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NEW YORK RANGERS at TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, 7:30 p.m. ET
Amalie Arena – Tampa, FL
Rangers: 14-2-2 (30 pts)
Lightning: 8-9-3 (19 pts)
TONIGHT'S GAME
The
Rangers play their 19th game of the 2015-16 season tonight, Nov. 19,
against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena (7:30 p.m. ET - TV: MSG
Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). New York enters the contest with a
nine-game winning streak and a 13-game point streak (11-0-2). In
addition, the Rangers have won 11 of their last 12 games (11-0-1). The
Blueshirts enter the contest with a 14-2-2 record, following a 4-3 win
against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov. 15 at Madison Square Garden.
RANGERS VS. LIGHTNING
· All-Time: 43-34-5-7 (24-16-2-4 at home; 19-18-3-3 on the road)
· 2015-16:
Tonight's game is the first of three meetings between the Rangers and
Lightning, and the first of two meetings between the two teams in Tampa
Bay. Following tonight's game, the Rangers and Lightning will play
against each other on the following dates: Dec. 30 (at Tampa Bay), Apr. 5
(at MSG).
· 2014-15:
The Rangers posted a 0-3-0 record (0-2-0 at home; 0-1-0 on the road)
against Tampa Bay. Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and Derek Stepan tied for
the team lead with three points in the season series.
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).
· Lightning
Assistant General Manager and Director of Player Personnel Pat Verbeek
played parts of two seasons with the Rangers (1994-95 - 1995-96) and
represented the Rangers at the 1996 NHL All-Star Game.
· 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 - 35 GP, 17-12-6, 2.41 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO - Lundqvist has
allowed two goals or fewer in 22 of 35 career appearances against Tampa
Bay.
· Rick
Nash - 19 GP, 8-8-16 - Since he joined the Rangers prior to the 2012-13
season, Nash has recorded nine points (five goals, four assists) in
nine regular season games against Tampa Bay. Including last year's
playoff series against Tampa Bay, Nash has registered 16 points (eight
goals, eight assists) and has posted a plus-eight rating in 16 games
against the Lightning as a member of the Rangers.
· Derek
Stepan - 17 GP, 6-9-15 - Stepan has registered a point in 12 of 17
career games against the Lightning, and he enters the contest with a
three-game assist/point streak against Tampa Bay (three assists over the
span).
· Derick
Brassard - 10 GP, 1-6-7 - Brassard enters the contest with a three-game
assist/point streak against Tampa Bay (three assists over the span),
and he has registered five assists/points in his last five games against
the Lightning. Including last year's playoff series against Tampa Bay,
Brassard has notched 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in his last 12
games against the Lightning. Brassard has also recorded a point in five
consecutive games (regular season + playoffs) on the road against Tampa
Bay, registering 10 points (four goals, six assists) in the five
contests.
· Ryan
McDonagh - 12 GP, 0-10-10 - McDonagh has notched an assist/point in
seven of 12 career games against the Lightning, and he has recorded six
assists/points in his last six games against Tampa Bay.
RECORD BREAKERS
The Rangers' 14 wins and 30 points are the most recorded through the first 18 games of one season in franchise history.
WINNING WAYS
The
Rangers enter the contest with a nine-game winning streak. The Rangers'
nine-game winning streak is the third-longest in franchise history, and
the longest since the 1972-73 season. New York is also one win shy of
tying its longest winning streak in franchise history (10 game-winning
streak - established in 1939-40 and matched in 1972-73). Over the past
nine games, the Rangers have outscored their opponent, 33-13 (32-13 not
including team goals awarded for shootout wins).
POINT TAKEN
The
Rangers enter the contest with a 13-game point streak (11-0-2 record
over the span). The 13-game point streak is tied for the seventh-longest
in franchise history and is tied for the longest point streak the team
has posted since the NHL first awarded a point for an overtime loss in
1999-00. New York has posted a 13-game point streak for the first time
since the 2007-08 season. Over the 13-game stretch, the Blueshirts have
outscored their opponent, 44-19 (43-18 not including team goals awarded
for shootout wins).
LEADING THE WAY
The
Rangers enter tonight's contest with the NHL's best record thus far in
2015-16 (14-2-2, 30 points, .833 points percentage). In addition, the
Blueshirts lead the NHL in points percentage (.715) since the start of
last season.
In addition:
· Over
their last 82 regular season games, which dates back one year tonight
(Nov. 19, 2014), the Rangers have posted a 60-17-5 record (125 points;
.762 points percentage). The Blueshirts established single-season
franchise records with 53 wins and 113 points last season.
· The Rangers have posted a .762 points percentage since Jan. 1, 2015 (47-13-5 record).
· Since Dec. 8, 2014, the Rangers have posted a 56-14-5 record in 75 games (117 points; .780 points percentage).
· New York has posted the best record in the NHL since Jan. 1, 2014 (92-36-13 in 141 games; .699 points percentage).
ROAD WARRIORS
The
Rangers lead the NHL in road wins (58) and road points (121) since
2013-14. Dating back to 2014-15, the Blueshirts have won 20 of their
last 25 road games (20-3-2), including 15 of their last 18 road
games (15-2-1).
SAVING THE DAY
Rangers
goaltenders Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta have combined to post a
league-best 1.59 GAA (29 goals allowed in 1,090:57 of ice time) and a
.948 SV% (533 saves on 562 shots on goal) this season.
MAKING THE DIFFERENCE
New York enters tonight's contest ranked second in the NHL in goal differential in 2015-16 (plus-25; 56-31 - Note: doesn't include team goals awarded for shootout wins).
The Rangers also lead the NHL in goal differential during 5-on-5 play
(plus-26). The Blueshirts lead the NHL in both goals for at 5-on-5 (44)
and goals against at 5-on-5 (18) this season.
GOALS GALORE
The
Blueshirts have recorded three or more goals in four of the last five
games, seven of the last nine games, and nine of the last 12 contests.
The Rangers have also recorded four or more goals in seven of the last
12 games. New York ranks fourth in the NHL in goals per game (3.11) this
season. The Rangers have posted an 11.5 or better shooting percentage
in nine of the last 12 games and have posted a 13.0 shooting percentage
or better in eight of those contests. The Blueshirts rank fifth in the
NHL in shooting percentage (10.9) this season.
SHUTTING THE DOOR
The
Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of their last 13 games
(19 goals allowed over the span; 18 goals allowed in regulation and the
five-minute overtime period) and in 13 of 18 games this season. In
addition, the Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in
11 of the last 13 games. The Blueshirts have allowed one goal or fewer
in eight of the last 12 contests. The Rangers lead the NHL in goals
against per game (1.72) in 2015-16.
SIX-CESS
In
the six games that Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and Mats Zuccarello have
all played since their line was reunited on Oct. 30, the trio has
registered 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists). Zuccarello has tallied 11
points (five goals, six assists), Brassard has notched eight points
(three goals, five assists), and Nash has recorded seven points (one
goal, six assists) over the span.
ON POINT
A
Rangers defenseman tallied at least one point on each of the team’s
four goals on Nov. 15 vs. Toronto, recording five points (one goal, four
assists) in the contest. Rangers defensemen have tallied 39 points (10
goals, 29 assists) in 18 games in 2015-16.
KING HENRIK
Henrik
Lundqvist enters the contest with a personal six-game winning streak
(1.32 GAA, a .955 SV%, 1 SO over the span) and a nine-game point streak
(7-0-2 record over the span). Lundqvist has earned a point in nine
consecutive appearances for the first time in his NHL career. His
personal six-game winning streak is tied for the third-longest of his
career, and he is one win away from tying the longest personal winning
streak of his career. Lundqvist has also allowed two goals or fewer in
each of his last nine road appearances/starts. According to the Elias
Sports Bureau, Lundqvist is the first Rangers goaltender who has allowed
two goals or fewer in at least nine consecutive road starts since Dave
Kerr did so from Feb. 18, 1940 – Nov. 28, 1940 (nine straight). He leads
the NHL in GAA (1.69), SV% (.947), and saves (427), and is tied for the
NHL lead in wins (10) this season.
Lundqvist’s 10 wins
are the most he has earned in his first 14 appearances of one season in
his career. Lundqvist has been named one of the game’s Three Stars in
11 of the 14 contests he has played in 2015-16, including 11 of his last
13 appearances and nine of his last 10 appearances. He has been named
the game’s First Star seven times and the game’s Third Star four times.
In addition, he has been named the game’s First Star in seven of the 10
games he has won this season.
Lundqvist enters the
contest with 349 wins in his NHL career/as a Ranger. He is three wins
away from surpassing Terry Sawchuk for the third-most wins by a
goaltender with one franchise in NHL history.
CAREER WINS WITH ONE NHL FRANCHISE |
1. Martin Brodeur (NJD) – 688
|
2. Tony Esposito (CHI) – 418
|
3. Terry Sawchuk (DET) – 351
|
4. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR) – 349
|
In
addition, Lundqvist, who has earned 51 wins in a shootout in his
career, is four wins away from surpassing Mike Richter for the most wins
in regulation/overtime in franchise history.
MOST CAREER WINS BY A RANGERS GOALTENDER IN REGULATION/OVERTIME
(EXCLUDING SHOOTOUT WINS)
|
1. Mike Richter – 301
|
2. Henrik Lundqvist – 298
|
A STAR ON BROADWAY
Mats
Zuccarello was named the NHL's Second Star of the Week for the week
ending on Nov. 15. Zuccarello has posted a three-point game in two of
the last three contests, registering six points (two goals, four
assists) over the span. Zuccarello has notched 18 points (nine goals,
nine assists) in the last 17 games, including 15 points (six goals, nine
assists) in the last 12 games and 12 points (five goals, seven assists)
in the last eight contests. Zuccarello leads the Blueshirts in goals
(nine) and points (18) this season, and 17 of his 18 points have either
been a goal or the primary assist on a goal. He leads the Rangers in
primary assists (eight) and is tied for the team lead in assists (nine)
in 2015-16. Zuccarello is one of two NHL players who have recorded at
least eight even strength goals, 18 points, and a plus-nine rating in
2015-16 (along with Joe Pavelski), and he is one of three NHL players
who have registered at least nine goals, 18 points, and a plus-nine
rating (along with Pavelski and Patrick Kane). Zuccarello is tied for
second in the NHL in even strength goals (eight), is tied for seventh in
goals, and is tied for ninth in points this season.
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan
McDonagh has registered a goal/point in three of the last four games
(three goals, one assist). Over the last six games, the Rangers captain
has tallied six points (three goals, three assists) and has posted a
plus-nine rating. McDonagh ranks second in the NHL – and leads NHL
defensemen – in plus/minus rating (plus-13) this season.
BRASS BONANZA
Derick
Brassard has tallied 11 points (five goals, six assists) and has posted
a plus-13 rating in the last 12 games, including 10 points (five goals,
five assists) and a plus-11 rating in the last 10 games. In addition,
he has posted three multi-point games in the last eight contests,
recording eight points (three goals, five assists) over the span. Each
of Brassard’s 13 points thus far in 2015-16 have either been a goal or
the primary assist on a goal, and he ranks second on the Rangers in
primary assists (seven) this season. Brassard also ranks second on the
Blueshirts in points (13), ranks third in goals (six) and plus/minus
rating (plus-11), and is tied for fourth in assists (seven) this season.
RICK ROLLING
Rick
Nash has posted a multi-point game in three of his last six contests,
registering seven points (one goal, six assists) over the span. Nash has
notched 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in his last 13 games,
including nine points (two goals, seven assists) in his last 10
contests.
HEY HEY HAYES
Kevin
Hayes has recorded six points (three goals, three assists) in the last
seven games, and has registered nine points (four goals, five assists)
in the last 11 games. Hayes has notched a point in eight of the last 11
games and in 11 of 18 games this season, and the Rangers have registered
a 10-0-1 record when he has tallied a point this season. Hayes leads
the Rangers in games with a point in 2015-16. In addition, 31 of Hayes’
35 career NHL assists have been primary assists, and he leads the
Blueshirts in primary assists since 2014-15.
DAN’S THE MAN
Dan
Girardi has recorded an assist/point in four of the last five games,
registering five points (one goal, four assists) over the span. The
Rangers alternate captain has also notched a point in six of the last
nine games, tallying seven points (two goals, five assists) and posting a
plus-eight rating in those contests. Girardi leads team defensemen in
even strength points (eight), is tied for first among team defensemen in
even strength assists (six), and ranks second among team defensemen in
assists (six) and points (eight) in 2015-16.
Girardi enters the contest ranked 14th on the Rangers’ all-time games played list, and he ranks sixth in career games played by a defenseman in franchise history.
RANGERS ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED LIST | CAREER GAMES PLAYED BY A RANGERS DEFENSEMAN |
T-11. Mark Messier – 698
|
3. Ron Greschner – 982
|
T-11. Steve Vickers – 698
|
4. Jim Neilson – 810
|
13. James Patrick – 671
|
5. James Patrick – 671
|
14. Dan Girardi – 669
|
6. Dan Girardi – 669
|
FAST AND FURIOUS
Jesper
Fast ranks fourth on the Rangers – and second among team forwards – in
average shorthanded ice time (2:27) this season. In addition, he ranks
second among Blueshirts forwards in total shorthanded ice time (39:27)
in 2015-16. Fast has been on the ice for only two power play goals
against in 39:27 of shorthanded ice time this season, and he has only
been on the ice for six power play goals against in 103:17 of
shorthanded ice time since the start of the 2014-15 season.
AV SQUAD
Alain
Vigneault leads all Rangers head coaches in points percentage (min. 100
games coached - .657; 112-55-15) in franchise history. Vigneault leads
all NHL head coaches in wins (425) since the start of the 2006-07
season. Entering this season, Vigneault had led his team to a division
title in six of the previous seven seasons and in seven of the previous
nine seasons.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
· The Rangers were 0-for-2 (3:47) on Nov. 15 vs. Toronto.
· New
York has tallied a power play goal in two of the last three games
(2-for-6; 33.3%), in four of the last six games (4-for-14; 28.6%), and
in seven of the last 12 games (7-for-27; 25.9%).
· Over the last 12 games (since Oct. 19 vs. San Jose), the Rangers rank fifth in the NHL on the power play.
· The
Blueshirts have earned at least one point in each of the last 17 games
in which they tallied a power play goal (14-0-3) and have posted a
12-0-1 record in the last 13 games in which they recorded a power play
goal.
Penalty Kill:
· The Rangers were 3-for-3 (5:47) on Nov. 15 vs. Toronto.
· New York is tied for third in the NHL on the penalty kill in 2015-16 (86.4%; 51-for-59).
· The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in 10 of the last 14 games (39-for-43; 90.7%).
UPCOMING MILESTONES
· Derick Brassard - 2 points away from 300 in his NHL career
· Keith Yandle - 3 games away from 600 in his NHL career
INJURIES (4 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
· None
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
· None
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
· Nov. 18, 2000 – Brian Leetch registered his 616th
career assist with the Rangers, passing Rod Gilbert to become the
franchise’s all-time assist leader. Leetch registered three points (one
goal, two assists) as the Rangers defeated the Calgary Flames, 5-4, in
Calgary. Leetch is the Rangers’ all-time assist leader with 741.
· Nov. 19, 2006 – Jaromir Jagr registered his 600th career NHL goal, becoming the 16th
player (at the time) in NHL history to reach the milestone. Jagr
tallied three points (one goal, two assists) as the Rangers defeated the
Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-1, at MSG.
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