Pre-game notes courtesy of the NYR:
NEW YORK RANGERS at OTTAWA SENATORS
Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, 3:00 p.m. ET
Canadian Tire Centre – Ottawa, ON
Rangers: 26-16-5 (57 pts)
Senators: 22-20-6 (50 pts)
TODAY’S GAME
The Rangers play their 48th game of the 2015-16 season and begin a back-to-back set today, Jan. 24, against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre (3:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). New York has won each of its last two games. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in eight of their last 12 games (7-4-1), including seven of their last 10 games (6-3-1) and six of their last eight contests (5-2-1). The Rangers enter the contest with a 26-16-5 record this season (57 points).
RANGERS VS. SENATORS
- All-Time: 39-39-3-4 (16-24-0-2 at home; 23-15-3-2 on the road)
- 2015-16: Today’s game is the third of three meetings between the Rangers and Senators, and the second of two meetings between the two teams in Ottawa. The Rangers have posted a 2-0-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 1-0-0 on the road) against Ottawa. In the last meeting between the two teams, the Rangers defeated the Senators, 4-1, on Dec. 6 at Madison Square Garden. The Blueshirts have allowed one goal in each of the first two games of the season series. Henrik Lundqvist has posted a 2-0-0 record, along with a 0.96 GAA and a .957 SV% (45 saves on 47 shots) in two appearances, and he has stopped 41 of 42 shots he has faced at even strength (.976 SV%). Ryan McDonagh leads all skaters with three points (one goal, two assists).
- The Blueshirts have won six of their last eight games against the Senators, dating back to Jan. 18, 2014 (6-2-0).
- New York has won four consecutive road games against Ottawa, dating back to Jan. 18, 2014. In addition, the Rangers have posted a 10-2-1 record in their last 13 road games against the Senators, dating back to Jan. 10, 2009.
RANGERS-SENATORS CONNECTIONS
- Alain Vigneault’s first coaching staff position in the NHL was as an assistant coach with the Senators. Vigneault joined the Senators for their first NHL season in 1992-93 and was a member of Ottawa’s coaching staff for parts of four seasons (1992-93 – 1995-96).
- Ryan McDonagh and Kyle Turris were teammates at the University of Wisconsin for one season (2007-08).
- Dan Girardi and Marc Methot were teammates with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for part of one season (2004-05). Girardi and Methot helped the Knights capture the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup.
- Derick Brassard, Rick Nash, and Marc Methot were all teammates with the Blue Jackets for parts of five seasons (2007-08 – 2011-12). All three players were coached by Rangers Associate Coach Scott Arniel, who was the Blue Jackets Head Coach for parts of two seasons (2010-11 – 2011-12).
- Dan Boyle is a native of Ottawa, ON.
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. SENATORS
- Henrik Lundqvist – 35 GP, 15-16-3, 2.09 GAA, .930 SV%, 1 SO – Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last four appearances against the Senators, posting a 3-1-0 record, along with a 1.46 GAA and a .944 SV% over the span.
- Mats Zuccarello – 9 GP, 5-3-8 – Zuccarello has posted three multi-point games in his last six contests against Ottawa (three goals, three assists over the span).
- Derek Stepan – 18 GP, 5-10-15 – Stepan has registered seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last seven games against the Senators. The Rangers have posted a 7-0-2 record when Stepan has notched at least one point against Ottawa in his career.
- Chris Kreider – 9 GP, 4-3-7 – Kreider has recorded seven points (four goals, three assists) in his last six games against Ottawa.
ON POINT
At least one Rangers defenseman has tallied a point on 15 of the team’s last 20 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 97 points (22 goals, 75 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 40 points (10 goals, 30 assists) over the last 18 games.
HIGH FIVE
New York ranks second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 this season (plus-26; 98-72). New York also ranks second in the NHL in goals for at 5-on-5 in 2015-16 (98).
TWO GOOD
The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in seven of their last 12 games and in 27 games this season. New York has allowed two goals or fewer in 22 of its 26 wins this season and has posted a 22-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.
FIRST IN SCORE
The Rangers have registered the first goal of the game in 23 contests this season and have posted an 18-3-2 record in those games.
THREE’S COMPANY
New York has posted a 22-7-3 record in the 32 games which Dan Girardi, Kevin Klein, and Derek Stepan have all been in the team’s lineup this season.
SHOOTING GALLERY
The Rangers have recorded 30 or more shots on goal in each of their last six games and in seven of their last nine contests (33.9 shots on goal per game over the last nine games).
SHUTTING THE DOOR
The Blueshirts have allowed fewer than 25 shots on goal in six of their last 12 contests. Over the last 12 games (dating back to Dec. 22 vs. Anaheim), the Rangers have allowed 326 shots on goal (27.2 shots on goal against per game).
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his last 11 appearances, including six of his last seven appearances and each of his last five appearances. Lundqvist has posted a 1.59 GAA and a .943 SV% during his personal three-game winning streak. In addition, he has posted a 5-1-1 record, along with a 1.96 GAA and a .932 SV% in his last seven appearances, as well as a 4-1-0 record, along with a 1.56 GAA and a .947 SV% in his last five 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.
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 four NHL defensemen who have registered at least six goals, 24 points, and a plus-12 rating this season (along with Drew Doughty, Duncan Keith, and John Klingberg). The Rangers captain enters the contest with a four-game point streak (one goal, three assists). He has registered 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in the last 35 games, including 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in the last 20 contests and seven points (one goal, six assists) in the last seven games. McDonagh is tied for second among NHL defensemen in assists (six) and points (seven) since Jan. 9.
IT’S MILLER TIME
J.T. Miller has established career-highs in goals (12) and points (24) this season. Among NHL players 22 years old or younger, Miller is tied for second in goals (nine) and ranks third in points (17) on the road this season. He also leads the Rangers in goals and points, and is tied for the team lead in assists (eight) on the road in 2015-16. Miller has notched 12 points (eight goals, four assists) in the last 17 contests, dating back to Dec. 12 at Calgary. Over the last 17 games, Miller leads the Rangers in goals and is tied for the team lead in points. He has recorded a goal in three of the last four games (four goals), including each of the last two games (three goals).
RICK ROLLING
Rick Nash has tallied seven assists/points in the last eight contests, including four assists/points in the last four games. He is tied for sixth in the NHL in assists since Jan. 5 (seven). Nash leads the Rangers in points per game (0.73), even strength assists (18), and even strength points (26) this season. In addition, he ranks second on the Blueshirts – and leads all team forwards – in assists (21) in 2015-16.
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan is expected to skate in his 400th career NHL game in today’s contest. He enters the contest with a four-game assist/point streak (one goal, four assists). The Rangers have posted a 14-2-1 record when Stepan has recorded at least one point this season.
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.
BRASS BONANZA
Derick Brassard is one of four NHL players who have registered at least 15 goals, 30 takeaways, and a 50.0 faceoff win percentage (min. 700 faceoffs taken) this season (along with Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeron, and John Tavares).
FINE KLEIN
Kevin Klein is tied for fourth among NHL defensemen in plus/minus rating this season (plus-16). He leads NHL defensemen in plus/minus rating since the start of last season (plus-40).
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. 22 at Carolina.
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were 1-for-1 (2:00) on Jan. 22 at Carolina.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- Derek Stepan – 1 game away from 400 in his NHL career; 2 goals away from 100 in his NHL career
INJURIES (41 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
- Chris Kreider (neck spasms; suffered on Jan. 19) – day-to-day
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
- 21 – Agreed to terms with free agent forward Daniel Paille
- 22 – Assigned Jayson Megna to Hartford (AHL)
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- Jan. 23, 2004 – The Rangers acquired Jaromir Jagr in a trade with the Washington Capitals.
- Jan. 24, 1999 – Wayne Gretzky skated in his final NHL All-Star Game. ‘The Great One’ recorded three points (one goal, two assists) and was selected as the game’s MVP.
- Jan. 24, 2008 – The Rangers retired Brian Leetch’s jersey No. 2 during a pre-game ceremony.
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Photo by Getty Images.
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