Who: New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils
Where: The Prudential Center
When: Tuesday night at 7:00 PM
Watch: MSG Network beginning at 6:30 PM
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
**************************************************
The Skinny:
Tuesday in New Jersey the Rangers (34-19-6, 74 pts) seek their third straight victory when they face off with a Devils team (29-24-7, 65 pts) that is looking to snap a three-game skid. The Rangers are coming off Sunday's 1-0 home-ice overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings--one that was secured on Kevin Klein's game-winning goal, and they have now won three of their last four while also posting a 7-1-1 mark over their previous nine contests. That run has helped to secure their hold on second place in the tight Metropolitan Division. New York currently sits five points up on the Islanders and six on the Pittsburgh Penguins, though both of those clubs have games in hand on the Blueshirts. New Jersey meanwhile, coming off a 4-3 loss in Washington Saturday, has lost four of its last five (1-3-1) with all four of those defeats coming against division foes. The Devils enter play four points behind the Islanders for the final playoff seed in the Metropolitan Division and three points behind Pittsburgh for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they have played three more games than New York and two more than the Penguins, making Tuesday's contest extremely important for the team in red. The Rangers will be without injured defenseman Ryan McDonagh--whose sore jaw and neck are both improving--while Rick Nash will miss his 13th straight game with a bad bone bruise in his leg. Rookie Marek Hrivik will get a second consecutive look on the fourth line after playing a little more than seven minutes in his NHL debut on Sunday. Henrik Lundqvist starts in goal for New York, looking for his 30th win, something he has done in nine of the previous ten seasons. The only time in his career Lundqvist did not win 30 or more games was during the lockout-shortened 2013 season. Lundqvist--who will face New Jersey's All Star netminder Cory Schneider again on Tuesday--has posted shutouts in two of his last four starts. Schneider, meanwhile, is seeking his 26th win, which would equal his career-high for a single season. New Jersey is just 8-11-2 vs. Metropolitan Division opponents this year after this weekend's loss in Washington. In that contest Kyle Palmieri scored his team-leading 22nd goal and youngster Reid Boucher recorded three points (1-2-3). The Devils will play without injured veterans Michael Cammalleri, Patrick Elias and Jiri Tlusty and youngster Stefan Matteau.
Head To Head:
The Rangers and Devils, who are playing for the third time in the past three weeks, close out their four-game season series Tuesday night at The Rock in Newark. New York is 1-1-1 so far this season against its Hudson River rival, with all three games decided by one goal. Henrik Lundqvist has allowed only six goals so far in the season series, while his Devils counterpart, Cory Schneider, has surrendered only five goals on 97 shots over the three games. In the only other game so far played at the Prudential Center the Rangers let a 2-1 third-period lead slip away on February 2 in what ended being a 3-2 loss. David Schlemko’s power play goal midway through the third was the game-winner for New Jersey as the Devils were 2-for-2 on the power play in that game. J.T. Miller scored twice in that defeat for the Rangers, and has a team-high three goals this season vs. the Devils. Miller’s three points against New Jersey also lead the Rangers, while Derick Brassard and Jesper Fast each have two points. Over the three games the Rangers are 0-for- 11 on the power play.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Viktor Stalberg: Though the results can’t quite be seen in his offensive statistics, Rangers forward Viktor Stalberg has become one of the team’s most reliable players over the past two months, ditching the inconsistent play which caused him to be a healthy scratch twice in the month of December and once in November. Stalberg has settled into a hard-working two-way role on the third line, and has developed solid chemistry with linemates Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg. Stalberg routinely uses his speed to get in on the forecheck and to create offensive opportunities, as he did for Lindberg early in the third period of Sunday’s game against Detroit. He is also strong on the puck; and many times over the past several weeks he, Hayes and Lindberg have helped get the Rangers going with prolonged shifts in the offensive zone, winning puck battles, playing physically, and wearing down the opposition. Stalberg has just one goal in the past ten games and two in the last 18, and there is no question that the Rangers would love to see him score more often; but he is helping the team in many different areas—including on the penalty kill where he now teams with Derek Stepan up front—and his effort is a given each and every night. The 30 year-old Swede has 15 points (8-7-15) on the season, and none in three games against the Devils. He does, however, own a Stanley Cup ring, one of only two players on the Rangers roster to have won an NHL title. That makes Viktor Stalberg an important Blueshirt in of itself with the playoffs looming in the near distance.
Devils-Lee Stempniak: Former Ranger Lee Stempniak is piecing together a very solid first season in New Jersey with the Devils, though he has been quiet of late offensively. Stempniak has played in all 60 games this season with the Devils after signing as a free agent his past summer, and he currently leads the team with 25 assists and 40 points. However he has been held without a point in his last five games and is without a goal in his last nine. Before that Stempniak was red-hot with five goals and seven points in five games. The Devils are the eighth stop in the 33 year-old Stempniak’s NHL career, one that began in St. Louis with the Blues back in 2005-06. Along the way Stempniak has scored 180 goals and recorded 409 points in 768 career games. This season represents the fourth time he has reached 40 points, with 52 being his career-high. Stempniak began last season with the Rangers before being traded to Winnipeg. In 53 games with the Blueshirts he scored nine goals and totaled 18 points. Now this season against the Rangers Stempniak has two goals and an assist in three games, including the overtime winner for the Devils on October 18 at The Garden, his first goal with New Jersey.
Where: The Prudential Center
When: Tuesday night at 7:00 PM
Watch: MSG Network beginning at 6:30 PM
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
**************************************************
The Skinny:
Tuesday in New Jersey the Rangers (34-19-6, 74 pts) seek their third straight victory when they face off with a Devils team (29-24-7, 65 pts) that is looking to snap a three-game skid. The Rangers are coming off Sunday's 1-0 home-ice overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings--one that was secured on Kevin Klein's game-winning goal, and they have now won three of their last four while also posting a 7-1-1 mark over their previous nine contests. That run has helped to secure their hold on second place in the tight Metropolitan Division. New York currently sits five points up on the Islanders and six on the Pittsburgh Penguins, though both of those clubs have games in hand on the Blueshirts. New Jersey meanwhile, coming off a 4-3 loss in Washington Saturday, has lost four of its last five (1-3-1) with all four of those defeats coming against division foes. The Devils enter play four points behind the Islanders for the final playoff seed in the Metropolitan Division and three points behind Pittsburgh for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, but they have played three more games than New York and two more than the Penguins, making Tuesday's contest extremely important for the team in red. The Rangers will be without injured defenseman Ryan McDonagh--whose sore jaw and neck are both improving--while Rick Nash will miss his 13th straight game with a bad bone bruise in his leg. Rookie Marek Hrivik will get a second consecutive look on the fourth line after playing a little more than seven minutes in his NHL debut on Sunday. Henrik Lundqvist starts in goal for New York, looking for his 30th win, something he has done in nine of the previous ten seasons. The only time in his career Lundqvist did not win 30 or more games was during the lockout-shortened 2013 season. Lundqvist--who will face New Jersey's All Star netminder Cory Schneider again on Tuesday--has posted shutouts in two of his last four starts. Schneider, meanwhile, is seeking his 26th win, which would equal his career-high for a single season. New Jersey is just 8-11-2 vs. Metropolitan Division opponents this year after this weekend's loss in Washington. In that contest Kyle Palmieri scored his team-leading 22nd goal and youngster Reid Boucher recorded three points (1-2-3). The Devils will play without injured veterans Michael Cammalleri, Patrick Elias and Jiri Tlusty and youngster Stefan Matteau.
Head To Head:
The Rangers and Devils, who are playing for the third time in the past three weeks, close out their four-game season series Tuesday night at The Rock in Newark. New York is 1-1-1 so far this season against its Hudson River rival, with all three games decided by one goal. Henrik Lundqvist has allowed only six goals so far in the season series, while his Devils counterpart, Cory Schneider, has surrendered only five goals on 97 shots over the three games. In the only other game so far played at the Prudential Center the Rangers let a 2-1 third-period lead slip away on February 2 in what ended being a 3-2 loss. David Schlemko’s power play goal midway through the third was the game-winner for New Jersey as the Devils were 2-for-2 on the power play in that game. J.T. Miller scored twice in that defeat for the Rangers, and has a team-high three goals this season vs. the Devils. Miller’s three points against New Jersey also lead the Rangers, while Derick Brassard and Jesper Fast each have two points. Over the three games the Rangers are 0-for- 11 on the power play.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Viktor Stalberg: Though the results can’t quite be seen in his offensive statistics, Rangers forward Viktor Stalberg has become one of the team’s most reliable players over the past two months, ditching the inconsistent play which caused him to be a healthy scratch twice in the month of December and once in November. Stalberg has settled into a hard-working two-way role on the third line, and has developed solid chemistry with linemates Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg. Stalberg routinely uses his speed to get in on the forecheck and to create offensive opportunities, as he did for Lindberg early in the third period of Sunday’s game against Detroit. He is also strong on the puck; and many times over the past several weeks he, Hayes and Lindberg have helped get the Rangers going with prolonged shifts in the offensive zone, winning puck battles, playing physically, and wearing down the opposition. Stalberg has just one goal in the past ten games and two in the last 18, and there is no question that the Rangers would love to see him score more often; but he is helping the team in many different areas—including on the penalty kill where he now teams with Derek Stepan up front—and his effort is a given each and every night. The 30 year-old Swede has 15 points (8-7-15) on the season, and none in three games against the Devils. He does, however, own a Stanley Cup ring, one of only two players on the Rangers roster to have won an NHL title. That makes Viktor Stalberg an important Blueshirt in of itself with the playoffs looming in the near distance.
Devils-Lee Stempniak: Former Ranger Lee Stempniak is piecing together a very solid first season in New Jersey with the Devils, though he has been quiet of late offensively. Stempniak has played in all 60 games this season with the Devils after signing as a free agent his past summer, and he currently leads the team with 25 assists and 40 points. However he has been held without a point in his last five games and is without a goal in his last nine. Before that Stempniak was red-hot with five goals and seven points in five games. The Devils are the eighth stop in the 33 year-old Stempniak’s NHL career, one that began in St. Louis with the Blues back in 2005-06. Along the way Stempniak has scored 180 goals and recorded 409 points in 768 career games. This season represents the fourth time he has reached 40 points, with 52 being his career-high. Stempniak began last season with the Rangers before being traded to Winnipeg. In 53 games with the Blueshirts he scored nine goals and totaled 18 points. Now this season against the Rangers Stempniak has two goals and an assist in three games, including the overtime winner for the Devils on October 18 at The Garden, his first goal with New Jersey.
Rangers vs. Devils 2.23.16: Pregame Notes
NEW YORK RANGERS at NEW JERSEY DEVILS
Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, 7:00 p.m. ET
Prudential Center – Newark, NJ
Rangers: 34-19-6 (74 pts)
Devils: 29-24-7 (65 pts)
TONIGHT'S GAME
The
Rangers play their 60th game of the 2015-16 season and begin a
three-game road trip tonight, Feb. 23, against the New Jersey Devils in a
Metropolitan Division matchup at Prudential Center (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 seven of its last nine games (7-1-1), eight of its last
11 games (8-2-1), and 10 of its last 14 games (10-3-1). The Rangers
have earned at least one point in 17 of their last 24 games (15-7-2),
including 16 of their last 22 games (14-6-2) and 15 of their last 20
games (13-5-2). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 34-19-6 record
this season (74 points).
RANGERS VS. DEVILS
- All-Time*: 111-88-27-8 (61-31-20-4 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 fourth of four meetings between the Rangers and Devils, and the second of two meetings between the two teams in New Jersey. The Rangers have posted a 1-1-1 record (1-0-1 at home; 0-1-0 on the road) against New Jersey. The Rangers defeated the Devils, 2-1, in the last meeting between the two teams on Feb. 8 at MSG. Each of the three contests between the two teams has been decided by one goal, and the Rangers have allowed two or fewer goals in two of the three games. J.T. Miller leads all skaters with three goals and leads the Blueshirts with three points in the season series. Henrik Lundqvist has posted a 1-1-1 record, along with a 1.98 GAA and a .922 SV% in the season series.
- New York has earned at least one point in 12 of its last 15 games against New Jersey, dating back to Mar. 19, 2013 (10-3-2). The Rangers have also earned at least one point in nine of their last 10 games against the Devils, dating back to Dec. 7, 2013 (7-1-2).
- The Blueshirts have won five of their last seven road games against the Devils, dating back to Mar. 19, 2013 (5-2-0).
RANGERS-DEVILS CONNECTIONS
- The Devils have two former Rangers on their roster: John Moore (2012-13 - 2014-15) and Lee Stempniak (2014-15).
- 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).
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. DEVILS
- Henrik Lundqvist - 56 GP, 34-15-7, 1.87 GAA, .932 SV%, 8 SO - Lundqvist has earned more career wins and shutouts, and has posted a lower GAA against New Jersey than against any other NHL team in his career. Lundqvist's 56 appearances against the Devils are tied for the most against one opponent in his career (along with Pittsburgh). Lundqvist has posted a 6-1-1 record, along with a 1.73 GAA, a .932 SV%, and 1 SO in his last eight appearances against New Jersey.
- Derek Stepan - 27 GP, 11-12-23 - Stepan has tallied a goal/point in five of his last eight games against the Devils, recording 10 points (seven goals, three assists) over the span.
- Keith Yandle - 12 GP, 1-8-9 - Since he joined the Rangers, Yandle has notched four points (one goal, three assists) in five games against New Jersey.
WINNING WAYS
The
Rangers rank second in the NHL - and lead the Eastern Conference - in
wins (11) and points (23) since Jan. 16 (11-4-1 record over the span).
HIGH FIVE
The
Rangers have posted a plus-35 goal differential at 5-on-5 this season
(119 goals for; 84 goals against). The Blueshirts rank second in the NHL
in goal differential at 5-on-5 in 2015-16 (Washington leads the NHL;
plus-39). New York leads the NHL in goals against and ranks third in the
NHL in goals for at 5-on-5 this season.
ON POINT
Blueshirts
defensemen have registered 119 points (28 goals, 91 assists) in 2015-16
and have tallied 62 points (16 goals, 46 assists) over the last 30
games. The Rangers are one of two NHL teams that have six defensemen who
have recorded 12 or more points this season (along with Carolina).
GOALS GALORE
The
Rangers rank fifth in the NHL in goals per game this season (2.85). New
York has posted a 29-5-3 record when registering three or more goals in
2015-16.
TWO GOOD
The
Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in seven of the last nine
games, in 14 of the last 24 games, and in 34 games this season. New York
has posted a 29-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.
THIRD PERIOD IS THE CHARM
The
Rangers have tallied at least one goal in the third period in 10 of
their last 11 games, including two or more goals in the third period in
seven of those contests (19 goals in the third period over the span).
New York ranks third in the NHL in third period goals this season (70).
TAKING THE METRO
The
Blueshirts have won each of their last four games against Metropolitan
Division opponents. The Rangers have earned at least one point in 15 of
20 games against Metropolitan Division opponents this season (11-5-4
record). The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 39 of their
last 48 games against Metropolitan Division opponents (34-9-5) and have
won 31 of their last 44 intra-division games (31-9-4).
Including tonight's contest, 10 of the Rangers’ final 23 games this season are against Metropolitan Division opponents.
GAMES REMAINING AGAINST METROPOLITAN DIVISION OPPONENTS
| |
OPPONENT
|
GAMES REMAINING
|
Carolina
|
1
|
Columbus
|
2
|
New Jersey*
|
1
|
NY Islanders
|
2
|
Pittsburgh
|
3
|
Washington
|
1
|
*Includes tonight's game against New Jersey
ROAD WARRIORS
The
Rangers have won three consecutive road games, four of their last six
road games (4-2-0), and five of their last eight road contests (5-3-0).
The Blueshirts lead the NHL in wins (65) and lead Eastern Conference
teams in points (137) on the road since the start of the 2013-14 season.
FABULOUS FEBRUARY
New
York has posted a 7-2-1 record in February this season. The Rangers
have registered a 35-12-6 record in February since the start of the
2011-12 season.
30-FOR-30
Henrik Lundqvist enters tonight's game with 29 wins in 2015-16. With his next win this season, Lundqvist would become...
- the first goaltender in NHL history to earn at least 30 wins in 10 of his first 11 NHL seasons
- the third goaltender in NHL history to earn 30 or more wins in at least 10 different seasons, along with Martin Brodeur (14) and Patrick Roy (13)
MOST CAREER 30-WIN SEASONS AMONG NHL GOALTENDERS
| |
1. Martin Brodeur
|
14
|
2. Patrick Roy
|
13
|
T-3. Henrik Lundqvist
|
9
|
T-3. Ed Belfour
|
9
|
Lundqvist
has allowed two goals or fewer in 15 of his last 21 appearances,
including 13 of his last 17 appearances and 12 of his last 15
appearances. He has posted a 12-4-1 record, along with a 1.86 GAA, a
.930 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 17 appearances, including an 11-4-0
record, along with a 1.71 GAA, a .936 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 15
appearances. Lundqvist has also allowed two goals or fewer in six of his
last seven games, including one goal or fewer in four games over the
stretch (6-1-0 record, 1.41 GAA, .942 SV%, 2 SO). Lundqvist has allowed
four even strength goals in eight appearances in February, posting a
.975 SV% at even strength during the month (155 saves on 159 shots). He
is tied for the NHL lead in even strength SV% this season (.940).
Lundqvist enters tonight's contest 41 saves shy of tying Mike Richter’s franchise record for career regular season saves.
NYR CAREER REGULAR SEASON SAVES
| |
1. Mike Richter
|
17,379
|
2. Henrik Lundqvist
|
17,338
|
Lundqvist
enters tonight's contest tied with Evgeni Nabokov for 17th place on the
NHL’s all-time shutouts list (59). He is also one win away from tying
Tom Barrasso for 16th place on the NHL’s all-time wins list.
NHL ALL-TIME WINS LIST
| |
14. John Vanbiesbrouck
|
374
|
15. Andy Moog
|
372
|
16. Tom Barrasso
|
369
|
17. Henrik Lundqvist
|
368
|
Lundqvist
enters tonight's game with 49 appearances this season. With his next
appearance in 2015-16, Lundqvist would establish a record for the most
seasons with 50 or more appearances by a Rangers goaltender in franchise
history (nine; he and Gump Worsley are currently tied for the most in
franchise history with eight).
IT'S MILLER TIME
J.T.
Miller is tied for fifth in the NHL in goals since Jan. 16 (nine). He
leads the Rangers in goals (13) and plus/minus rating (plus-15), and is
tied for second in points (22) over the last 29 games (since Dec. 12,
2015).
BRASS BONANZA
Derick
Brassard has tallied 14 points (seven goals, seven assists) and has
posted a plus-11 rating in the last 11 games. Brassard has established a
career-high - and leads the Rangers - in goals this season (22).
TOO HOT TO YANDLE
Keith
Yandle has recorded a point in 10 of the last 14 games (two goals,
eight assists), including five of the last six games (five assists). He
has notched a point in 31 of 59 games this season, and he leads the
Rangers in games with a point. Yandle also leads the Blueshirts in
assists (29) in 2015-16.
WELCOME MATS
Mats
Zuccarello has tallied an assist/point in six of the last nine games
(two goals, nine assists) and he has posted a multi-point game in three
of the last five contests (two goals, five assists). Zuccarello has
registered all of his 20 goals and 42 of his 46 points this season when
the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were
tied in the contest. In addition, 41 of Zuccarello's team-leading 46
points in 2015-16 have either been a goal or a primary assist.
STEP-AN UP
Derek
Stepan has tallied seven points (four goals, three assists) in the last
six games and has posted a multi-point game in three of the last
five contests (four goals, two assists). Stepan has recorded 16 points
(seven goals, nine assists) in the last 20 games, including 14 points
(five goals, nine assists) in the last 16 contests.
FINE KLEIN
Kevin
Klein recorded the game-winning goal in overtime on Feb. 21 vs.
Detroit. Klein is tied for 10th in the NHL - and leads the Rangers - in
overtime goals since the start of last season (three). Since he made his
Rangers debut on Jan. 23, 2014, Klein leads Blueshirts defensemen in
even strength goals (15), game-winning goals (six), and overtime goals
(three), and is tied for second among team defensemen in goals (15) and
points (44).
ON THE MARC
Marc
Staal has led the Rangers in ice time in each of his last three games,
logging at least 25:00 of ice time in each of the three contests. The
Rangers’ alternate captain has skated in at least 20:00 of ice time in
each of his last eight contests, including 21:00 or more of ice time in
each of his last five games. Staal ranks second on the Rangers in
average ice time in February (22:23). He enters tonight's contest with
598 career NHL games played.
HEY HEY HAYES
Kevin
Hayes has recorded a point in four of the last six games, tallying six
points (three goals, three assists) over the span. He has also
registered 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in the last 19 games,
including eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last 13
contests.
KEVIN HAYES – STATS FOLLOWING THE ALL-STAR BREAK IN HIS NHL CAREER
| |||||
SEASON
|
GP
|
G
|
A
|
P
|
P/GP
|
2014-15
|
38
|
11
|
18
|
29
|
0.76
|
2015-16
|
10
|
3
|
3
|
6
|
0.60
|
TOTAL
|
48
|
14
|
21
|
35
|
0.73
|
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
- The Rangers were 0-for-4 (8:00) on Feb. 21 vs. Detroit.
- The Blueshirts have recorded a power play goal in four of the last five games (5-for-14; 35.7% over the span).
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were 4-for-4 (8:00) on Feb. 21 vs. Detroit.
- New York is 9-for-9 on the penalty kill over the last two games.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- Marc Staal - 2 games away from 600 in his NHL career
- Dan Boyle - 2 points away from 600 in his NHL career
INJURIES (59 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
· Rick Nash (bone bruise; injury suffered on Jan. 22) - week-to-week
· Ryan McDonagh (jaw contusion/neck spasms; injury suffered on Feb. 18) - day-to-day
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
· Feb. 21 - Recalled Marek Hrivik from Hartford (AHL); Assigned Daniel Paille to Hartford (AHL)
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
· Feb.
22, 2009 – The Rangers retired Harry Howell’s No. 3 jersey and Andy
Bathgate’s No. 9 jersey in a pre-game ceremony at Madison Square Garden.
· Feb.
23, 1983 – Mark Pavelich tied a single-game franchise record by
registering five goals as the Rangers defeated the Hartford Whalers,
11-3, at MSG.
· Feb. 23, 1988 – The Rangers signed Brian Leetch to his first NHL contract.
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