RANGERS PREGAME 2/12

MORNING SKATE NOTES: 
Alain Vigneault confirms Annti Raanta will start tonight vs Los Angeles.

Captain Ryan McDonagh (concussion) skated on his own today before team practice.

Both McDonagh & Rick Nash (leg) will not paly vs Kings.

W2W4: Rangers vs. Kings 2.12.16

Who: New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings

Where: Madison Square Garden

When: Friday night at 7:00 PM

Watch: MSG Network beginning at 6:30 PM

Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com

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The Skinny:

The Rangers (31-18-5, 67 pts), return home riding a four-game winning streak to face the Los Angeles Kings following Wednesday night's 3-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center.

It's a rematch of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, and pits two of the top teams in the NHL head-to-head for the first time this season. The Rangers enter the game on its longest winning streak since November, while the Kings (32-18-3, 67 pts) — coming off a loss in Brooklyn Thursday night — sit atop the Pacific Division, though are in a bit of a rut, going 5-5 in its last 10 games.

The Rangers remained without both Rick Nash (bone bruise) and Ryan McDonagh (concussion), and both are expected to miss Friday night's contest. The Rangers, though, have survived without two of their top players, with the Rangers winning the last three games, including last weekend in Philadelphia, when McDonagh was lost following a punch to the head from Wayne Simmonds.

While there was talk a call-up from Hartford to help out the defense — which currently has four righties and two lefties — no move has been made by General Manager Jeff Gorton, so the same six the Rangers have deployed this week are expected to hit the ice tonight at 7 pm.

The Kings are in the middle of a seven-game, 13-day road trip and come into Friday's game a bit banged up, especially in goal as netminder Jonathan Quick missed Thursday's game and is expected to miss tonight's game as well, as he's listed day-to-day. Goaltender Jhonas Enroth made 25 saves in the loss against the Islanders, though it is unknown if he'll be the starter tonight.

Head-to-Head:

Tonight marks the first of two meetings between the Rangers and Kings, and the only at Madison Square Garden. The two teams split the two-game season series last year, with the road team winning each game. The Rangers posted six goals in the two games, with each goal being decided by two goals or fewer. Defenseman Dan Boyle led the Rangers with a goal and two assists in the two games.

Players to Watch:

Rangers: Keith Yandle: While it is never a positive to lose your top defenseman, the opportunity opens the door for another player to step up, and that's what Keith Yandle has done in the absence of McDonagh. Since McDonagh was lost in the first period in Saturday's game in Philadelphia, Yandle has seen his ice time and production increase, as he's been relied on more heavily from head coach Alain Vigneault. On Feb. 4 against Minnesota, Yandle played 15:40; the following game (against the Flyers), Yandle played 27:33 with a goal and four shots. He followed it up with 25:19 and five shots against the Devils, and 22:43 Wednesday in Pittsburgh, where he had an assist on Kevin Hayes' game-winning goal. Yandle currently sits fifth on the team with 29 points, three points ahead of McDonagh for most points by a defenseman.

Kings: Anze Kopitar: At this point in his carere with two Stanley Cups and a new monster contract to his name, it still sounds funny to consider Anze Kopitar an underrated player. But that is still the case, even despite his 47 points in 53 games this season. What makes Kopitar so dangerous is his play in all three zones. Now in his 10th season in the NHL, Kopitar has finished in the top-10 for the Selke Award for the top defensive forward five times, showing he's just as responsible in his own end as he is dangerous in the opponents'. Kopitar comes into Friday's game red-hot. While he was kept off the scoresheet in Brooklyn, Kopitar has seven points in his last eight games, all assists. 

Rangers vs. Kings 2.12.16: Pregame Notes

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. LOS ANGELES KINGS

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, 7:00 p.m. ET

Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

Rangers: 31-18-5 (67 pts)

Kings: 32-17-3 (67 pts)* 

TONIGHT'S GAME

The Rangers play their 55th game of the 2015-16 season and begin a three-game homestand tonight, Feb. 12, against the Los Angeles Kings at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts are in second place in the Metropolitan Division and third place in the Eastern Conference. New York has won each of its last four games, five of its last six games (5-1-0), and seven of its last nine games (7-2-0). The Rangers have earned at least one point in 13 of their last 19 games (12-6-1), including 12 of their last 17 games (11-5-1) and 11 of their last 15 games (10-4-1). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 31-18-5 record this season (67 points).

RANGERS VS. KINGS

• All-Time: 67-45-16-1 (37-20-6-0 at home; 30-25-10-1 on the road) 
• 2015-16: Tonight's game is the first of two meetings between the Rangers and Kings, and the only meeting between the two teams at MSG. Following tonight's game, the Rangers and Kings will face off against each other on the following date: Mar. 17 (at Los Angeles).
• 2014-15: The Rangers posted a 1-1-0 record (0-1-0 at home; 1-0-0 on the road) against Los Angeles. The Blueshirts recorded six goals in the two contests, and each of the two games was decided by two or fewer goals. Dan Boyle led the Rangers with three points (one goal, two assists) in the season series.
• The Rangers have earned at least one point in six of their last nine games against the Kings, dating back to Dec. 17, 2008 (5-3-1).

RANGERS-KINGS CONNECTIONS

• Marian Gaborik played parts of four seasons with the Rangers (2009-10 - 2012-13).
• Dan Boyle and Vincent Lecavalier were teammates with the Lightning for parts of six seasons (2001-02 - 2007-08) and helped Tampa Bay win the Stanley Cup in 2003-04.
• Daniel Paille and Milan Lucic were teammates with the Bruins for six seasons (2009-10 - 2014-15) and helped Boston win the Stanley Cup in 2010-11.
• Derek Stepan and Jamie McBain were teammates at the University of Wisconsin for one season (2008-09).
• Dan Girardi and Dustin Brown were teammates with the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) for part of one season (2002-03).
• Darryl Williams played part of one season with the Kings (1992-93).

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. KINGS

• Henrik Lundqvist - 8 GP, 3-4-1, 2.47 GAA, .916 SV% - Lundqvist has posted a 1.01 GAA and a .966 SV% (57 saves on 59 shots) in his last two appearances against Los Angeles.
• Antti Raanta - 2 GP, 2-0-0, 0.50 GAA, .979 SV%, 1 SO - Raanta has stopped 47 of 48 shots he has faced in two career appearances against the Kings.
• Dan Boyle - 42 GP, 9-17-26 - Boyle enters the contest with a three-game assist/point streak against the Kings (one goal, three assists).
• Keith Yandle - 42 GP, 5-19-24 - Yandle has tallied 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in his last 11 games against Los Angeles.

TOP OF THE HEAP

The Rangers lead the NHL in wins (eight) and points (16) since Jan. 16 (8-3-0 record in 11 games over the span).

HOME COOKING

The Rangers enter the contest with a five-game winning streak at home, as well as an eight-game point streak at home (7-0-1). The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 10 of their last 11 home contests (9-1-1) and have posted a 19-4-1 record in their last 24 home games. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 21 of their last 25 home games (19-4-2) and in 22 of 27 home games in 2015-16 (20-5-2). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rangers have earned at least 20 wins in their first 27 home games of a season for the second time in franchise history (1972-73; 21-5-1). New York is tied for second in the NHL – and is tied for first among Eastern Conference teams – in wins (20) and points (42) at home this season.

HIGH FIVE

The Rangers have posted a plus-32 goal differential at 5-on-5 this season (112 goals for; 80 goals against). The Blueshirts rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in 2015-16 (Washington leads the NHL; plus-37). New York has not allowed a goal at even strength in each of the last two games. The Rangers have not allowed more than one even strength or 5-on-5 goal in each of their last five games, dating back to Feb. 2 (three even strength goals allowed over the span).

NHL 5-ON-5 GOAL DIFFERENTIAL LEADERS
TEAM	5-ON-5 GOAL DIFFERENTIAL
1. WSH	37 (114-77)
2. NYR	32 (112-80)
3. FLA	20 (99-79)
4. DAL	14 (112-98)
5. DET	11 (86-75)

ON POINT

At least one Rangers defenseman has tallied a point on 25 of the team's last 37 goals, dating back to the third period on Jan. 5 vs. Dallas. Blueshirts defensemen have registered 111 points (26 goals, 85 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 54 points (14 goals, 40 assists) over the last 25 games. The Rangers are the only NHL team that has six defensemen who have recorded 11 or more points this season.

WHAT A LINE

Over the last eight games, Derick Brassard, Jesper Fast, and J.T. Miller have registered 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists). The trio has also recorded 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) in the last six contests. Each player has registered at least six points and a plus-nine rating over the last six games.

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers rank fifth in the NHL in goals per game this season (2.83). New York has tallied three or more goals (including team goals awarded for a shootout win) in 33 games this season. The Rangers have posted a 27-4-2 record when registering three or more goals in 2015-16.

TWO GOOD

The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in each of the last four games, in 11 of the last 19 games, and in 31 games this season. New York has posted a 26-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.

THREE’S COMPANY

New York has posted a 26-9-3 record in the 38 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 12 of the last 16 games, including 11 of the last 13 contests. The Blueshirts have outshot their opponent or tied their opponent in shots on goal in 10 of the last 12 games, including nine of the last 10 contests.

SMOOTH SAILING ON THE PACIFIC

The Blueshirts have posted a 7-2-1 record against Pacific Division opponents this season, including a 6-0-0 record against Pacific Division opponents at MSG. The Rangers have outscored Pacific Division opponents, 22-8, at MSG in 2015-16.

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist is one appearance away from passing Mike Richter for the most career appearances by a goaltender in Rangers history. He enters the contest with a four-game winning streak (1.23 GAA, .954 SV%, 1 SO over the span). Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of his last 18 appearances, including 11 of his last 14 appearances and 10 of his last 12 appearances. He has posted a 10-3-1 record, along with a 1.90 GAA, a .932 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 14 appearances, as well as a 9-3-0 record, along with a 1.73 GAA, a .939 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 12 appearances. Lundqvist has stopped all 53 shots he has faced at even strength over the last two games, and he has posted a .972 SV% at even strength over the last five games (105 saves on 108 shots).

CAREER REGULAR SEASON APPEARANCES		CAREER REGULAR SEASON SAVES
T-1. Henrik Lundqvist	666	1. Mike Richter	17,379
T-1. Mike Richter	666	2. Henrik Lundqvist	17,280

CAREER APPEARANCES BY A GOALTENDER WITH ONE FRANCHISE
1. Martin Brodeur (NJD)	1,259
2. Tony Esposito (CHI)	873
3. Terry Sawchuk (DET)	734
4. Olaf Kolzig (WSH)	711
5. Billy Smith (NYI)	675
T-6. Henrik Lundqvist (NYR)	666
T-6. Mike Richter (NYR)	666

Lundqvist earned his 366th career NHL win in his last appearance on Feb. 10 at Pittsburgh, passing Martin Brodeur for the most wins a goaltender has earned in his first 11 seasons in NHL history.

Lundqvist enters the contest with a five-game winning streak at home (1.78 GAA and .928 SV% over the span), as well as an eight-game point streak at home (7-0-1 record, 2.09 GAA, .914 SV%). In his last 19 games at MSG (since Oct. 22, 2015), Lundqvist has posted a 16-2-1 record, along with a 2.15 GAA, a .923 SV%, and 2 SO. He ranks third among NHL goaltenders in wins at home in 2015-16 (17; 17-3-2 record, 2.17 GAA, .923 SV%, 2 SO at home this season).

Entering tonight's contest, Lundqvist has started 20 of the Rangers’ last 21 games, including each of the team’s last nine games. He has started at least 10 consecutive games in one season 12 times in his career, including an 11-game stretch this season from Dec. 18, 2015 – Jan. 16, 2016.

HENRIK LUNDQVIST – 10 OR MORE CONSECUTIVE STARTS IN ONE SEASON
CONSECUTIVE STARTS	DATES
26	Feb. 11, 2011 – Apr. 9, 2011
19	Jan. 13, 2007 – Mar. 1, 2007
17	Mar. 5, 2007 – Apr. 7, 2007
17	Nov. 30, 2009 – Jan. 6, 2010
17	Mar. 7, 2010 – Apr. 11, 2010
16	Oct. 4, 2007 – Nov. 8, 2007
15	Feb. 16, 2008 – Mar. 19, 2008
14	Apr. 1, 2013 – Apr. 27, 2013
13	Feb. 9, 2009 – Mar. 8, 2009
11	Jan. 5, 2008 – Jan. 29, 2008
11	Dec. 18, 2015 – Jan. 16, 2016
10	Mar. 17, 2012 – Apr. 3, 2012

IT'S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller has established career-highs in goals (17), points (30), and game-winning goals (five), and has tied his career-high in assists (13) this season. Miller ranks third in the NHL in goals since Jan. 16 (nine) and is tied for third in the NHL in goals since Dec. 12, 2015 (13). He has recorded a goal in seven of the last 11 games (nine goals), including six of the last nine games (eight goals) and four of the last six games (five goals).

Miller has registered a goal in each of the Rangers' last four games at MSG, and he has recorded the game-winning goal in three of those four contests. He has notched 18 points (13 goals, five assists) and has posted a plus-13 rating in the last 24 games. Among NHL players 22 years old or younger, Miller is tied for fifth in goals this season. 

NHL GOALS LEADERS SINCE JAN. 16, 2016		NHL GOALS LEADERS SINCE DEC. 12, 2015
PLAYER	GOALS	PLAYER	GOALS
1. Sidney Crosby (PIT)	12	1. Sidney Crosby (PIT)	18
2. Brad Marchand (BOS)	10	2. Alex Ovechkin (WSH)	17
3. J.T. Miller (NYR)	9	T-3. J.T. Miller (NYR)	13
		T-3. Tyler Seguin (DAL)	13
		T-3. Patrick Kane (CHI)	13
		T-3. Shane Doan (ARI)	13

BRASS BONANZA

Derick Brassard has tallied nine points (three goals, six assists) and has posted a plus-11 rating in the last six games (since Jan. 25). He leads the NHL in plus/minus rating and is tied for fifth in the NHL in points since Jan. 25.

In 26 games at MSG this season, Brassard has recorded 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) and a plus-20 rating. He is tied for second in the NHL in plus/minus rating, is tied for sixth in points, and is tied for eighth in goals at home this season. Brassard has notched 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in his last 29 games, and he leads the Blueshirts in points (40) and plus/minus rating (plus-17) this season.

TOO HOT TO YANDLE

Keith Yandle has notched a point in 27 of 54 games this season, and he leads the Rangers in games with a point. Yandle ranks fourth among NHL defensemen in games with an assist (23) and is tied for seventh among NHL defensemen in games with a point (27) in 2015-16. The Blueshirts have posted a 20-5-2 record when Yandle has notched a point this season. He leads the Rangers in assists (25) and leads team defensemen in points (29) this season.

DAN'S THE MAN

Dan Girardi enters the contest with 699 career games played as a Ranger. He is one game away from becoming the fifth defenseman to skate in at least 700 games with the Blueshirts in franchise history (along with Harry Howell, Brian Leetch, Ron Greschner, and Jim Neilson). Girardi is tied for third in the NHL (min. 10 games played) in blocked shots per game (2.6; 124 blocked shots in 48 games) and ranks seventh in the NHL in blocked shots (124) this season.

FAST FACTS

Jesper Fast enters the contest with a career-high three-game point streak (one goal, two assists). He has tallied a point in six of the last eight games, recording seven points (one goal, six assists) and a plus-10 rating over the span. Fast has also registered a point in five of the last six games (one goal, five assists, and a plus-nine rating over the span). He has posted a plus-one rating or better in six consecutive games. Fast has registered 13 points (four goals, nine assists) and has posted a plus-13 rating in the last 23 games.

STEP-AN UP

Derek Stepan has tallied 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in the last 15 games, including eight points (one goal, seven assists) in the last 11 contests. The Rangers have posted a 28-13-3 record in games which Stepan has played this season, including a 17-2-1 record in games which he has notched a point in 2015-16.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 0-for-1 (2:00) on Feb. 10 at Pittsburgh.

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 2-for-2 (4:00) on Feb. 10 at Pittsburgh.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Dan Girardi - 1 game away from 700 in his NHL career
• Derek Stepan - 2 goals away from 100 in his NHL career
• Dan Boyle - 3 points away from 600 in his NHL career

INJURIES (51 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

·         Rick Nash (bone bruise; injury suffered on Jan. 22) - day-to-day

·         Ryan McDonagh (concussion; injury suffered on Feb. 6) - day-to-day

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

·         Feb. 5 - Assigned Jayson Megna to Hartford (AHL)

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

·         Feb. 11, 1968 – The Rangers played their final game at the “Old Garden” (MSG III). The Blueshirts tied the Detroit Red Wings, 3-3.

·         Feb. 11, 1994 – Due to a snowstorm in the New York area, the Rangers’ contest against the Quebec Nordiques was postponed.

·         Feb. 11, 2001 – Theo Fleury tallied his seventh shorthanded goal of the 2000-01 season as the Rangers tied the New Jersey Devils, 1-1. Fleury’s seven shorthanded goals are a single-season franchise record.

·         Feb. 12, 1966 – Reg Fleming, Vic Hadfield, and Jean Ratelle each registered four points as the Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins, 9-2, at MSG.

·         Feb. 12, 1972 – The Rangers established several franchise records during an 8-3 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Walt Tkaczuk registered five assists to establish a single-game franchise record. Jean Ratelle tallied two goals in the contest and recorded his 89th point of the 1971-72 season, establishing a franchise record for points in one season (at the time). Brad Park tallied his second hat trick of the 1971-72 season and established a franchise record for goals by a defenseman in one season (at the time).