A Tweet with big hopes for 2016 by Henrik Lundqvist

"RNYRF" Staff Report

Henrik Lundqvist showed the Twitter world that he is motivated to earn the Stanley Cup this season. Just check out this tweet he made earlier on New Year's Eve.

Happy new year people!! I wish you all the best in 2016!! I know what I want.. lets go get it! #NYR

— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) December 31, 2015

Will 2016 be the year that the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup?

Check out this other tweet. Can Lundqvist really be motivated enough to win the Stanley Cup?

2015 is coming to an end.. it's been some ups and downs but lots of great memories. Dec was tough, but we ended on a high note! :)

— Henrik Lundqvist (@HLundqvist30) December 31, 2015

Now Anyone Can Play Goalie for the New York Rangers

By John Gaudiest of Fortune

PHOTO: StriVR puts Rangers fans between the virtual pipes at Madison Square Garden.
(Scott Levy/MSG Photos)

Over the years, only a small group of brave men have had the chance to strap on the pads and blockers and stare down 100 mph slap shots through colorfully decorated hockey masks on the ice at Madison Square Garden. But that’s all changed now, thanks to virtual reality.

Startup STRIVR (sports training in virtual reality) has made it possible for any fan to experience life as New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist on home ice. The virtual reality company has partnered with Madison Square Garden to create the world’s first virtual reality goaltender simulator.

The experience is located on the main concourse, where guests can put on an HTC Vive head-mounted display and use hand controllers to simulate the goalie stick and blocker pad. They stand in front of a real goal in an area adorned with a simulated ice goalie crease and a fan-filled stadium backdrop with a big-screen TV showing their in-game perspective. But the real magic happens once the two-minute, 360-degree video experience fires up.

The New York Rangers VR goalie simulator, which blends real video with computer-generated effects, is narrated by Rangers broadcaster Sam Rosen. The user puts on the goaltender equipment in the Rangers locker room before heading to the empty arena for practice. It’s here, in goal, that the user will attempt to stop five shots from real Rangers players like Kevin Hayes, Jesper Fast, and Oscar Lindberg. The experience is randomly generated so no five shots will be the same. Afterward, an email sends the fan a photo and his or her stats.

MSG Network analyst Steve Valiquette, a former goaltender, recently tried the experience and said it felt like he was back in the crease at MSG  MSG 1.00% —he said he could smell the ice. MSG Network analyst Anson Carter said the shots felt like real NHL shots.

Rangers sign forward Gropp to entry-level contract.

RNYRF Staff Report

NEW YORK — The New York Rangers have signed forward Ryan Gropp to an entry-level contract.

General manager Jeff Gorton announced the signing of the 2015 second-round draft pick on Thursday.

Gropp has skated in 32 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season, collecting 18 goals and 14 assists. The 19-year-old leads the Thunderbirds in goals, ranks fourth on the team in points, and ranks fifth in assists.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has 66 goals and 66 assists in 158 career WHL games over three seasons.

Gropp was the 41st pick overall in the draft.

2016 Winter Classic & Other League-Wide Notes

2016 WINTER CLASSIC NOTES:


Bruins' Marchand suspended three games: Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand has been suspended for three games, without pay, for clipping Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki during NHL Game No. 541 in Boston on Tuesday, December 29, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced on Wednesday.

The incident occurred at 8:41 of the first period.

Marchand is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $164,634.15. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Marchand will miss the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on January 1, 2016.

Gallagher to play for Montreal in Winter Classic: Montreal will indeed have the services of forward Brendan Gallagher for the Winter Classic.

Gallagher pronounced himself fit after taking part in practice at Gillette Stadium on Thursday afternoon.

DECEMBER 31: Alex Galchenyuk of the Montreal Canadiens
skates during practice at Gillette Stadium on December 31,
2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

(PHOTO: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

"I'm proud to announce Brendan Gallagher will be playing in the Winter Classic," Montreal captain Max Pacioretty said at the start of his press conference.

Gallagher says he has received 100 percent clearance for the game and did not want to return for selfish reasons.

Gallagher has missed 17 games due to a hand injury suffered when blocking a shot. He had 19 points in 22 games prior to the injury.

Condon to get start in goal for Montreal in Winter Classic: Montreal Canadiens coach Michel Therrien told NHL Network that Mike Condon will start in goal for the Canadiens on Thursday in the Winter Classic.
Montreal added Ben Scrivens to the team through trade on Monday and the veteran had a strong first appearance with the Canadiens, stopping 27 of 30 shots in a loss to the Florida Panthers on Dec. 29.

But, Therrien decided to go with Condon, who is 10-9-3 with a .905 save percentage and 2.48 goals-against average in his first NHL season. Condon started the season as the backup, but became the No. 1 goalie when Carey Price was injured earlier in the season.

Price is with the team this week, but he did not practice Thursday and will not play in the game.

DECEMBER 31: Dennis Seidenberg #44 of the Boston Bruins skates
with the puck during practice at Gillette Stadium on December 31,
2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

(PHOTO: Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Condon grew up in nearby Holliston, Mass., and is a fan of the New England Patriots and paid tribute to the team with the art on the backplate of the mask he will wear at the Winter Classic.

OTHER LEAGUE-WIDE NOTES:

Hansen fined by NHL: Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen has been fined $2,000 as supplementary discipline under NHL Rule 64 (Diving/Embellishment), the National Hockey League announced today.

Blue Jackets' Calvert out four weeks with knee injury: Columbus Blue Jackets forward Matt Calvert sustained a knee sprain Tuesday against the Dallas Stars and will miss four weeks, the Blue Jackets announced Thursday. 

Calvert was placed on injured reserve Wednesday when goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was activated off IR. Calvert scored his sixth goal of the season in the 6-3 win against the Stars. 

Calvert had an NHL career-high 13 goals last season.

NYR TODAY 12/31

Rangers end road skid with 5-2 win over Lightning
Strong third period lifts Rangers over Lightning, 5-2
By MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) The New York Rangers have been talking about which style is the right one for them. They found it Wednesday night.

Dominic Moore put New York ahead early in the third, Dan Boyle had a goal and an assist and the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 to end an eight-game road losing streak.

"We had a lot of good talks the last 24 hours about coming back to the team we really are," goalie Henrik Lundqvist said. "Play to our strengths and it starts really with hard work. We played really well tonight. We showed ourselves what we need to do to have success."

Lundqvist made 20 saves and moved past Rogie Vachon for 17th place on the NHL's career wins list with 356.

New York was 0-6-2 during the skid. Boyle scored in the first period and Mats Zuccarello in the second. Viktor Stalberg and Rick Nash added empty-netters.

New York also won for just the fifth time (5-10-2) in its last 17 games overall.

Jonathan Marchessault and Anton Stralman scored for the Lightning. Ben Bishop lost for the first time to the Rangers after winning his first nine games against them. Tampa Bay is 2-2-1 during a six-game homestand.

"If you really look at this game, we really didn't give them anything," Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper said. "And when we did, it was our blunders. You look at that winning goal, we turned the puck over three times in a harmless situation."

The defending Eastern Conference champion Lightning are 9-8-2 at home this season after going 32-8-1 in 2014-15.

Moore gave the Rangers a 3-2 lead on a backhander 3:16 into the third after a defensive zone turnover by Tampa Bay. Two of his four goals this season have come against the Lightning.
"I just tried to stay poised," Moore said.

New York defenseman Marc Staal saved a goal in the opening minute of the third when he swiped Valtteri Filppula's shot off the goal line.

"I just saw Hank get a piece of it, so I knew it would start going to the net," Staal said. "I just got it in time."

The Rangers went ahead 2-1 on Zuccarello's shot from the top of the left circle 56 seconds into the second.

New York's Tanner Glass received an interference penalty late in the second for a hit that sent Brian Boyle over the boards and onto the Rangers bench.

Tampa Bay took advantage of Glass' infraction when Stralman's in-close shot trickled under Lundqvist's pads with 8.2 seconds to go in the second.

Boyle opened the scoring 1:53 into the game from the right circle off a nice pass by Keith Yandle. All five of the defenseman's goals this season have come in the last 10 games.

After failing to get a shot during their first two power plays, the Lightning converted a third chance and tied it at 1 when Marchessault redirected Stralman's shot with 3:25 remaining in the first.

NOTES: Tampa Bay C Steven Stamkos was minus-3. ... Nash has 390 career goals, which is one away from tying Martin St. Louis, Dean Prentice and Jean Pronovost for 99th place all-time. ... Rangers coach Alain Vigneault tied Phil Watson for eighth place on the team career list with 119 wins. He also moved past Jacques Demers into 21st place on the NHL's games-coached list with 1,008. ... New York RW Kevin Hayes, mired in a 16-game goal drought, was scratched. ... Lightning RW Nikita Kucherov had two assists and extended his point streak (nine assists, 11 points) to seven games. ... Tampa Bay LW Jonathan Drouin returned after missing eight games with a lower body injury.

 Tanner Glass was awarded the Broadway Hat after last night's Rangers win. (Bill Pidto on MSG)

The NHL explanation for Anton Stralman's tying goal
 From the NHL: "At 19:51 of the second period in the New York Rangers/Tampa Bay Lightning, the Situation Room initiated a video review to further examine a play at the New York net. The referee initially signalled "no goal" but after huddling with the other on-ice officials, the call on the ice was changed to "good goal" because the puck crossed the goal line on a continuous play resulting from Anton Stralman's original shot."

"Rule 38.4 (viii) states, in part, that the video review process shall be permitted in "situations whereby the Referee stops play or is in the process of stopping the play because he has lost sight of the puck and it is subsequently determined by video review that the puck crosses (or has crossed) the goal line and enters the net as the culmination of a continuous play where the result was unaffected by the whistle (i.e., the timing of the whistle was irrelevant to the puck entering the net at the end of a continuous play)." Video review supported the final on-ice decision - good goal Tampa Bay."

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY December 31
1991: Brian Leetch establishes a new Rangers record by extending his point streak to 17 games. Leetch records an assist in a 5-2 Rangers victory over the Winnipeg Jets.

FINAL NY RANGERS 5 TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING 2

Rangers Close Out 2015 With 5-2 Win In Tampa

Wednesday night in Tampa the Rangers closed out calendar year 2015 with a workmanlike 5-2 victory over the Lightning at Amalie Arena. It was New York's first road win since November 21 and first of any kind against the Lightning in their last six head-to-head regular season meetings dating to 2014.

Dan Boyle, Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg all recorded a goal and an assist for the Rangers, who had been 0-6-2 in their previous eight road contests, including Monday's 5-3 loss in Nashville. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 20 of 22 shots to backstop the victory; while his Lightning counterpart Ben Bishop lost to the Rangers for the first time in ten career regular season games.

With the score tied 2-2 early in the final period the Rangers grabbed their third one-goal advantage of the night, scoring at 3:16 after some diligent hard work in the offensive zone by the team's fourth line.

A big hit by Tanner Glass in the corner dislodged the puck causing a turnover. Stalberg grabbed the disc and found Moore skating towards the net. Moore proceeded to beat Bishop one on one with a gorgeous finish, and his fourth goal put the Rangers up 3-2.

Lundqvist made a pair of strong stops th rest of the way as the Rangers played stout defensively to bring this victory to completion.

Stalberg iced it with an empty-net goal--from his own end of the ice--with 1:29 remaining in regulation. Rick Nash then added an empty-netter of his own with 32.1 ticks left on the clock.

The Rangers played a tight, solid game at both ends of the ice, but five trips to the penalty box and two power play goals allowed in the first two periods cost them as they and the Lightning reached the second intermission tied 2-2.

Boyle gave the Rangers a much-desired early lead by scoring on the game's first shot just 1:52 into play. Moore won an offensive zone face off back to Keith Yandle, who skate to his right and seemed to have a clear shot on goal if he wanted it. Instead he patiently waited before dishing to his right where Boyle slipped in all alone to convert a pretty goal, his fifth of the season and third in the past five games.

Tampa Bay would tie the game before the first period was over, finally converting on their third power play of the period at 16:35. Nash--in the midst of an otherwise all-around strong two-way performance--was assessed New York's third high-sticking minor of the period, and he could only watch from the box as Tampa's Jonathan Marchessault tipped an Anton Stralman shot past Lundqvist for his sixth goal of the season, tying the score 1-1.

The Rangers started quickly again in the second period, this time scoring after just 56 seconds had elapsed in the period. J.T. Miller skated hard into the Lightning zone, drawing two defenders toward him, before dropping the puck back to Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers' leading scorer proceeded to wire a wicked shot top shelf over Bishop's glove, his 16th goal giving New York a 2-1 lead.

However yet again a Rangers penalty undid  a lot of good work by the visitors during the period. The penalty, though, was not without doubt and controversy. Glass was whistled for an interference penalty after hammering Tampa's Brian Boyle up off his skates and over the boards and into the Rangers bench seemingly as the puck past the former Blueshirt by at 18:37.

Stralman made the Rangers pay with 8.2 seconds remaining in the period when he redirected the puck off Lundqvist and just over the goal line. The referee at first waved the goal off, but then changed the on-ice call, which was then upheld by video review.

POST-GAME WRAP-UP :::

Scoring Summary
1st Period
01:53    NYR    Dan Boyle (5) ASST: Keith Yandle (19), Dominic Moore (5)     1 - 0 NYR  
16:35    TBL    PPG - Jonathan Marchessault (6) ASST: Anton Stralman (12), Nikita Kucherov (15)     1 - 1 Tie  
2nd Period
00:56    NYR    Mats Zuccarello (16) ASST: J.T. Miller (11), Dan Boyle (9)     2 - 1 NYR  
19:51    TBL    PPG - Anton Stralman (4) ASST: Valtteri Filppula (12), Nikita Kucherov (16)     2 - 2 Tie  
3rd Period
03:16    NYR    Dominic Moore (4) ASST: Viktor Stalberg (7)     3 - 2 NYR  
18:39    NYR    EN - Viktor Stalberg (4) ASST: NONE     4 - 2 NYR  
19:27    NYR    EN - Rick Nash (12) ASST: Jesper Fast (7)     5 - 2 NYR  

Penalty Summary
1st Period
06:27    NYR    Tanner Glass  Hi-sticking against  Braydon Coburn
08:19    TBL    Jonathan Marchessault  Too many men/ice - bench
10:18    NYR    Chris Kreider  Slashing against  Ben Bishop
15:57    NYR    Rick Nash  Hi-sticking against  Cedric Paquette
2nd Period
04:28    TBL    Matthew Carle  Interference against  Mats Zuccarello
09:30    TBL    Victor Hedman  Tripping against  Oscar Lindberg
10:19    NYR    Ryan McDonagh  Tripping against  J.T. Brown
18:37    NYR    Tanner Glass  Interference against  Brian Boyle
3rd Period
NONE

Shots By Period
Period    NYR    TBL
1st    8    5
2nd    5    10
3rd    13    7
Total    26    22

Team Stats
Category    NYR    TBL
Power Plays    0/3    2/5
Hits    27    22
Faceoff Wins    28    27
Giveaways    6    10
Takeaways    6    8
Blocked Shots    15    16
Penalty Minutes    10    6

NEXT GAME: 

SATURDAY 1/2 @ FLORIDA PANTHERS 7:00 PM

Rangers vs. Lightning 12.30.15: Pregame Notes

Getty Images

NEW YORK RANGERS at TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, 8:00 p.m. ET

Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL

Rangers: 20-13-4 (44 pts)

Lightning: 18-15-4 (40 pts)

TONIGHT'S GAME

The Rangers play their 38th game of the 2015-16 season and continue a three-game road trip tonight, Dec. 30, against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena (8:00 p.m. ET - TV: NBCSN; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). Tonight's contest is the Rangers' final game of the 2015 calendar year. The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 20-13-4 record this season (44 points).

RANGERS VS. LIGHTNING

·         All-Time: 43-35-5-7 (24-16-2-4 at home; 19-19-3-3 on the road)

·         2015-16: Tonight's game is the second of three meetings between the Rangers and Lightning, and the second of two meetings between the two teams at Tampa Bay. The Rangers have posted a 0-1-0 record (0-0-0 at home; 0-1-0 on the road) against the Lightning. New York was defeated by the Lightning, 2-1, on Nov. 19 at Tampa Bay. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 26 of 28 shots he faced in the contest, while Dominic Moore tallied the only goal of the game for the Blueshirts. Following tonight's game, the Rangers and Lightning will face each other on the following date: Apr. 5 (at MSG).

RANGERS-LIGHTNING CONNECTIONS

·         Alain Vigneault and Lightning Associate Coach Rick Bowness were members of the same coaching staff in Ottawa and Vancouver. Vigneault was an assistant coach on Bowness' staff with the Senators for parts of four seasons (1992-93 - 1995-96), and Bowness was an assistant coach on Vigneault's staff for seven seasons with the Canucks (2006-07 - 2012-13).

·         Dan Boyle played parts of six seasons with the Lightning (2001-02 - 2007-08) and helped the team capture the Stanley Cup in 2003-04. Boyle is Tampa Bay's all-time leader in assists (187) and points (253) by a defenseman.

·         Dominic Moore played parts of two seasons with Tampa Bay (2010-11 - 2011-12) and helped the Lightning advance to the Eastern Conference Final in 2010-11.

·         The Lightning have three former Rangers on their roster: Brian Boyle (2009-10 - 2013-14), Ryan Callahan (2006-07 - 2013-14), and Anton Stralman (2011-12 - 2013-14).

·         Jonathan Marchessault played one season with the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Connecticut Whale (now the Hartford Wolf Pack), in 2011-12.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. LIGHTNING

·         Henrik Lundqvist - 36 GP, 17-13-6, 2.40 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO - Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 23 of 36 career regular season appearances against the Lightning.

·         Rick Nash - 20 GP, 8-8-16 - Since joining the Rangers prior to the start of the 2012-13 season, Nash has recorded nine points (five goals, four assists) in ten regular season games against Tampa Bay.

·         Derek Stepan - 18 GP, 6-9-15 - Stepan has registered an assist/point in four of his last six regular season games against Tampa Bay, including three of his last four regular season contests.

·         Ryan McDonagh - 13 GP, 0-10-10 - McDonagh has notched six assists/points in his last seven regular season games against the Lightning.

YEAR IN REVIEW

The Blueshirts have earned more regular season and playoff wins combined than any other NHL team in 2015 (64). The Rangers rank second in the NHL in regular season wins in the 2015 calendar year (53; 53-24-7 record in 84 regular season games in 2015). The Rangers led the NHL in regular season and playoff wins combined in the 2014 calendar year (58).

ON POINT

Five Rangers defensemen have recorded at least ten points this season (Keith Yandle, Ryan McDonagh, Dan Boyle, Marc Staal, and Dan Girardi). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, five Rangers defensemen have tallied ten or more points through the first 37 games of one season for the first time since 1984-85. The Rangers are one of three NHL teams that have five defensemen who have recorded at least ten points in 2015-16. In addition, the Rangers rank fourth in the NHL - and lead Eastern Conference teams - in points by defensemen this season (77; 17 goals, 60 assists). Blueshirts defensemen have registered 20 points (five goals, 15 assists) over the last eight games. 

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers have tallied three or more goals in each of the last three games, in six of the last eight games, and in 23 of 37 games in 2015-16. New York is tied for fifth in the NHL in goals per game this season (2.86).

SHOOT TO SCORE

The Rangers have registered three or more goals while recording 30 or fewer shots on goal in the same contest in 19 of 37 games this season. New York is tied for fourth in the NHL in shooting percentage in 2015-16 (10.2; 106 goals on 1,037 shots on goal). 

BLOCK PARTY

New York ranks third in the NHL - and leads the Eastern Conference - in blocked shots this season (569).

AV SQUAD

Alain Vigneault enters tonight's game tied with Colin Campbell for ninth place on the Rangers' all-time wins list among head coaches (118). He is one win away from tying Phil Watson for eighth place on the franchise's all-time wins list among head coaches. Vigneault also enters tonight's contest tied with Jacques Demers for 21st place on the NHL's all-time games coached list (1,007).

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist ranks second in the NHL in saves (857), is tied for fifth in wins (16), and is tied for ninth in even strength SV% (.935) and SO (two) in 2015-16. Lundqvist has been selected as one of the game's Three Stars more times than any other NHL player this season (17). Entering this season, Lundqvist, who has posted a .922 SV% thus far in 2015-16, was the only NHL goaltender who registered a save percentage of .920 or better in each of the previous six seasons (2009-10 - 2014-15). 

RICK ROLLING

Rick Nash tallied his 100th goal as a Ranger on Dec. 28 at Nashville. Among players who have skated in at least 200 career games with the Rangers in franchise history, Nash is tied for fourth in goals per game with the Blueshirts (0.45), trailing only Mike Gartner (0.54), Pierre Larouche (0.49), and Bill Cook (0.48). 

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello is tied for fourth in the NHL in goals when the score is tied this season (eight). Zuccarello has tallied all of his 15 goals and 28 of his 30 points in 2015-16 when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest, and he is also tied for fourth in the NHL in goals when the score differential in the game is one goal or fewer.

BRASS BONANZA

Derick Brassard is one of four NHL players who have registered at least 10 goals, 20 takeaways, and a 50.0 faceoff win percentage (min. 600 faceoffs taken) this season (along with Jonathan Toews, Patrice Bergeron, and John Tavares). Brassard has recorded 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in the last 13 games and has notched 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in the last 29 games. He is tied for fifth among NHL centers in goals (12) and is tied for ninth among NHL centers in points (25) since Oct. 24.

BOYLE-ING POINT

Dan Boyle has tallied a goal in four of the last nine contests and has recorded seven points (four goals, three assists) over the span. Boyle is tied for first among NHL defensemen in goals (four) since Dec. 9, and he has registered five of his seven points over the span in either the third period or overtime. He has been on the ice for 16 of the Rangers' 22 power play goals this season (including each of the team's last seven power play goals), and he has recorded a point on five of the Blueshirts' last six power play goals (two goals, three assists).

IT'S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller leads the Rangers in points (13) and plus/minus rating (plus-four), and is tied for the team lead in goals (six) and assists (seven) on the road this season. Miller has notched a goal in three of the last four games and has recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in the last seven contests.

TOO HOT TO YANDLE

Keith Yandle is tied for ninth among NHL defensemen in assists (18) this season. Yandle leads the Rangers in assists and leads team defensemen in points (19) in 2015-16.

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh has recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) in the last ten games and 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in the last 25 contests. McDonagh has led the Blueshirts in ice time in each of the last seven contests and in 22 of 37 games this season. 

STEPAN UP

Derek Stepan leads Rangers forwards in average ice time over the four games he has played since returning from injury on Dec. 18 (18:38).

KREID-ING HIGH

Chris Kreider has tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in the last three games and seven points (two goals, five assists) in the last ten contests.

SPECIAL TEAMS

·         The Rangers have posted a 6-1-2 record when outscoring opponents on special teams this season.

·         New York has posted a 23-2-3 record when outscoring opponents on special teams since the start of the 2014-15 season. 

Power Play:

·         The Rangers were 0-for-1 (2:00) on Dec. 28 at Nashville.

·         The Blueshirts are tied for fifth in the NHL on the power play in 2015-16 (21.4%; 22-for-103).

·         New York has tallied a PPG in three of the last four games (3-for-13; 23.1%), in six of the last eight games (6-for-27; 22.2%), in 14 of the last 22 games (16-for-66; 24.2%), and in 19 of the last 31 games (21-for-87; 24.1%).

·         Over the last 31 games, the Rangers rank second in the NHL on the power play.

Penalty Kill:

·         The Rangers were 0-for-2 (1:46) on Dec. 28 at Nashville. 

UPCOMING MILESTONES

·         Rick Nash - 3 games away from 900 in his NHL career

·         Derek Stepan - 5 goals away from 100 in his NHL career

INJURIES (35 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

·         None

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

·         Dec. 23 - Assigned Magnus Hellberg and Chris Summers to Hartford (AHL)

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

·         Dec. 29, 2007 – The Rangers tallied five power play goals in a 6-1 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

·         Dec. 30, 1983 – Pierre Larouche and Anders Hedberg each tallied two goals as the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-3, at MSG.

At the Rink: Rangers at Lightning

Wednesday, 12.30.2015 / 1:44 PM

By Corey Long - NHL.com Correspondent / 2015-16 At the Rink blog

TAMPA -- Forward Jonathan Drouin was activated off injured reserve Tuesday and will return to the lineup for the Tampa Bay Lightning when they play the New York Rangers at Amalie Arena on Wednesday (8 p.m. ET; NBCSN).

Drouin has not played since Dec. 10 and has two goals and six assists in 18 games this season. He said he doesn't expect he will need much time to get his legs back.

"It's definitely nice to feel good again," Drouin said. "I'm ready to go. It's up to me to get [my legs] again and I'm sure it'll be fine."

Drouin's role will change upon his return as Nikita Kucherov and Vladislav Namestnikov have taken the wing spots on Steven Stamkos' line and are producing good results. Drouin will likely take Erik Condra's spot in the lineup.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper said he's going to continue to give ice time to "the guys that are rolling" but is happy to have more healthy bodies in the locker room.

Forwards Brian Boyle and Tyler Johnson returned the lineup Monday and Ondrej Palat is aiming for a return during the Lightning's four-game road trip next week.

"These guys have missed extended periods of time, there's always a little bit of the rust factor coming back, so you have to ease these guys in and make sure they get the pace of the game and get some of the rust off," Cooper said. "So we'll get a feel for how these guys are playing and kind of inch them along."

The Lightning (18-15-4) are currently 2-1-1 on their six-game homestand after a 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.

The Rangers (20-13-4) are 1-4-0 in their past five games and the slump has forced coach Alain Vigneault to change lines and bench forward Kevin Hayes.

Vigneault said the Hayes move was in the best interest of the Rangers. Hayes hasn't scored a goal since Nov. 23 and has three assists in his past 16 games. Emerson Etem will take Hayes' spot in the lineup.

"I think Kevin has had an extra-long leash, especially considering [Derek Stepan] was out for quite some time, but there's just nothing going on," Vigneault told the Rangers website Tuesday. "At the end of the day we're at the point now where we have to make some decisions in the best interest of the team."

Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who has been pulled in three of his past six starts, will start for the Rangers and goalie Ben Bishop will make his 31st start of the season for the Lightning.

Here are the projected lineups:
RANGERS
J.T. Miller – Derick Brassard – Mats Zuccarello
Rick Nash – Derek Stepan – Jesper Fast
Chris Kreider - Oscar Lindberg – Emerson Etem
Tanner Glass – Dominic Moore – Viktor Stalberg

Ryan McDonagh – Dan Girardi
Keith Yandle – Kevin Klein
Marc Staal – Dan Boyle

Henrik Lundqvist
Antti Raanta

Injured: None
Scratched: Kevin Hayes, Dylan McIlrath

LIGHTNING
Vladislav Namestnikov - Steven Stamkos - Nikita Kucherov
Alex Killorn - Tyler Johnson - Jonathan Marchessault
Jonathan Drouin - Valtteri Filppula - Ryan Callahan
J.T. Brown - Cedric Paquette - Erik Condra

Victor Hedman - Anton Stralman
Braydon Coburn - Jason Garrison
Matthew Carle - Andrej Sustr

Ben Bishop
Kristers Gudlevskis

Injured: Ondrej Palat (undisclosed), Joel Vermin (hand surgery).
Scratched: Nikita Nesterov, Erik Condra

Status report: Some of the other moves Vigneault will make include moving Miller to the line with Brassard and Zuccarello, where he will replace Nash, who will now skate with Stepan and Fast.

Who's hot: Kucherov has a six-game point streak (two goals, seven assists). … Miller has scored two goals in the past three games.

RANGERS @ LIGHTNING GAME DAY PREVIEW

 

RANGERS (20-13-4) at LIGHTNING (18-15-4)

TV: NBCSN

Season series: Forward Valtteri Filppula's shorthanded goal late in the third period gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 2-1 win against the New York Rangers on Nov. 19, ending the Rangers' nine-game winning streak. Forward Dominic Moore scored for New York, which fell one short of the franchise record of 10 straight wins set in 1939-40 and equaled in 1972-73.

Rangers team scope: Forward Kevin Hayes will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season, coach Alain Vigneault said. Hayes has two points in 12 December games after scoring 15 in his first 25. "I think we all have our tipping points, and I think Kevin has had an extra-long leash," Vigneault told NorthJersey.com. "Did we overestimate his possibilities? I don't know. Time will tell. But I do know what we're seeing now is not good enough." Forward Emerson Etem skated on the third line with Chris Kreider and Oscar Lindberg at practice Tuesday, and forward J.T. Miller was elevated to the first line with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. The Rangers are 4-10-2 in their past 16 games and 0-6-2 in their past eight road games. "There's no doubt that I believe a lot of our players can be better and we're going to get an opportunity [Wednesday] against a team that beat us to go to the Stanley Cup Final," Vigneault said.

Lightning team scope: Forward Jonathan Drouin (lower body) is off injured reserve and could return Wednesday, general manager Steve Yzerman told the Tampa Bay Times. Drouin joined forward Ondrej Palat (lower body) for practice Tuesday. Though neither took line rushes, Drouin told the Times he's ready to go. "It's nice to feel good again," he said. Forward Yanni Gourde was reassigned to Syracuse of the American Hockey League, an indication Drouin could play. Forward Tyler Johnson played in the Lightning's 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. He told the Times his wrist, which he broke during the Stanley Cup Final, is 100 times better than the beginning of the season. "Feels like my old wrist," he said. Defenseman Victor Hedman took a maintenance day. The Lightning are 2-1-1 on a six-game homestand.

Alain Vigneault is trying to shake the New York Rangers out of their funk, so he's shuffling the lines. And right now, there's no room for the struggling Kevin Hayes.

With Hayes a healthy scratch for the first time this season, the Rangers attempt to snap their longest road losing streak in almost seven years Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

New York (20-13-4) is mired in a 4-10-2 stretch after falling 5-3 at Nashville on Monday. That extended the Rangers' skid outside Madison Square Garden to eight games (0-6-2) for the first time since going 0-7-2 from Jan. 18-Feb. 25, 2009.

Though Vigneault is looking for a spark with his switches, the most notable move is scratching Hayes, who hasn't scored in 16 games. He has just six goals after netting 17 as a rookie last season.

"I think Kevin has had an extra-long leash, especially considering (Derek Stepan) was out for quite some time, but there's just nothing going on," Vigneault told the team's official website. "At the end of the day we're at the point now where we have to make some decisions in the best interest of the team.

"In Kevin's case we made it all clear about our expectations for him and what we thought he could do, and they were very high. Obviously he has not lived up to that. I know what we are seeing now is not good enough."

That could be said of the rest of the Rangers, too. The new-look lines are expected to have Rick Nash drop down from the first to the second with Stepan and Jesper Fast. J.T. Miller replaces him on the top line, joining Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, while Chris Kreider moves to the third line with rookie Oscar Lindberg and Emerson Etem.

Vigneault may opt to go with Henrik Lundqvist, but he's 2-4-0 with a 4.48 goals-against average over his last seven games and has been pulled in three of his last six starts. He was lifted midway through the third period Monday after giving up five goals on 35 shots.

"Tonight was nothing about Henrik," Vigneault said. "They were teeing it up from the ladies' tee. At 5-1, I thought it was time to give him a break. He gave us a chance. As a team, we need to respond better."

Lundqvist has a 3.65 GAA while losing five straight regular-season meetings with the Lightning. He made 26 stops in a 2-1 loss at Tampa Bay on Nov. 19 after compiling a 3.03 GAA in the Rangers' seven-game series loss to the Lightning in last season's Eastern Conference final.

Tampa Bay (18-15-4) is having its own problems, alternating wins and losses over its last eight home games. The Lightning seemed on their way to breaking that trend Monday, scoring twice in a span of 21 seconds in the third period before giving up a goal 32 seconds later and losing 4-3 in a shootout to Montreal.

"We found a way to get the lead in the third, and we have to close it out," said captain Steven Stamkos, who was pointless after scoring five goals with one assist over the previous four games.

Stamkos has 31 points in 30 career meetings with the Rangers, including the playoffs. However, he doesn't have a point in three straight after scoring a goal in each of the previous four, adding an assist in three of them.

Nikita Kucherov had eight points against New York in the playoffs but failed to get any last month.

W2W4: Rangers vs. Lightning 12.30.15

Who: New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Where: Amalie Arena
When: Wednesday night at 8:00 PM
Watch: NBCSN with post-game show on MSG Network
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
*****************************************
The Skinny:
Wednesday night in Tampa the Rangers (20-13-4, 44 pts) play their final game in the calendar year by taking on the team that knocked them out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last spring, the Lightning (18-15-4, 40 pts). 2015 has been an extremely successful year for the Rangers. It featured the team being crowned as President’s Trophy winners, a run to within one victory of a second consecutive appearance in the Stanley Cup Final, and a strong start to this current campaign, one that included a nine-game winning streak. All told the Rangers won a total of 64 games—regular season and playoffs combined—the most of any team in the NHL during the 2015 calendar year. Unfortunately the Rangers are riding a rough patch in their season coming into play Wednesday. They were defeated by the Predators in Nashville 5-3 Monday night to start this three-game road trip. The Rangers have lost four of their last five games and are now 4-10-2 in their last 16. In addition they have not won a road game in more than a month, posting an 0-6-2 mark since beating the Florida Panthers in overtime on November 21. Head coach Alain Vigneault has shaken up three of his four line combinations for Wednesday’s contest in Tampa Bay, moving Rick Nash—a goal and nine shots Monday night—to the left of Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast—who also had a goal Monday, while sliding J.T. Miller—playing the best and most consistent hockey of his career of late with three goals and six points in his last seven games—into Nash’s previous spot alongside Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello. The third line will now feature Chris Kreider joining Oscar Lindberg and Emerson Etem, while the fourth line remains Dom Moore in the middle of Viktor Stalberg and Tanner Glass. The biggest news is that second-year pro Kevin Hayes is the odd man out. Hayes, who has six goals and 17 points while playing in all 37 games to this point, has only two points in his last dozen games and is without a goal in 16 straight. The defending Eastern Conference champion Lightning come in to play Wednesday with issues of their own, not the least of which is that they sit on the outside looking in on the current playoff picture in the East. The Lightning have been treading water recently, posting a 2-2-1 mark over their past five games; and they currently are only two points out of the final playoff seed in the East. Tampa is coming off Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Montreal Canadiens, a game in which the Lightning fired 39 shots on goal. Ravaged by injuries to key players much of the season the Lightning got Tyler Johnson and Brian Boyle back in the lineup Monday, though Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin remain out with injuries and will not play Wednesday versus the Rangers. Steven Stamkos leads Tampa Bay with 16 goals and 28 points, while Nikita Kucherov is right behind him with 12 goals and 26 points. One area the Rangers will need to pay special attention to--especially after giving up a pair of power play goals in Nashville Monday--is the resurgent Lightning power play. They had struggled mightily with the man advantage all year, but have now recorded at least one power play goal in four straight games, netting seven power play goals in that stretch. On the flip side the Lightning have allowed three power play goals in a game on four separate occasions already this season.
Head To Head:
The Rangers and Lightning will be playing for the second time this season, with their third and final meeting set for April 5 at Madison Square Garden. In the first get together, down in Tampa on November 19, the Rangers saw their season-high nine-game winning streak come to an end with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Lightning. It was a frustrating loss for the Rangers, not only because it stopped the long winning streak, but moreso because of the fashion in which they lost. After Dominic Moore had tied the game with an unassisted goal at 13:43 of the third period, New York was awarded a power play with less than two minutes to play in regulation. However Lightning forward Valtteri Filppula scored a backbreaking, and ultimately game-deciding, shorthanded goal with just 65 seconds remaining on the clock. Henrik Lundqvist finished the night with 26 saves, while his counterpart Ben Bishop stopped 20 of 21 shots. The Rangers have now lost their last five regular season meetings overall against the Lightning, three times by a single goal.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Chris Kreider: In the first game out of the holiday break Chris Kreider picked up a pair of assists Monday night in Nashville, and he now has three points in his last three games and seven (2-5-7) in his last ten. Though not where he wants to be numbers-wise Kreider has steadily moved up the team’s scoring list recently, and his 18 points (6-12-18) now tie him with J.T. Miller for fifth most on the Rangers. This has been Kreider’s best stretch offensively so far this season, though it is nowhere near the totals projected for him by head coach Alain Vigneault, who envisioned a breakout year for Kreider in 2015-16 after his 21-goal output a year ago. Kreider will be playing with new linemates Wednesday evening as he will skate on the left side of Oscar Lindberg and Emerson Etem, and away from his usual center Derek Stepan. The former Boston College star will be expected to be the go-to scorer on this new line, even though Lindberg does have four more goals than Kreider this year. In eight career regular season games against the Lightning, Kreider has managed just one point—a goal. In the seven-game Eastern Conference Final last spring against Tampa Bay Kreider scored a pair of goals and totaled four points.
Lightning-Ben Bishop: Tampa Bay's 6-foot-7 goaltender is piecing together another solid season between the pipes, his third straight as the Lightning's No. 1 netminder. Bishop has already appeared in 30 games, which is second most among all NHL goalies, and his 2.03 GAA is fourth best in the league while his 15 wins and .926 save percentage both rank eighth best. This strong start comes on the heels of the previous two seasons in which he established himself as a true No. 1 for the first time in his career. He appeared in 125 games and won 77 of them combined in 2013-14 and 2014-15; and last spring he backstopped Tampa Bay's run to the Stanley Cup Final. In his first NHL post-season in 2015 Bishop appeared in 25 games, posted three shutouts and a 2.18 GAA. Two of those shutouts came against the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final, including one in the decisive Game Seven at Madison Square Garden. Though he did lose three times to the Rangers in that playoff series, Bishop has never lost a regular season game to the Blueshirts. Monday night against Montreal, Bishop appeared in his 200th career game.

Hayes To Sit As Vigneault Shakes Up Lines

Kevin Hayes has not scored a goal in 16 games, and he won’t have the chance to break that schneid in the Rangers next contest either.
As part of a shakeup of the team’s top three forward line combinations, Hayes will be scratched for the first time this season when the Rangers face off with the Lightning in Tampa Bay on Wednesday night. It marks the first time the second-year pro has been a healthy scratch since late October 2014 during his rookie season in the NHL.
“I think Kevin has had an extra-long leash, especially considering (Derek Stepan) was out for quite some time, but there’s just nothing going on,” stated Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault on Tuesday. “At the end of the day we’re at the point now where we have to make some decisions in the best interest of the team. In Kevin’s case we made it all clear about our expectations for him and what we thought he could do, and they were very high. Obviously he has not lived up to that. I know what we are seeing now is not good enough.”
Hayes has just two assists in his last 12 games and he has produced only two multi-point games this entire season. In contrast to 2014-15 when he ranked fifth among all NHL rookies with 45 points and sixth with 17 goals, Hayes has managed only six goals and 17 points through the first 36 games this season. He is currently tied for seventh on the team in scoring.
“Obviously you don’t want to sit out games,” Hayes said. “My game is not nearly where I want it to be. You come into the season with goals and aspirations, and I haven’t come close to mine. I’m struggling right now.”
While Hayes skated as an extra with rookie defenseman Dylan McIlrath during Tuesday’s intense no-nonsense practice at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Vigneault altered the look of three of his four lines.
In response to the team’s 5-3 loss Monday against the Predators, and current 1-4-0 and 2-6-1 rough patches of play, Vigneault moved Rick Nash off of his usual line with Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello and placed him alongside Derek Stepan and Jesper Fast. J.T. Miller, who has six points in his last seven games, took Nash’s spot on the Brassard line, while Chris Kreider skated on the left side of Oscar Lindberg and Emerson Etem.
The fourth line of Viktor Stalberg, Dominic Moore, and Tanner Glass remained intact from Monday night’s game.
“I don’t want to change the way I’m playing because I’m playing with two highly-skilled guys,” Miller said of teaming up with Brassard and Zuccarello. “I want to keep playing physical, keep winning my battles, but make a play if it’s there. I just don’t want to get away from playing hard.”
Jim Cerny
BlueshirtsUnited.com

NYR TODAY 12/30

NY RANGERS GAME DAY! New York Rangers @ Tampa Bay Lightning 8:00 PM, NBCSN. Let's Go Rangers!!

 NYR Alumni Birthday 12/30: Lester Patrick D (13 as head coach; 20 as general manager)
Patrick achieved legendary status in New York at age 44, when he went in to play goal for the Rangers during Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals. His surprise entrance into the game sparked the team to a dramatic win and helped them go on to win the championship. Patrick had previously inserted himself into the lineup as a defenseman when the team was battling injuries during the 1926-27 season.

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY December 30
1996: Wayne Gretzky scores two goals, and Mike Richter makes 31 saves as the Rangers defeat the Dallas Stars, 3-2. It’s the Rangers first victory in Dallas in franchise history.

NYR TODAY 12/29 PRACTICE NOTES

Kevin Hayes skating as an extra at practice

1:04PM

Nov 19, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes (13) skates with the puck during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

Kevin Hayes is skating at practice today with Dylan McIlrath on an extra defense pair. (NYR)
The Rangers lines at their practice today are:

• JT Miller, Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello
• Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, Jesper Fast
• Chris Kreider, Oscar Lindberg, Emerson Etem
• Tanner Glass, Dominic Moore, Viktor Stalberg

The defense remains the same as last night.
Hayes turned the puck over inside the Rangers blue line last night which led to Nashville's second goal.
If Hayes is scratched tomorrow night it would be the first time this season and third time in his career, 10/11/14 and 10/27/14 being the other two.

Kevin Hayes likely to be scratched tomorrow against Tampa Bay

2:25PM

New York Rangers Kevin Hayes (13) Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

Alain Vigneault said that the Rangers have reached a "tipping point" with Kevin Hayes and that he hasn't worked hard enough. (Cyrgalis)
Hayes will be scratched tomorrow against Tampa Bay.(Gross)
He has six goals and 11 assists this season, a minus one rating, and has not scored a goal since November 23rd.
By month this season, Hayes has:

• October: 2 goal, 4 assists in 11 games
• November: 4 goals, 5 assists in 14 games
• December: 0 goals, 2 assists in 12 games

Hayes is only winning 34.1% of faceoffs.
It was suggested earlier this month that Hayes could be scratched.
For a lot more on Hayes, click HERE and HERE.
Adam Rotter: It's probably past due for Hayes to sit since he has struggled this season and hasn't produced all month. Alain Vigneault has given Hayes a very long leash this season and Hayes hasn't been close to good enough. At times he looks more like a rookie this season than he ever did last year when he was a rookie. He never seems to have the puck, he can't win a faceoff and doesn't look like the emerging top-six forward he is supposed to be.
Hopefully being a healthy scratch for a game or two will give Hayes the kick in the butt that he needs. Something needs to change with Hayes and for the Rangers sake they better hope that this healthy scratch will do it.

What Kevin Hayes said today after practice

3:44PM

Nov 23, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers right wing Kevin Hayes (13) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the third period at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers defeated the Predators 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports (Andy Marlin)

Kevin Hayes spoke with the media today after practice and said: (NYR)

• Is this a wakeup call, "yea, obviously you don't want to sit out games but I don't make the lineup. That is something you gotta ask the coach."
• How do you feel about your game, "My game isn't nearly where I want it to be. I had goals and aspirations coming into the season and I haven't even come close to mine. I'm struggling right now. Take it day by day and see how it goes."
• Are you surprised with the last few weeks, "no one wants to lose, you always want to win games. We haven't been on the right side of the scoreboard lately but we are still working hard."
• On his confidence, "I am confident in my abilities. Things aren't going my way or the team's way. I'm not gonna switch, there are things I need to switch and get pucks to the net and do things a little better but I'm not gonna stray away from what I bring to the table and I am confident in what I have."

NYR POST GAME NEWS, NOTES AND REACTIONS

What Alain Vigneault said after the game

8:18AM

Dec 18, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault calls for a time out during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports (Bruce Fedyck)

Alain Vigneault met with the media following the Rangers loss to Nashville (MSG):

• On the third, "they came at us real hard and we didn't have a response. Unfortunately tonight's game, the first penalty we took was unnecessary penalty. They made us pay for it. They got some momentum but in the second we battled hard and had some decent looks but we don't have enough guys right now bringing it. Guys are battling hard but we don't have enough guys bringing their A game to the table and we are going to need to figure it out real quickly here."
• How do you address that issue, "just like I said, we talk to our team and we address it with them and hopefully we will all figure it out."
• On Henrik Lundqvist, "tonight was nothing about Henrik. They were teeing it up from the ladies tee. At 5-1 I thought it was time to give him a break. He gave us a chance. As a team we need to respond better."
• "I thought our psyche was real good coming into the game. I know our preparation was there. They were throwing a lot of pucks at the not but not a lot of Grade A opportunities. That penalty was totally unnecessary and gave them momentum, we fought back in the third but we didn't have an answer for their push."
• On the defensive structure, "it's not as good as it can be. No doubt there. Thanks guys."

Henrik Lundqvist pulled late in the third period and what he said after the game

Dec. 28 | 10:27PM

Dec 18, 2015; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) prior to the game against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports (Bruce Fedyck)

11:24PM: Alain Vigneault said on MSG, "tonight was nothing about Henrik. They were teeing it up from the ladies tee. At 5-1 I thought it was time to give him a break. He gave us a chance. As a team we need to respond better."
11:17PM: Lundqvist spoke on MSG after the game and said:

• On the goal that made it 3-1, "Maybe it was just his arm that was up high that threw me off. They reviewed it and I am confident they made the right call."
• Consistency and defensive issues, "we did a lot of good things, just for a few minutes in the third we get hurt big time. It's been the case in too many games and it's extremely disappointing and frustrating and personally you try to work to get a good game and be there and then in a few minutes it's all destroyed. It's challenging bu tall you can do is try and work even harder and try to be positive about the good things and hopefully it will turn around."
• On the PK, "you have to expect teams to watch video and see how we are giving up goals and they are finding our right side a lot and it's something that we have to address and talk about. We scout other teams and and how they give up goals and you try to use that. You have to expect teams to do that to us."
• On his game, "the question is where is that. I felt pretty good for two and a half periods and then for a couple of minutes in the third it just snowballed again. It's tough on your confidence obviously but you need to work through it. Just a couple of quick plays and good looks. Their PP made us pay tonight. You try and look at the good things to stay confident and believe in what we do. For two periods we felt confident as a team and had chances. I don't know what else to say right now."

10:27PM: After allowing five goals and 3 goals in 3:39 in the third period, the Rangers pulled Henrik Lundqvist and replaced him with Antti Raanta. Lundqvist stopped 30 of 35 shots in the game.

Another brutal third period for the Rangers last night

9:33AM

Dec 28, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left winger James Neal (18) scores a goal past New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports (Christopher Hanewinckel)

Heading into the third period last night, the Rangers were down 2-1 and coming off a second period where they out-shot Nashville 14-11.
Prior to the start of the third, John Giannone spoke with Rangers assistant Ulf Samuelsson who told him that the Rangers were doing "quite a few things" that the coaches were happy about.
Samuelsson told Giannone that the had their work ethic going and were getting time in the offensive zone against one of the best defensive teams in the NHL. He added that he wanted to see more scoring chances for the Rangers and for them to play quicker before saying "I feel we will come out with a strong push in the first five." (MSG)
In the first five minutes of the third the Rangers had no shots on goal and at 5:18 the Predators scored a goal that would be overturned.
At 7:34 Craig Smith scored the first of three goals for the Predators in a span of 3:39 to go up 5-1.
Ryan McDonagh said after the game that the Rangers gave the Preds some "good lucks" and paid for it. He said that the Rangers were careless in their own end and need to play with the same urgency they had in the third when they were down 5-1. (MSG)
Dan Girardi said that when something happens on the ice the players need to be there for each other and the Rangers need to make sure that they have guys defending in the middle of the ice. (MSG)
Henrik Lundqvist said, "It's been the case in too many games and it's extremely disappointing and frustrating and personally you try to work to get a good game and be there and then in a few minutes it's all destroyed. It's challenging but all you can do is try and work even harder and try to be positive about the good things and hopefully it will turn around." (MSG)

How Dan Girardi played in his return to the lineup

10:25AM

Nov 19, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi (5) skates during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the New York Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports (Kim Klement)

In his return to the Rangers lineup last night, Dan Girardi had an assist, was a plus one, had two shots on goal, three shots that missed the net, one giveaway and one blocked shot in 18:50.
Girardi played 7:31 in the first, 6:30 in the second and 4:49 in the third.
When he was on the ice at 5 on 5, the Rangers had 50% of the shot attempts (13 to 13) but only 35.71% of the shots on goal (5 for, 9 against). (Natural Stat Trick)
In the second intermission, Girardi told John Giannone that he "surprisingly" felt pretty good after only having one practice to get ready. He said that it was good for him to get a couple of bumps in and make some passes. (MSG)
After the game, Girardi said that he felt good and tried to keep things simple. He said that he felt "a little tired" in the third period but said that is normal after being out for a while. (MSG)

The game Rick Nash had last night for the Rangers

12:56PM

Dec 28, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Rangers left winger Rick Nash (61) attempts a shot while defended by Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports (Christopher Hanewinckel)

Last night against the Predators, Rick Nash had a goal, 9 shots on goal, 1 shot attempt blocked, 2 shot attempts that missed the net and one blocked shot in 18:42.
Nash had 2 shots in the first, 4 in the second and 3 in the third while playing 5:30 in the first, 6:06 in the second and 7:06 in the third.
He saw 1:07 on the PP and 1:08 on the PK.
9 shots on goal is Nash's second highest of the season, he had 10 shots on goal against Florida on November 21 and scored a hat trick.
At even strength, Nash was on the ice for 23 shot attempts for, 18 against, 12 shots on goal for, 10 against and 1 goal for and 1 goal against. (Natural Stat Trick)
Joe Micheletti said that Nash had a good game and that Shea Weber and Roman Josi seemed to key more on Mats Zuccarello and Derick Brassard which left Nash with more space. (MSG)
Dave Maloney said that Nash played to his strengths and was deserving of his late goal because of his hard work. (MSG)

We should get an idea soon about what Jeff Gorton thinks about this team

11:19AM

Elliotte Friedman writes that we will soon get a "good idea" of what Jeff Gorton thinks about this Rangers team. (Sportsnet)
Friedman wonders what picks the Rangers could get if they decide to move players like Dominic Moore or Keith Yandle and if they have a desire to make a big move, they could consider testing the market for Rick Nash. (Sportsnet)
He adds that if the Rangers do happen to miss the playoffs this season, they retain their 2016 first round pick and their 2017 first round pick goes to Arizona as part of the Keith Yandle trade.
Friedman also says that if the Rangers do decide to make some moves "would anybody be surprised if they took a run at Steven Stamkos, should he hit free agency?." (Sportsnet)
On Stamkos, Bob McKenzie wrote a few weeks ago that "the Blueshirts have some financial shackles, but for the right player at the right price, moves could be made." (TSN)
Adam Rotter: If I had to guess at the Rangers strategy, in regards to player moves the rest of the season, I would think that they would mostly stay put, maybe add a top-nine winger and give this group of guys another chance to make a run in the playoffs. If the Rangers do miss the playoffs or go out early, I would expect some moves to be made but guys like Yandle and Moore likely aren't going to be back next season anyway.
As for Stamkos, his situation is something that I have been monitoring, thinking about and spending time on salary cap websites trying to make work as advanced preparation for his potential free agency. If Stamkos gets to free agency I expect the Rangers will be big time players for him. He is an elite scorer, one of the best players in the league and the Rangers are never shy about going after guys.
How the Rangers go after Stamkos and what moves they make to put themselves in a position to do so remain to be seen. There are so many variables and it's too early in the process to get worked up about who could be moved to free up space, who replaces that player and what number Stamkos would get for a cap hit. There won't be any shortage of teams looking at Stamkos, IF he becomes a free agent, but the Rangers will likely make a strong push for him.