Rangers vs. Devils 2.8.16: Pregame Notes

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. NEW JERSEY DEVILS

Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, 7:00 p.m. ET

Madison Square Garden – New York, NY

Rangers: 29-18-5 (63 pts)

Devils: 26-20-7 (59 pts) 

TONIGHT'S GAME

The Rangers play their 53rd game of the 2015-16 season tonight, Feb. 8, against the New Jersey Devils in a Metropolitan Division matchup 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. New York has won each of its last two games, three of its last four games (3-1-0), and five of its last seven games (5-2-0). The Rangers have earned at least one point in 11 of their last 17 games (10-6-1), including 10 of their last 15 games (9-5-1) and nine of their last 13 games (8-4-1). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 29-18-5 record this season (63 points).

RANGERS PRACTICE SCHEDULE

Prior to tomorrow’s contest, the Rangers will have a morning skate at 10:30 a.m. at Madison Square Garden. Rangers Head Coach Alain Vigneault will be available to the media following the morning skate.

*Schedule and availability subject to change

RANGERS VS. DEVILS

• All-Time*: 110-88-27-8 (60-31-20-4 at home; 50-57-7-4 on the road) *Note: All-time record includes games against the Kansas City Scouts from 1974-75 - 1975-76 and the Colorado Rockies from 1976-77 - 1981-82
• 2015-16: Tonight's game is the third of four meetings between the Rangers and Devils, and the second of two meetings between the two teams at MSG. The Rangers have posted a 0-1-1 record (0-0-1 at home; 0-1-0 on the road) against New Jersey. The Rangers were defeated by the Devils, 3-2, in the last meeting between the two teams on Feb. 2 at New Jersey. J.T. Miller leads the Rangers with two goals and two points in the season series. Following tonight's game, the Rangers and Devils will face off against each other on the following date: Feb. 23 (at New Jersey).
• New York has earned at least one point in 11 of its last 14 games against the Devils, dating back to Mar. 19, 2013 (9-3-2 record).
• The Rangers have earned at least one point in eight of their last nine home games against the Devils, dating back to Feb. 27, 2012 (6-1-2).

RANGERS-DEVILS CONNECTIONS

• The Devils have two former Rangers on their roster: John Moore (2012-13 - 2014-15) and Lee Stempniak (2014-15).
• Skellefteå, Sweden natives Oscar Lindberg and Adam Larsson were teammates with Skellefteå's U-18 team, U-20 team, and senior team in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) over parts of four seasons (2007-08 - 2010-11).
• Tanner Glass and Lee Stempniak were teammates with the Rangers (2014-15) and Penguins (2013-14), as well as with Dartmouth College (2003-04 – 2004-05).
• Kevin Klein and Jordin Tootoo were teammates with the Predators for parts of seven seasons (2005-06 - 2011-12), as well as with the Predators' AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, for two seasons (2004-05 - 2005-06).
• Jim Schoenfeld served as Devils Head Coach for parts of three seasons (1987-88 - 1989-90) and guided the Devils to within one game of the Stanley Cup Final in 1987-88.
• Fred Shero, the father of Devils Executive Vice President and General Manager Ray Shero, played parts of three seasons with the Rangers (1947-48 – 1949-50) and was the Blueshirts’ head coach for parts of three seasons (1978-79 – 1980-81).
• Kevin Hayes and Devils Assistant General Manager Tom Fitzgerald are cousins.
• Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, and Kyle Palmieri helped Team USA capture a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Cory Schneider's first NHL head coach was Alain Vigneault (2008-09 - 2012-13 with Vancouver).
• Massachusetts natives Chris Kreider (Boxford, MA) and Cory Schneider (Marblehead, MA) both attended Phillips Academy Andover (Kreider - 2007-08 - 2008-09; Schneider - 2002-03 - 2003-04) and Boston College (Kreider - 2009-10 - 2011-12; Schneider - 2004-05 - 2006-07). Both players captured at least two Hockey East Championships during their tenure with Boston College (Kreider - three straight seasons from 2009-10 - 2011-12; Schneider - 2004-05 and 2006-07), and they both represented the United States at the IIHF World Junior Championship (Kreider - 2009-10 and 2010-11; Schneider - 2004-05 and 2005-06).
• Stefan Matteau is the son of former Rangers forward and 1994 Stanley Cup Champion Stephane Matteau.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. DEVILS

• Henrik Lundqvist - 55 GP, 33-15-7, 1.88 GAA, .931 SV%, 8 SO - In 28 career home games against the Devils, Lundqvist has posted a 19-5-4 record, along with a 1.47 GAA, a .945 SV%, and 6 SO.
• Derek Stepan - 26 GP, 11-12-23 - Since he entered the NHL at the start of the 2010-11 season, Stepan leads all NHL players in points against New Jersey.

HOME COOKING

The Rangers enter the contest with a four-game winning streak at home, as well as a seven-game point streak at home (6-0-1). The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in nine of their last 10 home contests (8-1-1) and have posted an 18-4-1 record in their last 23 home games. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 20 of their last 24 home games (18-4-2) and in 21 of 26 home games in 2015-16 (19-5-2). The Rangers' 19 wins and 40 points through 26 home games this season are the most they have recorded in the first 26 home games of one season since 1995-96 (19-2-5; 43 points). The Rangers lead the NHL in goals for (87) and rank second in the NHL in goals per game (3.35) at home this season. In addition, the Rangers are tied for second in the NHL - and are tied for first among Eastern Conference teams - in wins and points at home in 2015-16.

HIGH FIVE

The Rangers have posted a plus-28 goal differential at 5-on-5 this season (108 goals for; 80 goals against). The Blueshirts rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in 2015-16.

ON POINT

At least one Rangers defenseman has tallied a point on 23 of the team's last 34 goals, dating back to the third period on Jan. 5 vs. Dallas. Blueshirts defensemen have registered 108 points (25 goals, 83 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 51 points (13 goals, 38 assists) over the last 23 games. New York is tied for sixth in the NHL - and tied for first among Eastern Conference teams - in points by defensemen in 2015-16. The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that have six defensemen who have recorded 10 or more points this season.

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers rank fifth in the NHL - and rank third among Eastern Conference teams - in goals per game this season (2.85). New York has tallied three or more goals (including team goals awarded for a shootout win) in 32 games this season. The Rangers have posted a 26-4-2 record when registering three or more goals in 2015-16.

TWO GOOD

The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in nine of their last 17 games and in 29 games this season. New York has posted a 24-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.

SHOOTING GALLERY

The Rangers have recorded 30 or more shots on goal in 11 of the last 14 games, including 10 of the last 11 contests (33.1 shots on goal per game over the last 14 games). The Blueshirts have outshot their opponent or tied their opponent in shots on goal in eight consecutive games and in nine of the last 10 games.

TAKING THE METRO

The Rangers have earned at least one point in 12 of 17 games against Metropolitan Division opponents this season (8-5-4 record). The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 36 of their last 45 games against Metropolitan Division opponents (31-9-5) and have won 28 of their last 41 intra-division games (28-9-4).

Including tonight's contest, 13 of the Rangers’ final 30 games this season are against Metropolitan Division opponents.

GAMES REMAINING AGAINST METROPOLITAN DIVISION OPPONENTS
OPPONENT	GAMES REMAINING
Carolina	1
Columbus	2
New Jersey*	2
NY Islanders	2
Philadelphia	1
Pittsburgh	4
Washington	1

*Includes tonight's game against New Jersey

THREE’S COMPANY

New York has posted a 24-9-3 record in the 36 games which Dan Girardi, Kevin Klein, and Derek Stepan have all been in the team's lineup this season.

AV SQUAD

Alain Vigneault enters the contest with 549 career wins as an NHL head coach. He is one win away from passing Marc Crawford for sole possession of 15th place on the NHL's all-time wins list for coaches.

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist is one win away from tying Martin Brodeur for the most wins a goaltender has earned in his first 11 NHL seasons. Entering tonight's contest, Lundqvist has appeared in one fewer game through his first 11 seasons than Brodeur appeared in during his first 11 seasons.

HENRIK LUNDQVIST AND MARTIN BRODEUR – FIRST 11 NHL SEASONS
GOALTENDER	APPEARANCES	RECORD	GAA	SV%	SO
Martin Brodeur	665	365-191-94	2.19	.912	64
Henrik Lundqvist	664	364-222-69	2.27	.921	57

MOST WINS IN FIRST 11 NHL SEASONS	MOST APPEARANCES BY A GOALTENDER IN FIRST 11 NHL SEASONS
1. Martin Brodeur - 365	1. Roberto Luongo - 672
2. Henrik Lundqvist - 364	2. Martin Brodeur - 665
3. Marc-Andre Fleury - 322	3. Henrik Lundqvist - 664

Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 11 of his last 16 appearances, including nine of his last 12 appearances and eight of his last 10 appearances. He has posted an 8-3-1 record, along with a 2.13 GAA and a .922 SV% in his last 12 appearances, as well as a 7-3-0 record, along with a 1.97 GAA and a .929 SV% in his last 10 appearances.

In addition to the franchise records he already holds or shares, Lundqvist is close to establishing Rangers records for career regular season appearances by a goaltender and career regular season saves.

CAREER REGULAR SEASON APPEARANCES	CAREER REGULAR SEASON SAVES
1. Mike Richter – 666	1. Mike Richter – 17,379
2. Henrik Lundqvist – 664	2. Henrik Lundqvist – 17,219

IT'S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller has established career-highs in goals (16), points (29), and game-winning goals (four), and has tied his career-high in assists (13) this season. Miller ranks third in the NHL in goals since Jan. 16 (eight) and is tied for sixth in the NHL in goals since Dec. 12, 2015 (12). He has recorded a goal in six of the last nine games (eight goals), including five of the last seven games (seven goals) and three of the last four games (four goals). Miller has notched 17 points (12 goals, five assists) in the last 22 contests (since Dec. 12). Over the last 22 games, Miller leads the team in goals, and is tied for the team lead in points and plus/minus rating (plus-11). Among NHL players 22 years old or younger, Miller is tied for seventh in goals this season.

BRASS BONANZA

Derick Brassard has registered 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) and has posted a plus-19 rating in 25 games at MSG this season. He is tied for fourth in the NHL in plus/minus rating, ranks sixth in points, and is tied for eighth in goals at home in 2015-16. He has recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) and has posted a plus-nine rating in the last four games, and he leads the Rangers in points (39) and plus/minus rating (plus-15) this season.

TOO HOT TO YANDLE

Keith Yandle has registered at least one point in 26 of 52 games this season, and he leads the Rangers in games with at least one point. Yandle is tied for fourth among NHL defensemen in games with at least one assist (22) and ranks eighth among NHL defensemen in games with at least one point (26) in 2015-16.

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh has registered 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in the last 40 games, including 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in the last 25 contests and nine points (two goals, seven assists) in the last 12 games. He is one of three NHL defensemen who have registered at least seven goals, 26 points, and a plus-13 rating this season (along with Duncan Keith and John Klingberg). 

STEP-AN UP

Derek Stepan has registered seven points (one goal, six assists) in the last nine games, as well as nine points (three goals, six assists) in the last 13 contests. The Rangers have posted a 16-2-1 record when Stepan has recorded at least one point this season, as well as a 26-13-3 record in games which he has played in 2015-16.

DAN'S THE MAN

Dan Girardi enters the contest with 697 career games played as a Ranger (regular season only). He is one game away from tying Mark Messier and Steve Vickers for 11th place on the franchise's all-time games played list.

RANGERS ALL-TIME GAMES PLAYED LIST

10. Andy Bathgate – 719

T-11. Mark Messier – 698

T-11. Steve Vickers – 698

13. Dan Girardi – 697

SPECIAL TEAMS

• The Rangers have posted an 8-1-2 record when outscoring opponents on special teams this season.

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 0-for-2 (2:16) on Feb. 6 at Philadelphia.

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 3-for-4 (6:15) on Feb. 6 at Philadelphia.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

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

INJURIES (47 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

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

·         Ryan McDonagh (injury suffered on Feb. 6) 

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

·         Feb. 3 - Recalled Jayson Megna from Hartford (AHL)

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

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

·         Feb. 7, 1976 – Rod Gilbert recorded his seventh career NHL hat trick and his third career four-goal game, tallying four goals on four shots on goal as the Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings, 5-4. John Davidson made 36 saves to earn the win.

·         Feb. 8, 1991 – The Rangers tallied five goals within the first 12 minutes of the game and defeated the Vancouver Canucks, 8-1, at MSG.

·         Feb. 8, 1996 – The Rangers extended their home unbeaten streak to 23 games by defeating the New York Islanders, 6-2, at MSG.

·         Feb. 8, 1997 – Mark Messier registered the final hat trick of his NHL career, tallying three goals as the Rangers defeated the New York Islanders, 5-2. Messier became the first Ranger to record a hat trick at Nassau Coliseum.