have recorded at least 10 points this season (Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh, Dan Boyle, Marc Staal, and Dan Girardi). Blueshirts defensemen have registered 95 points (20 goals, 75 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 38 points (eight goals, 30 assists) over the last 17 games.
HIGH FIVE
New York ranks second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 this season (plus-23; 94-71).
TWO GOOD
The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in six of their last 11 games and in 26 games this season. New York has allowed two goals or fewer in 21 of its 25 wins this season and has posted a 21-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.
FIRST IN SCORE
The Rangers have registered the first goal of the game in 22 contests this season and have posted a 17-3-2 record in those games.
SHOOTING GALLERY
New York registered a single-game season-high 49 shots on goal in its last game on Jan. 19 vs. Vancouver. The Rangers have recorded 30 or more shots on goal in each of their last five games and in six of their last eight contests.
SHUTTING THE DOOR
The Blueshirts have allowed fewer than 25 shots on goal in each of their last two games and in six of their last 11 contests. Over the last 11 games (dating back to Dec. 22 vs. Anaheim), the Rangers have allowed 295 shots on goal (26.8 shots on goal against per game).
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in seven of his last 10 appearances, including five of his last six appearances and each of his last four appearances. He has posted a 4-1-1 record, along with a 2.12 GAA and a .925 SV% in his last six appearances. Lundqvist has also posted a 3-1-0 record, along with a 1.70 GAA and a .942 SV% (113 saves on 120 shots) in his last four appearances.
Lundqvist, who earned his 20th win of the 2015-16 season on Jan. 16 at Philadelphia, is the first goaltender in NHL history to earn at least 20 wins in each of his first 11 seasons (2005-06 – 2015-16). He is also the third goaltender in NHL history to earn 20 or more wins in at least 11 consecutive seasons, joining Martin Brodeur and Tony Esposito as the only goaltenders to accomplish the feat.
In addition to the franchise records he already holds or shares, Lundqvist is close to establishing Rangers records for career regular season appearances by a goaltender and career regular season saves. Lundqvist is the Blueshirts’ all-time leader in overall appearances (regular season and playoffs combined) by a goaltender (769) and overall saves (20,111).
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan McDonagh was selected to represent the Rangers at the 2016 NHL All-Star Game. McDonagh is the first Rangers captain to be selected to play in an NHL All-Star Game since Mark Messier in 2004.
McDonagh is one of three NHL defensemen who have registered at least five goals, 20 points, and a plus-12 rating this season (along with Drew Doughty and Duncan Keith). He has registered 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in the last 34 games, including 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in the last 19 contests and six assists/points in the last six games. McDonagh is tied for sixth among NHL defensemen in primary assists this season (13). He also leads NHL defensemen in assists (six) and is tied for second among NHL defensemen in points (six) since Jan. 9.
KREID-ING HIGH
Chris Kreider enters the contest with a four-game point streak (three goals, two assists), which is tied for his career-high. He has tallied seven points (three goals, four assists) in his last eight games.
IT’S MILLER TIME
J.T. Miller has notched 10 points (six goals, four assists) in the last 16 contests, dating back to Dec. 12 at Calgary. Over the last 16 games, Miller leads the Rangers in goals (six) and is tied for second in points (10). He leads the Rangers in points (15), and he is tied for the team lead in goals (seven) and assists (eight) on the road in 2015-16.
RICK ROLLING
Rick Nash enters the contest with a three-game assist/point streak (four assists), and he has tallied seven assists/points in the last seven contests. He is tied for second in the NHL in assists since Jan. 5 (seven). Nash leads the Rangers in points per game (0.75), even strength assists (18), and even strength points (26) this season. In addition, he ranks second on the Blueshirts – and leads team forwards – in assists (21) in 2015-16.
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan enters the contest with a three-game assist/point streak (one goal, three assists). The Rangers have posted a 13-2-1 record when Stepan has recorded at least one point this season. In addition, the Blueshirts have earned at least one point in each of the last 24 games when Stepan tallied a goal, dating back to Mar. 18, 2014 (20-0-4 record over the span).
WELCOME MATS
Mats Zuccarello has tallied all of his team-leading 17 goals and 32 of his team-leading 34 points in 2015-16 when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest. In addition, 30 of Zuccarello’s 34 points this season have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal.
BRASS BONANZA
Derick Brassard is one of five NHL players who have registered at least 15 goals, 25 takeaways, and a 50.0 faceoff win percentage (min. 700 faceoffs taken) this season (along with Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeron, John Tavares, and Ryan O’Reilly).
SPECIAL TEAMS
- The Rangers have posted a 7-1-2 record when outscoring opponents on special teams this season.
Power Play:
- The Rangers were 0-for-1 (2:00) on Jan. 19 vs. Vancouver.
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were 1-for-1 (2:00) on Jan. 19 vs. Vancouver.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- Derek Stepan – 2 goals away from 100 in his NHL career; 2 games away from 400 in his NHL career
INJURIES (40 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
- Chris Kreider (neck spasms; suffered on Jan. 19) – day-to-day
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
- Jan. 21 – Agreed to terms with free agent forward Daniel Paille
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- Jan. 21, 1967 – Harry Howell became the first player to skate in 1,000 games with the Rangers in franchise history. Howell is the Blueshirts’ all-time leader in games played (1,160).
- Jan. 22, 1994 – Madison Square Garden hosted the 1994 NHL All-Star Game, and Rangers goaltender Mike Richter was selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player.
- Jan. 22, 1998 – Pat LaFontaine registered his 1,000th career NHL point by tallying a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers at MSG.
Photo by Getty Images.
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