NEW YORK RANGERS at SAN JOSE SHARKS
Saturday, Mar. 19, 2016, 4:00 p.m. ET
SAP Center at San Jose – San Jose, CA
Rangers: 40-23-8 (88 pts)
Sharks: 39-25-6 (84 pts)
TONIGHT'S GAME
The
Rangers play their 72nd game of the 2015-16 season and conclude a
three-game road trip tonight, Mar. 19, against the San Jose Sharks at
SAP Center at San Jose (4:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG+; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM).
New York has earned at least one point in eight of its last 11 games
(6-3-2). The Blueshirts have won eight of their last 14 games (8-4-2),
13 of their last 21 games (13-5-3), and 16 of their last 26 games
(16-7-3). The Rangers have also earned at least one point in 25 of their
last 36 games (21-11-4), including 24 of their last 34 games (20-10-4)
and 23 of their last 32 games (19-9-4). The Blueshirts enter the contest
with a 40-23-8 record this season (88 points).
RANGERS VS. SHARKS
- All-Time: 23-8-3-0 (11-4-1-0 at home; 12-4-2-0 on the road)
- 2015-16: Tonight's game is the second of two meetings between the Rangers and Sharks, and the only meeting between the two teams in San Jose. The Rangers have posted a 1-0-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 0-0-0 on the road) against San Jose. The Blueshirts defeated the Sharks, 4-0, in the only meeting between the two teams on Oct. 19 at Madison Square Garden. Jesper Fast and Marc Staal each registered two points (one goal, one assist) in the game, while Viktor Stalberg and Mats Zuccarello each recorded a goal. Antti Raanta stopped all 22 shots he faced to earn his first win and shutout as a Ranger while making his debut with the Blueshirts.
- The Rangers enter the contest with a three-game winning streak against San Jose, outscoring the Sharks, 11-1, in the three contests.
- New York has allowed one goal or fewer in each of its last four games against the Sharks (two goals against over the span).
RANGERS-SHARKS CONNECTIONS
- Dan Boyle played with the Sharks for six seasons (2008-09 - 2013-14). Boyle is the franchise's all-time leader in assists and points by a defenseman (201 assists and 269 points).
- Dominic Moore skated in 23 regular season games and three playoff games with the Sharks during the 2011-12 season.
- Rick Nash and Joe Thornton were teammates with Team Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics, and they helped Team Canada capture a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. In addition, Nash and Thornton were teammates with HC Davos of National League A (NLA) in Switzerland in 2004-05 and 2012-13.
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. SHARKS
- Henrik Lundqvist – 8 GP, 4-3-0, 2.03 GAA, .938 SV%, 1 SO – Lundqvist's .938 SV% against San Jose is the best he has posted against any NHL team in his career. In his last three games against the Sharks, Lundqvist has posted a 2-1-0 record, along with a 0.67 GAA, a .978 SV% (91 saves on 93 shots), and 1 SO.
- Rick Nash – 38 GP, 19-8-27 – Nash has tallied a point in each of his last three contests against the Sharks (two goals, one assist). In addition, he has registered 10 points (eight goals, two assists) in his last 12 games against San Jose.
- Eric Staal – 13 GP, 5-5-10 – Staal has notched a point in nine of 13 career games against San Jose, and he has recorded seven points (three goals, four assists) in his last eight games against the Sharks.
- Derick Brassard – 20 GP, 0-10-10 – Brassard has registered five assists/points in his last seven games against the Sharks.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
The
Blueshirts conclude their three-game stretch in California with
today's contest. The Blueshirts earned at least one point in each of the
first two games of their trip in California (1-0-1 record). In 2014-15,
the Rangers earned a win in all three games on the road against the
Ducks, Kings, and Sharks, marking the first time New York defeated all
three teams on the road and swept the three teams on one road trip in
the same season in franchise history.
SMOOTH SAILING ON THE PACIFIC
The
Rangers have posted an 8-2-3 record against Pacific Division opponents
this season. Since the start of last season, the Blueshirts have posted a
19-4-4 record against teams in the Pacific Division, including a 9-2-2
record on the road against Pacific Division teams over the span.
ROAD WARRIORS
The
Blueshirts lead the NHL with 70 road wins since the start of the
2013-14 season. The Rangers’ 70 road wins over the last three seasons
are the most over any three-season span in franchise history. The
Rangers have earned at least one point in each of the last five road
games (3-0-2) and have won eight of the last 12 road games (8-2-2),
including five of the last eight road contests (5-1-2).
HIGH FIVE
The
Blueshirts rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in
2015-16 (plus-34; 141 goals for, 107 goals against - Washington leads
the NHL; plus-37).
TWO GOOD
The
Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of the last 21 games,
in 20 of the last 36 games, and in 40 games this season. New York has
posted a 35-3-2 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 20 of
their last 23 games (30 third period goals over the span). New York
ranks third in the NHL in third period goals this season (81).
ON POINT
At
least one Rangers defenseman has registered a point on 24 of the team's
last 32 goals. Blueshirts defensemen have recorded 143 points (35
goals, 108 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 86 points (23 goals, 63
assists) in the last 42 games.
KING HENRIK
Henrik
Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 17 of his last 28
appearances, including 15 of his last 24 appearances and 14 of his last
22 appearances. He has posted a 14-7-3 record, along with a 2.22 GAA, a
.925 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 24 appearances, including a 13-7-2
record, along with a 2.15 GAA, a .927 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 22
appearances. Lundqvist is tied for the NHL lead in even strength SV%
this season (.938).
IT'S MILLER TIME
J.T.
Miller tallied two points (one goal, one assist) in the Rangers' last
game on Mar. 17 at Los Angeles. He enters the contest with a three-game
point streak, as well as a three-game assist streak (one goal, three
assists), and both streaks are tied for his career-high. Miller has also
registered a point in four of the last five games (two goals, three
assists). He leads the Rangers in goals (13) and points (26) on the road
in 2015-16.
FINE KLEIN
Kevin
Klein enters the contest with a three-game point streak (two goals, two
assists), and he has tallied a point in four of the last five games (two
goals, three assists). He is tied for second among NHL defensemen in
game-winning goals since the start of last season (eight).
BOYLE-ING POINT
Dan
Boyle tallied his 20th point of the 2015-16 season in the Rangers’ last
game on Mar. 17 at Los Angeles. Boyle is the only NHL defenseman who
has registered at least 20 points in each of the last 15 seasons
(2000-01 – 2015-16). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Boyle is the
20th defenseman who has recorded 20 or more points in at least 15
consecutive seasons in NHL history.
WELCOME MATS
Mats
Zuccarello has notched 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in the last
21 games, including five points (one goal, four assists) in the last
five games. He has registered all of his 22 goals and 49 of his 53
points this season when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed
by one goal, or were tied in the contest. In addition, 46 of
Zuccarello's 53 points in 2015-16 have either been a goal or a primary
assist.
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan
has notched a point in five of the last seven games (two goals, five
assists), as well as seven of the last 10 games (three goals, six
assists). He has tallied 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in the
last 18 games, as well as 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in the
last 28 contests. The Rangers have posted a 37-18-6 record in games
which Stepan has played this season, including a 23-4-3 record in games
which he has notched a point in 2015-16.
TOO HOT TO YANDLE
Keith
Yandle is tied for third among NHL defensemen in primary assists this
season (22), and he is one of six NHL defensemen who have tallied at
least 20 even strength assists and 15 power play assists in 2015-16.
Yandle has registered a point in 38 games in 2015-16, and he leads the
Rangers in games with a point this season. In addition, he leads
Blueshirts defensemen in points (40) in 2015-16. Yandle has notched a
point in 17 of the last 26 games (three goals, 14 assists), including 12
of the last 18 games (one goal, 11 assists).
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan
McDonagh is one of two NHL defensemen who have recorded at least 30
points and a plus-20 rating in 2015-16 (along with Drew Doughty). The
Rangers captain has registered a point in five of the last 10 games (two
goals, four assists) and has tallied 15 points (four goals, 11 assists)
in his last 25 games.
BRASS BONANZA
Derick
Brassard leads the Rangers in goals this season (25). He has recorded a
point in four of his last six games (three goals, two assists),
including a goal in three of his last five contests. Brassard has
established career-highs in goals, power play goals (eight), and power
play points (19) in 2015-16.
DAN'S THE MAN
Dan
Girardi enters the contest with 716 career games played as a Ranger. He
is three games away from tying Andy Bathgate for 10th place on the
franchise's all-time games played list.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
- The Rangers were 0-for-1 (2:00) on Mar. 17 at Los Angeles.
- The Blueshirts have recorded a PPG in five of the last seven games (5-for-18; 27.8%) and in 10 of the last 17 games (11-for-40; 27.5%).
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were 2-for-2 (4:00) on Mar. 17 at Los Angeles.
UPCOMING MILESTONES
- Kevin Klein - 3 assists away from 100 in his NHL career
- Mats Zuccarello - 5 points away from 200 in his NHL career
INJURIES (83 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
- Dylan McIlrath (knee; injury suffered on Mar. 6) - week-to-week
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
- None
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
· Mar.
18, 1989 – Tony Granato recorded his 36th and final goal of his rookie
season. Granato’s 36 goals are still the record for most goals by a
Ranger in his rookie season.
· Mar.
19, 2001 – Mark Messier tallied his 1,772nd career NHL point, passing
Marcel Dionne for sole possession of third place on the NHL’s all-time
scoring list.
Mar 18 - 11:42pm by MattCalamia
W2W4: Rangers vs. Sharks 3.19.16
Who: New York Rangers vs. San Jose Sharks
Where: SAP Center
When: Saturday at 4:00 PM
Watch: MSG-Plus beginning at 3:30 PM
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
*********************************
The Skinny:
Saturday afternoon in San Jose the Rangers (40-23-8, 88 pts) close out their grueling California road trip with a tilt against the Sharks (39-25-6, 84 pts). To say it's a swing game for the Rangers is a real understatement. With a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday followed by a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings the next night, the Rangers have earned three of a possible four points so far on the trip. A win, or even an overtime loss, on Saturday would give New York some good feelings to head back home with, not to mention either for or five of a possible six points in the standings. A loss in regulation, though, would carry frustration with it, especially with how Thursday's loss in L.A. unfolded, losing a late third-period lead on a controversial goal in which the Rangers believed Henrik Lundqvist was interfered with, and then missing out on the second point in overtime. New York enters play three points up on the Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division though the Isles--who play Saturday night--have two games in hand. When they return home from this trip the Rangers will have ten games remaining in the regular season, seven of which will be played on home ice.There is definitely a confident swagger the Blueshirts would take home with them if they win Saturday, one they could carry over the final three weeks of the season. Lundqvist will again start in goal after his 33-save outing Thursday. Since returning from injury he is winless in three starts (0-1-2). Lundqvist likely will be opposed by Martin Jones in the Sharks net. Jones leads the league with 58 appearances, is fourth with 34 wins, second with five shutouts and 11th with a 2.28 GAA this season, his first with the Sharks. The Rangers will need to play a strong defensive game against a Sharks team which is third in the NHL with 207 goals scored. Team captain Joe Pavelski leads the way with 32 goals--8th most in the league, while Brent Burns has a career-high 26. Joe Thornton is second in the NHL with 52 assists. The Sharks are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night, and are currently sitting in third place in the Pacific Division. They have won seven of their last ten games (7-3-0).
Head To Head:
The Rangers and Sharks will be playing one another for the second and final time this season on Saturday. Al the way back on October 19 Antti Raanta made his Rangers debut a memorable one, stopping all 22 shots he faced as New York shut out San Jose 4-0 at Madison Square Garden. Both Marc Staal and Jesper Fast contributed a goal and assist each, while Mats Zuccarello and Viktor Stalberg also scored for the Rangers to support Raanta's solid effort between the pipes. New York has won each of its last three games against the Sharks, outscoring San Jose in the process 11-1. In their last visit to SAP Center on January 10, 2015, the Rangers skated to a 3-1 road victory as Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves and Chris Kreider, Rick Nash, and Martin St. Louis all scored for the visitors. In their last four games against the Sharks the Rangers are 3-1-0 and have allowed only two goals, shutting San Jose out twice.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Dan Boyle: The last time the Rangers visited San Jose's SAP Center 14 months ago the Sharks organization saluted Dan Boyle with a special video montage on the scoreboard and the fans showered the Sharks all-time leader in goals, assists, and points by a defenseman with a long ovation, respectfully saluting his six seasons of service with the club which ended when he signed as a free agent with the Rangers in July of 2014. That's not the only thing Boyle will remember from that night, his first visit back to San Jose. Not only did the Rangers win, but, unfortunately, Boyle broke his nose in that game, a painful wound he wore with a somewhat prideful look after the win. Now the 39 year-old Boyle will likely be making his final visit to SAP Center on Saturday, hinting that this will be the final season of his NHL career. When he does retire Boyle's career numbers will stack up quite nicely alongside the defensemen of his era. He currently has 160 goals and 601 points in 1082 career games, including seven goals and 20 points for the Rangers this season. His seventh goal came in the second period of Thursday's game in Los Angeles, fitting in a way since has ten career goals against the Kings, the second highest total against any one club. Though he has struggled at times this season, Boyle has made it his mission to give every last bit of himself to helping the Rangers try and win a Stanley Cup this spring. If accomplished, that would be the second Cup of his career and would be a perfect ending to a career which began with the Florida Panthers all the way back in 1998-99.
Sharks-Joe Thornton: Over the course of his 18-year Hall-of-Fame worthy career Joe Thornton has been among the NHL's top offensive players on a consistent yearly basis. However after recording 65 points a year ago--his lowest non-lockout total since his third season with the Boston Bruins in 1999-2000--and losing his captaincy with the Sharks, there were serious questions about how the 36 year-old Thornton would, or could, respond this season. What Thornton has done surely has cemented his place as one of the great players--and playmakers--in the game. Thornton has 16 goals, 52 assists and 68 points in 70 games, ranking second in the league in assists and eighth in scoring. He has been remarkably consistent, as well. For example Thornton enters play Saturday having registered at least one point in nine of his last ten games and in 28 of his last 32 matches. He has not gone scoreless in consecutive games since December 9 and 12. And as Thornton goes, so go the Sharks. He has notched at least one point in each of San Jose's last 26 victories. Earlier this season the former first overall pick (by Boston in 1997) became the 33rd player in NHL history to reach 1300 career points. He currently sits on 1327 points (374-953-1327) in 1355 games, though the one thing missing from his stellar resume is a Stanley Cup championship.
Where: SAP Center
When: Saturday at 4:00 PM
Watch: MSG-Plus beginning at 3:30 PM
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
*********************************
The Skinny:
Saturday afternoon in San Jose the Rangers (40-23-8, 88 pts) close out their grueling California road trip with a tilt against the Sharks (39-25-6, 84 pts). To say it's a swing game for the Rangers is a real understatement. With a 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday followed by a 4-3 overtime defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings the next night, the Rangers have earned three of a possible four points so far on the trip. A win, or even an overtime loss, on Saturday would give New York some good feelings to head back home with, not to mention either for or five of a possible six points in the standings. A loss in regulation, though, would carry frustration with it, especially with how Thursday's loss in L.A. unfolded, losing a late third-period lead on a controversial goal in which the Rangers believed Henrik Lundqvist was interfered with, and then missing out on the second point in overtime. New York enters play three points up on the Islanders for second place in the Metropolitan Division though the Isles--who play Saturday night--have two games in hand. When they return home from this trip the Rangers will have ten games remaining in the regular season, seven of which will be played on home ice.There is definitely a confident swagger the Blueshirts would take home with them if they win Saturday, one they could carry over the final three weeks of the season. Lundqvist will again start in goal after his 33-save outing Thursday. Since returning from injury he is winless in three starts (0-1-2). Lundqvist likely will be opposed by Martin Jones in the Sharks net. Jones leads the league with 58 appearances, is fourth with 34 wins, second with five shutouts and 11th with a 2.28 GAA this season, his first with the Sharks. The Rangers will need to play a strong defensive game against a Sharks team which is third in the NHL with 207 goals scored. Team captain Joe Pavelski leads the way with 32 goals--8th most in the league, while Brent Burns has a career-high 26. Joe Thornton is second in the NHL with 52 assists. The Sharks are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night, and are currently sitting in third place in the Pacific Division. They have won seven of their last ten games (7-3-0).
Head To Head:
The Rangers and Sharks will be playing one another for the second and final time this season on Saturday. Al the way back on October 19 Antti Raanta made his Rangers debut a memorable one, stopping all 22 shots he faced as New York shut out San Jose 4-0 at Madison Square Garden. Both Marc Staal and Jesper Fast contributed a goal and assist each, while Mats Zuccarello and Viktor Stalberg also scored for the Rangers to support Raanta's solid effort between the pipes. New York has won each of its last three games against the Sharks, outscoring San Jose in the process 11-1. In their last visit to SAP Center on January 10, 2015, the Rangers skated to a 3-1 road victory as Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves and Chris Kreider, Rick Nash, and Martin St. Louis all scored for the visitors. In their last four games against the Sharks the Rangers are 3-1-0 and have allowed only two goals, shutting San Jose out twice.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Dan Boyle: The last time the Rangers visited San Jose's SAP Center 14 months ago the Sharks organization saluted Dan Boyle with a special video montage on the scoreboard and the fans showered the Sharks all-time leader in goals, assists, and points by a defenseman with a long ovation, respectfully saluting his six seasons of service with the club which ended when he signed as a free agent with the Rangers in July of 2014. That's not the only thing Boyle will remember from that night, his first visit back to San Jose. Not only did the Rangers win, but, unfortunately, Boyle broke his nose in that game, a painful wound he wore with a somewhat prideful look after the win. Now the 39 year-old Boyle will likely be making his final visit to SAP Center on Saturday, hinting that this will be the final season of his NHL career. When he does retire Boyle's career numbers will stack up quite nicely alongside the defensemen of his era. He currently has 160 goals and 601 points in 1082 career games, including seven goals and 20 points for the Rangers this season. His seventh goal came in the second period of Thursday's game in Los Angeles, fitting in a way since has ten career goals against the Kings, the second highest total against any one club. Though he has struggled at times this season, Boyle has made it his mission to give every last bit of himself to helping the Rangers try and win a Stanley Cup this spring. If accomplished, that would be the second Cup of his career and would be a perfect ending to a career which began with the Florida Panthers all the way back in 1998-99.
Sharks-Joe Thornton: Over the course of his 18-year Hall-of-Fame worthy career Joe Thornton has been among the NHL's top offensive players on a consistent yearly basis. However after recording 65 points a year ago--his lowest non-lockout total since his third season with the Boston Bruins in 1999-2000--and losing his captaincy with the Sharks, there were serious questions about how the 36 year-old Thornton would, or could, respond this season. What Thornton has done surely has cemented his place as one of the great players--and playmakers--in the game. Thornton has 16 goals, 52 assists and 68 points in 70 games, ranking second in the league in assists and eighth in scoring. He has been remarkably consistent, as well. For example Thornton enters play Saturday having registered at least one point in nine of his last ten games and in 28 of his last 32 matches. He has not gone scoreless in consecutive games since December 9 and 12. And as Thornton goes, so go the Sharks. He has notched at least one point in each of San Jose's last 26 victories. Earlier this season the former first overall pick (by Boston in 1997) became the 33rd player in NHL history to reach 1300 career points. He currently sits on 1327 points (374-953-1327) in 1355 games, though the one thing missing from his stellar resume is a Stanley Cup championship.
Mar 18 - 5:52pm by JimCerny
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