Rangers vs. Kings 3.17.16: Pregame Notes
NEW YORK RANGERS at LOS ANGELES KINGS
Thursday, Mar. 17, 2016, 10:30 p.m. ET
STAPLES Center – Los Angeles, CA
Rangers: 40-23-7 (87 pts)
Kings: 42-22-5 (89 pts)
TONIGHT'S GAME
The
Rangers play their 71st game of the 2015-16 season and conclude a
back-to-back set tonight, Mar. 17, against the Los Angeles Kings at
STAPLES Center (10:30 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM).
New York has won six of its last 10 games (6-3-1), eight of its last 13
games (8-4-1), 13 of its last 20 games (13-5-2), and 16 of its last 25
games (16-7-2). The Rangers have earned at least one point in 24 of
their last 35 games (21-11-3), including 23 of their last 33 games
(20-10-3) and 22 of their last 31 games (19-9-3). The Blueshirts enter
the contest with a 40-23-7 record this season (87 points).
RANGERS VS. KINGS
- All-Time: 67-45-16-2 (37-20-6-1 at home; 30-25-10-1 on the road)
- 2015-16: Tonight’s game is the second of two meetings between the Rangers and Kings, and the only meeting between the two teams in Los Angeles. The Rangers have posted a 0-0-1 record (0-0-1 at home; 0-0-0 on the road) against Los Angeles. The Blueshirts were defeated by the Kings, 5-4, in overtime in the only meeting between the two teams on Feb. 12 at Madison Square Garden. Seven different Rangers recorded at least one point in the contest, and Kevin Hayes, Derek Stepan, and Mats Zuccarello each tallied one goal and one assist.
- The Rangers have earned at least one point in seven of their last 10 games against the Kings, dating back to Dec. 17, 2008 (5-3-2).
- New York has earned at least one point in each of its last three road games against Los Angeles (2-0-1). In addition, the Blueshirts have registered at least one point in seven of their last nine road games against the Kings, dating back to Dec. 14, 2000 (5-2-1-1).
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.
- Eric Staal and Kris Versteeg were teammates with the Hurricanes this season. Staal and Versteeg were both acquired by their current teams in trades made on Feb. 28, 2016.
- Eric Staal and Jamie McBain were teammates with the Hurricanes for parts of four seasons (2009-10 - 2012-13).
- 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.
- Rick Nash – 37 GP, 15-17-32 – Nash has registered three assists/points in his last three contests against the Kings, as well as 11 points (five goals, six assists) in his last 11 games against Los Angeles.
- Keith Yandle - 43 GP, 5-20-25 - Yandle has notched a point in eight of his last 12 games against Los Angeles, recording 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) over the span.
- Kevin Hayes – 3 GP, 2-2-4 – Hayes has tallied a point in each of his three career games against the Kings, including a goal in each of his last two contests against Los Angeles.
BACK-TO-BACK
The
Rangers have posted an 8-5-1 record in the second game of back-to-back
sets this season. The Blueshirts have posted an 18-6-2 record in the
second contest of their last 26 back-to-back sets. In addition, the
Rangers have posted a 27-12-2 record in the second game of back-to-back
sets since the start of the 2013-14 season and a 52-23-4 record in the
second game of back-to-back sets since the start of the 2010-11 season.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
The
Blueshirts continue a three-game stretch in California with tonight's
contest (the Rangers will also play San Jose on Mar. 19). 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 8-2-2 record against Pacific Division opponents
this season. Since the start of last season, the Blueshirts have posted a
19-4-3 record against teams in the Pacific Division, including a 9-2-1
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
Blueshirts have earned at least one point in each of their last
four road games (3-0-1) and have won eight of their last 11 road games
(8-2-1), including five of their last seven road contests (5-1-1).
HIGH FIVE
The
Blueshirts rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in
2015-16 (plus-35; 139 goals for, 104 goals against - Washington leads
the NHL; plus-37).
TWO GOOD
The
Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of the last 20 games,
in 20 of the last 35 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 19 of
their last 22 games (29 third period goals over the span). New York
ranks third in the NHL in third period goals this season (80).
ON POINT
At
least one Rangers defenseman has registered a point on 22 of the team's
last 29 goals. Blueshirts defensemen have recorded 141 points (34
goals, 107 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 84 points (22 goals, 62
assists) in the last 41 games.
KING HENRIK
Since
the start of the 2014-15 season, Henrik Lundqvist has posted a 10-3-0
record, along with a 1.64 GAA, a .940 SV%, and 2 SO in 13 appearances
against Pacific Division opponents. Entering tonight's contest,
Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 17 of his last 27
appearances, including 15 of his last 23 appearances and 14 of his last
21 appearances. He has posted a 14-7-2 record, along with a 2.14 GAA, a
.926 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 23 appearances, including a 13-7-1
record, along with a 2.06 GAA, a .930 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 21
appearances. Lundqvist leads the NHL in even strength SV% this season
(.939).
FINE KLEIN
Kevin Klein
registered two goals, including the game-winning goal, last night at
Anaheim. Klein became the first Rangers defenseman to tally two goals in
one game this season. He is tied for second among NHL defensemen in
game-winning goals since the start of last season (eight).
WELCOME MATS
Mats
Zuccarello is the first Ranger to register at least 30 assists in three
consecutive seasons since Jaromir Jagr (2005-06 - 2007-08). He has
notched 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in the last 20 games,
including five points (one goal, four assists) in the last four 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 six games (two goals,
five assists), as well as seven of the last nine games (three goals, six
assists). He has tallied 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in the
last 17 games, as well as 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in the
last 27 contests. The Rangers have posted a 37-18-5 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 five 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. In addition, he leads
Blueshirts defensemen in points (40) in 2015-16. Yandle has notched a
point in 17 of the last 25 games (three goals, 14 assists), including 12
of the last 17 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 nine games
(two goals, four assists) and has tallied 15 points (four goals, 11
assists) in his last 24 games.
BRASS BONANZA
Derick
Brassard leads the Rangers in goals this season (25). He has recorded a
point in four of his last five games (three goals, two assists),
including a goal in three of his last four contests. Brassard has
established career-highs in goals, power play goals (eight), and power
play points (19) in 2015-16.
ON THE MARC
Marc
Staal enters the contest with 605 career games played with the Rangers.
He is one game away from passing Dave Maloney for sole possession of
20th place on the franchise's all-time games played list.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
- The Rangers were 0-for-3 (6:00) last night at Anaheim.
- The Blueshirts have recorded a PPG in five of the last six games (5-for-17; 29.4%) and in 10 of the last 16 games (11-for-39; 28.2%).
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were not shorthanded last night at Anaheim.
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 (82 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.
17, 1993 – Prior to their game against the Edmonton Oilers at MSG, the
Rangers acquired Esa Tikkanen from Edmonton in exchange for Doug Weight.
Mar 17 - 10:37am by MattCalamia
W2W4: Rangers vs. Kings 3.17.16
Who: New York Rangers vs. Los Angeles Kings
Where: Staples Center
When: Thursday night at 10:00 PM
Watch: MSG Network beginning at 9:30 PM
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
******************************************************
The Skinny:
After kicking off their grueling three-game California road trip with a hard-fought, come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, the Rangers (40-23-7, 87 pts) are right back at it 24 hours later facing the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings (42-22-5, 89 pts) at the Staples Center. Wednesday's victory extended New York's road points streak to four straight (3-0-1) and gave the Rangers eight wins in their last 11 road contests (8-2-1). The Rangers are now 17-15-4 away from Madison Square Garden after spending much of the season under the .500 mark on the road, a major comedown from a year ago when New York established a franchise record by winning 28 times on the road. One thing that hasn't changed from a year ago, however, is the Rangers success against the tough Pacific Division. With the win Wednesday over Anaheim--one which pushed the Rangers lead for second place in the Metropolitan Division over the Islanders to two points--New York is now 8-2-2 against Pacific Division teams this season after posting an 11-2-1 mark a year ago. Following the win over the Ducks head coach Alain Vigneault stated that it was one of the Rangers most complete games of the season and perhaps it's best defensive effort. The Rangers stood toe-to-toe with the rugged Ducks, won their fair share of puck battles, protected their own goal with grit and resolve, and most importantly battled for every inch of contested ice all night long. Kevin Klein scored both New York goals, the fourth line had a major impact on how the Rangers played as well as the outcome of the game, the reunion of Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello was solid even if without a goal, and the coach rolled all four lines and three defense pairings with confidence. Ryan McDonagh was shaken up at the final buzzer when struck in the side of his helmet near his ear, but Vigneault said the team captain was fine, and McDonagh is expected to be in the rangers lineup Thursday. After watching Antti Raanta step in and backstop Wednesday's victory, Henrik Lundqvist gets the call against the Kings. Interestingly it will be the first time that Lundqvist has faced the Kings since Game Five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final when L.A. won the Cup on Alec Martinez' double-overtime goal. He has not played in the three regular season games against the Kings since that fateful night in June of 2014. Lundqvist likely will be opposed by Jonathan Quick, who is second in the NHL with 35 wins and third with a 2.14 GAA. In his last start, Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks, Quick stopped all 32 shots in an impressive 5-0 victory. The Kings followed that up by beating the Dallas Stars 24 hours later 5-2; and L.A. is now 9-2-1 in its last 12 games, looking to clinch a playoff spot just two years after their Cup win and one after failing to qualify for the 2014-15 post-season. Former Ranger Marian Gaborik remains out of the Kings lineup with an injury, but the Kings lineup remains star-studded with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jeff Carter, 26-goal scorer Tyler Toffoli, and new veteran contributors like Vincent Lecavalier and Christian Erhoff who have both resurrected their flagging careers since arriving in L.A.
Head To Head:
Thursday’s game is the second and final meeting between the Rangers and Kings this season. Back on February 12 at Madison Square Garden the Rangers suffered a frustratingly painful defeat, falling to the Kings 5-4 in overtime after coming within seconds of winning themselves in regulation. The Rangers grabbed a 4-3 lead on a Kevin Hayes goal with 4:46 to play in the third period, but L.A.’s Anze Kopitar tied the game with 29.7 seconds remaining in regulation and Tanner Pearson netted the game-winner at 3:10 of overtime. Hayes, Mats Zuccarello, and Derek Stepan each scored a goal and added an assist for New York, which also received a goal from Viktor Stalberg. Antti Raanta made 29 saves in the loss, while Peter Budaj started in goal and stopped 24 of 28 shots for the Kings. The Rangers most recent visit to Los Angeles was back on January 8, 2015 and resulted in a 4-3 victory. After spotting the Kings a quick 2-0 lead the Rangers scored four straight goals before L.A. tagged on a late one. New York has earned at least one point in each of its last three regular season visits to the Staples Center (2-0-1) and in seven of its last nine road contests against the Kings dating back to December 14, 2000 (5-2-1-1).
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Tanner Glass: He may not score a lot, but Tanner Glass consistently has found ways to help the Rangers win games during this season, his second as a member of the Rangers. The 2015-16 campaign began with an early trip to the minor leagues for Glass, but since being recalled from Hartford on December 2 he has been a lineup regular on the Blueshirts fourth line. Glass leads the Rangers with 182 hits so far this season, and his physical presence played a key role in New York’s 2-1 win in Anaheim Wednesday evening. Glass was credited with a game-high ten hits—the second time this season he has reached that number—and did so against pone of the most physical teams in the league. He and linemates Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg played with terrific energy and head coach Alain Vigneault used his fourth line consistently throughout the game, with Glass finishing the night at 12:42 of ice time. Glass also earned the primary assist on the game-tying goal and now has three points (2-1-3) in his last nine games—half of his point total so far this season (3-3-6). Five of his six points have been recorded in road games. The Rangers will need Glass’ physical play to be in peak form again on Thursday against a Kings team that plays a similar heavy style as the Ducks do. With all 13 Rangers forwards healthy Glass is more than aware that he needs to continue to contribute in all ways, but especially in the grinding, physical way he plays, in order to keep his regular spot on the fourth line. Thursday’s second physical contest in a back to back situation will be a major test for the nine-year veteran.
Kings-Tyler Toffoli: One of the reasons why the Los Angeles Kings have won a pair of recent Stanley Cups and have been a consistent Cup favorite for the past several years is that they have been able to bring along young prospects and integrate them right into a veteran top-tier team on a regular basis. 23 year-old Tyler Toffoli, a 2010 second round pick, is such an example. Two years ago, at the age of 21, Toffoli played his first full season in the National Hockey League, scored 12 goals and totaled 29 points, and helped the Kings beat the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup championship. Last season he topped the 20-goal plateau, finishing with 23 and 49 points in an impressive sophomore campaign. Now this season Toffoli leads the Kings with a career-high 26 goals and he is tied for second on the team with 48 points. Ten of his goals have been scored on special teams, with a team-high-tying nine being scored on the power play and one shorthanded. Toffoli had a great start to the season, scoring nine goals during the ten-game month of October; and though he has slowed down the past month or so, Toffoli has established himself as a very important part of the Kings offense. He has scored in back-to-back games after a ten-game goal drought which was also part of a stretch of 16 games in which he scored just once. Earlier this season he assisted on Tanner Pearson’s game-winning overtime goal against the Rangers and will once again need to be paid attention to by New York on Thursday night.
Where: Staples Center
When: Thursday night at 10:00 PM
Watch: MSG Network beginning at 9:30 PM
Listen: ESPN-98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
******************************************************
The Skinny:
After kicking off their grueling three-game California road trip with a hard-fought, come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday, the Rangers (40-23-7, 87 pts) are right back at it 24 hours later facing the Pacific Division-leading Los Angeles Kings (42-22-5, 89 pts) at the Staples Center. Wednesday's victory extended New York's road points streak to four straight (3-0-1) and gave the Rangers eight wins in their last 11 road contests (8-2-1). The Rangers are now 17-15-4 away from Madison Square Garden after spending much of the season under the .500 mark on the road, a major comedown from a year ago when New York established a franchise record by winning 28 times on the road. One thing that hasn't changed from a year ago, however, is the Rangers success against the tough Pacific Division. With the win Wednesday over Anaheim--one which pushed the Rangers lead for second place in the Metropolitan Division over the Islanders to two points--New York is now 8-2-2 against Pacific Division teams this season after posting an 11-2-1 mark a year ago. Following the win over the Ducks head coach Alain Vigneault stated that it was one of the Rangers most complete games of the season and perhaps it's best defensive effort. The Rangers stood toe-to-toe with the rugged Ducks, won their fair share of puck battles, protected their own goal with grit and resolve, and most importantly battled for every inch of contested ice all night long. Kevin Klein scored both New York goals, the fourth line had a major impact on how the Rangers played as well as the outcome of the game, the reunion of Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello was solid even if without a goal, and the coach rolled all four lines and three defense pairings with confidence. Ryan McDonagh was shaken up at the final buzzer when struck in the side of his helmet near his ear, but Vigneault said the team captain was fine, and McDonagh is expected to be in the rangers lineup Thursday. After watching Antti Raanta step in and backstop Wednesday's victory, Henrik Lundqvist gets the call against the Kings. Interestingly it will be the first time that Lundqvist has faced the Kings since Game Five of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final when L.A. won the Cup on Alec Martinez' double-overtime goal. He has not played in the three regular season games against the Kings since that fateful night in June of 2014. Lundqvist likely will be opposed by Jonathan Quick, who is second in the NHL with 35 wins and third with a 2.14 GAA. In his last start, Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks, Quick stopped all 32 shots in an impressive 5-0 victory. The Kings followed that up by beating the Dallas Stars 24 hours later 5-2; and L.A. is now 9-2-1 in its last 12 games, looking to clinch a playoff spot just two years after their Cup win and one after failing to qualify for the 2014-15 post-season. Former Ranger Marian Gaborik remains out of the Kings lineup with an injury, but the Kings lineup remains star-studded with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Drew Doughty, Jeff Carter, 26-goal scorer Tyler Toffoli, and new veteran contributors like Vincent Lecavalier and Christian Erhoff who have both resurrected their flagging careers since arriving in L.A.
Head To Head:
Thursday’s game is the second and final meeting between the Rangers and Kings this season. Back on February 12 at Madison Square Garden the Rangers suffered a frustratingly painful defeat, falling to the Kings 5-4 in overtime after coming within seconds of winning themselves in regulation. The Rangers grabbed a 4-3 lead on a Kevin Hayes goal with 4:46 to play in the third period, but L.A.’s Anze Kopitar tied the game with 29.7 seconds remaining in regulation and Tanner Pearson netted the game-winner at 3:10 of overtime. Hayes, Mats Zuccarello, and Derek Stepan each scored a goal and added an assist for New York, which also received a goal from Viktor Stalberg. Antti Raanta made 29 saves in the loss, while Peter Budaj started in goal and stopped 24 of 28 shots for the Kings. The Rangers most recent visit to Los Angeles was back on January 8, 2015 and resulted in a 4-3 victory. After spotting the Kings a quick 2-0 lead the Rangers scored four straight goals before L.A. tagged on a late one. New York has earned at least one point in each of its last three regular season visits to the Staples Center (2-0-1) and in seven of its last nine road contests against the Kings dating back to December 14, 2000 (5-2-1-1).
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Tanner Glass: He may not score a lot, but Tanner Glass consistently has found ways to help the Rangers win games during this season, his second as a member of the Rangers. The 2015-16 campaign began with an early trip to the minor leagues for Glass, but since being recalled from Hartford on December 2 he has been a lineup regular on the Blueshirts fourth line. Glass leads the Rangers with 182 hits so far this season, and his physical presence played a key role in New York’s 2-1 win in Anaheim Wednesday evening. Glass was credited with a game-high ten hits—the second time this season he has reached that number—and did so against pone of the most physical teams in the league. He and linemates Dominic Moore and Viktor Stalberg played with terrific energy and head coach Alain Vigneault used his fourth line consistently throughout the game, with Glass finishing the night at 12:42 of ice time. Glass also earned the primary assist on the game-tying goal and now has three points (2-1-3) in his last nine games—half of his point total so far this season (3-3-6). Five of his six points have been recorded in road games. The Rangers will need Glass’ physical play to be in peak form again on Thursday against a Kings team that plays a similar heavy style as the Ducks do. With all 13 Rangers forwards healthy Glass is more than aware that he needs to continue to contribute in all ways, but especially in the grinding, physical way he plays, in order to keep his regular spot on the fourth line. Thursday’s second physical contest in a back to back situation will be a major test for the nine-year veteran.
Kings-Tyler Toffoli: One of the reasons why the Los Angeles Kings have won a pair of recent Stanley Cups and have been a consistent Cup favorite for the past several years is that they have been able to bring along young prospects and integrate them right into a veteran top-tier team on a regular basis. 23 year-old Tyler Toffoli, a 2010 second round pick, is such an example. Two years ago, at the age of 21, Toffoli played his first full season in the National Hockey League, scored 12 goals and totaled 29 points, and helped the Kings beat the Rangers to win the Stanley Cup championship. Last season he topped the 20-goal plateau, finishing with 23 and 49 points in an impressive sophomore campaign. Now this season Toffoli leads the Kings with a career-high 26 goals and he is tied for second on the team with 48 points. Ten of his goals have been scored on special teams, with a team-high-tying nine being scored on the power play and one shorthanded. Toffoli had a great start to the season, scoring nine goals during the ten-game month of October; and though he has slowed down the past month or so, Toffoli has established himself as a very important part of the Kings offense. He has scored in back-to-back games after a ten-game goal drought which was also part of a stretch of 16 games in which he scored just once. Earlier this season he assisted on Tanner Pearson’s game-winning overtime goal against the Rangers and will once again need to be paid attention to by New York on Thursday night.
Mar 17 - 10:33am by JimCerny
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