Pregame Notes: Rangers at Bruins 03.27.19

NEW YORK RANGERS at BOSTON BRUINS
Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2019, 7:30 p.m. ET
TD Garden - Boston, MA
TV: NBCSN, Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM

Rangers: 29-33-13 (71 pts)
Bruins: 46-21-9 (101 pts)

The Rangers play their 76th game of the 2018-19 season on Wednesday, Mar. 27, against the Boston Bruins in an Original Six matchup at TD Garden (7:30 p.m. ET - TV: NBCSN, Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). Including Wednesday's game, the Blueshirts conclude the season with seven games over an 11-day stretch.

TOMORROW STARTS TODAY

Through seven trades made leading up to the NHL's Trade Deadline in both 2018 and 2019, the Rangers acquired 22 assets in exchange for eight players who were on the team's roster. Among the assets acquired were:

• Four picks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft (including two first-round picks)
• Six picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (including one first-round pick and two second-round picks which could become first-round picks)
• Five players who were 22 years old or younger at the time they were acquired (Brett Howden, Brendan Lemieux, Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren, and Yegor Rykov)
  

The Rangers either have made, or will make, seven selections in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft over a three-year period from 2017 - 2019. Since the start of the NHL Entry Draft Era in 1979 (following the NHL-WHA merger), no NHL team has made more than seven first-round selections in a three-year span. In addition, for the first time in franchise history (since the inception of the NHL Amateur/Entry Draft in 1963), the Rangers have had multiple first-round picks in three consecutive years (two first-round selections in 2017, three first-round selections in 2018, and two first-round selections in 2019).

In 2018, the Rangers selected three players in the first round of the same NHL Amateur/Entry Draft for the first time in franchise history. The Blueshirts used their three first-round picks to select Vitali Kravtsov, K'Andre Miller, and Nils Lundkvist.

• Kravtsov - led all KHL players younger than 20 years old in goals (eight), assists (13), and points (21) during the regular season in 2018-19; Kravtsov's 21 points are tied for the ninth-most by a KHL player younger than 20 years old in the league's history (tied with Artemi Panarin)
• Miller - leads NCAA freshmen defensemen (min. 25 games played) in assists per game (0.65) and points per game (0.85) in 2018-19; named one of the finalists for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and was named an Honorable Mention for the All-Big Ten Hockey Team in 2018-19
• Lundkvist - led SHL defensemen younger than 19 years old in assists (seven) and points (10) during the regular season in 2018-19; over the last 30 seasons (since 1989-90) in the SHL, Lundkvist is one of 14 defensemen younger than 19 years old who have who have tallied 10 or more points in a single season, and his 10 points are tied for the 10th-most by a defenseman younger than 19 years old in the league over the span

The Rangers made 10 selections overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, which was the most the team made in one year since the NHL adopted a seven-round Draft format beginning in 2005. The Blueshirts currently have 10 picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (their own first-round pick, Winnipeg's first-round pick, their own second-round pick, either Dallas' second-round pick or first-round pick, either Tampa Bay's second-round pick or first-round pick, their own third-round pick, Columbus' fourth-round pick, their own fifth-round pick, their own sixth-round pick, and Columbus' seventh-round pick).

RANGERS VS. BRUINS

• All-Time: 259-290-97-2 (149-122-55-0 at home; 110-168-42-2 on the road)
• 2018-19: Wednesday's game is the third of three meetings between the Rangers and Bruins, and the second of two meetings between the two teams at Boston. The Rangers have posted a 2-0-0 record (1-0-0 at home; 1-0-0 on the road), following their 4-3 win in a shootout on Feb. 6 at MSG. Both meetings have been decided by one goal. Mika Zibanejad leads all skaters with three goals and is tied for first among all skaters with three points in the season series, while Filip Chytil (two goals) and Pavel Buchnevich (two assists) have each recorded two points in two games. The Rangers are 2-for-7 (28.6%) on the power play and 6-for-7 (85.7%) on the penalty kill in the season series.
• The Rangers have played more regular season games (648) and have earned more regular season wins (259) against the Bruins than against any other opponent in their 92-season history.
• The Blueshirts have earned a win in nine of their last 10 games against Boston, dating back to Jan. 11, 2016 (9-1-0 record over the span).
• The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in eight of their last 10 games against the Bruins and have won all eight games when allowing two or fewer goals.
• New York has won four consecutive road games against the Bruins, dating back to Nov. 5, 2016.
• Since Mar. 24, 2007, 28 of the 41 meetings between the Rangers and Bruins have been decided by one goal, and 10 of those contests have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. In addition, 34 of the 41 meetings over the span have been decided by two or fewer goals.
• The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal in eight of their last 10 games (27-for-29; 93.1%) and in 15 of their last 18 games (43-for-47; 91.5%) against the Bruins.
• The Blueshirts have registered nine power play goals in their last nine games against Boston, dating back to Mar. 23, 2016 (9-for-34; 26.5%).
• Andy Bathgate is the Rangers' all-time leader in goals (64), assists (116), and points (180) against the Bruins. Harry Howell is the Blueshirts' all-time leader in games played against Boston (224).
• Gump Worsley is the Rangers' all-time leader in wins (54) and appearances (112) by a goaltender against the Bruins.

RANGERS-BRUINS CONNECTIONS

• Glen Sather began his NHL career with the Bruins and played parts of three seasons with Boston (1966-67 - 1968-69).
• Steven Kampfer played parts of two seasons with the Rangers (2016-17 and 2017-18) and was acquired by Boston from the Rangers on Sept. 11, 2018.
• John Moore played parts of three seasons with the Rangers (2012-13 - 2014-15) and helped the Blueshirts advance to the Stanley Cup Final in 2013-14.
• Jeff Gorton spent 15 seasons in the Bruins organization and served as Boston's Interim General Manager in 2006. During Gorton's tenure as Interim General Manager, Boston selected Phil Kessel, Milan Lucic, and Brad Marchand in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, acquired Tuukka Rask in a trade, and signed Zdeno Chara and Marc Savard as free agents.
• Jim Schoenfeld played one season with the Bruins (1983-84).
• Jake DeBrusk is the son of Louie DeBrusk, who was selected by the Rangers in the third round (49th overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. Louie DeBrusk was traded by the Rangers to Edmonton as part of the transaction in which the Blueshirts acquired Mark Messier.
• David Quinn was a player (1984-85 - 1987-88), Associate Head Coach (2004-05 - 2008-09), and Head Coach (2013-14 - 2017-18) at Boston University. During his tenure as Boston University's Head Coach, Quinn helped Boston University post a 10-7 record in games played at TD Garden and helped Boston University win three championships at the venue (Hockey East Championship in both 2015 and 2018, and The Beanpot in 2015). Quinn helped Boston University win the National Championship as the team's Associate Head Coach in 2008-09. In addition, Quinn began his coaching career as an Assistant Coach at Northeastern University for two seasons (1994-95 and 1995-96).
• Greg Brown was a player (1986-87 - 1989-90) and either an Assistant Coach or Associate Head Coach (2004-05 - 2017-18) at Boston College. As a member of Boston College's coaching staff, he helped the school win the National Championship three times (2007-08, 2009-10, and 2011-12).
• Chris Drury played four seasons of collegiate hockey at Boston University (1994-95 - 1997-98). He helped Boston University win the National Championship in 1994-95 and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player in collegiate hockey in 1997-98.
• The Rangers have three Massachusetts natives on their roster: Chris Kreider (Boxford, MA), Jimmy Vesey (North Reading, MA), and Connor Brickley (Everett, MA). Kreider and Vesey both played collegiate hockey in Massachusetts (Kreider played at Boston College and Vesey played at Harvard University). Both players participated in The Beanpot, which was held at TD Garden, during their collegiate careers. Boston College won The Beanpot in all of Kreider's three seasons at the school (2009-10 - 2011-12), and Kreider also helped Boston College win the National Championship twice (2009-10 and 2011-12).
• Kevin Shattenkirk played collegiate hockey at Boston University for three seasons (2007-08 - 2009-10). Shattenkirk helped Boston University win the National Championship in 2008-09, as well as The Beanpot during that season.
• Charlie McAvoy is a native of Long Beach, New York. He grew up a Rangers fan and idolized Brian Leetch.
• David Quinn was an Assistant Coach on Joe Sacco's coaching staff with the Avalanche for one season (2012-13). In addition, Quinn and Sacco were teammates with Boston University for one season (1987-88).
• Neal Pionk and Karson Kuhlman were teammates with Team North of the Upper Midwest High School Elite Hockey League in 2012-13 and with the University of Minnesota Duluth for two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17). Pionk and Kuhlman helped the University of Minnesota Duluth with the NCHC Championship and advance to the National Championship Game in 2016-17. In addition, Pionk and Kuhlman helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior A Challenge.
• Jimmy Vesey and Matt Grzelcyk were teammates at Belmont Hill High School in Massachusetts for one season (2009-10).
• Brady Skjei and Matt Grzelcyk were teammates with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP) for two seasons (2010-11 and 2011-12). The two players helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship and a silver medal at the 2011 World U17 Hockey Challenge. Skjei and Grzelcyk also represented the United States at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, and Greg Brown was one of their Assistant Coaches in the tournament.
• David Quinn was Matt Grzelcyk's Head Coach at Boston University for three seasons (2013-14 - 2015-16), and Grzelcyk was the team's captain for the final two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16). Under Quinn's guidance, Grzelcyk was named a First Team All-American in both 2014-15 and 2015-16.
• David Quinn was Charlie McAvoy's Head Coach at Boston University for two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17). Under Quinn's guidance, McAvoy was named a First Team All-American in 2016-17, and he was also named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2015-16.
• Kevin Shattenkirk and David Backes were teammates with the Blues for parts of six seasons (2010-11 - 2015-16). In addition, Shattenkirk and Backes represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Kevin Shattenkirk and Jaroslav Halak were teammates with the Blues for parts of four seasons (2010-11 - 2013-14).
• Ryan Strome and Jaroslav Halak were teammates with the Islanders for three seasons (2014-15 - 2016-17).
• John Gilmour and Noel Acciari were teammates at Providence College for three seasons (2012-13 - 2014-15) and helped the school win the National Championship in 2014-15.
• Boo Nieves and Noel Acciari were teammates at Kent School, a prep school in Connecticut, for one season (2010-11).
• Boo Nieves and Sean Kuraly were teammates with the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for part of one season (2011-12).
• Mika Zibanejad and Joakim Nordstrom were teammates with AIK's U18 team in Sweden for part of one season (2008-09) and helped the team win a gold medal in the league.
• Jimmy Vesey and Chris Wagner both played for the South Shore Kings of the EJHL (Vesey - 2011-12; Wagner - 2008-09 and 2009-10).
• Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask have both won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's Top Goaltender (Lundqvist - 2011-12; Rask - 2013-14).
• Brady Skjei, Torey Krug, and Charlie McAvoy have all been named to the NHL's All-Rookie Team as defensemen (Skjei - 2016-17; Krug - 2013-14; McAvoy - 2017-18).
• Henrik Lundqvist and Joakim Nordstrom helped Sweden win a gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
• Mika Zibanejad, Fredrik Claesson, and Joakim Nordstrom helped Sweden win a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship. Claesson and Nordstrom also helped Sweden earn a silver medal at the 2010 IIHF U18 World Championship.
• Jimmy Vesey and Sean Kuraly helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Marc Staal and Brad Marchand helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2007 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Chris Kreider, Neal Pionk, and Charlie McAvoy helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
• Chris Kreider and Charlie Coyle helped the United States win a bronze medal at the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Jimmy Vesey, Torey Krug, and John Moore helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
• Brady Skjei and Charlie McAvoy represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
• Tony DeAngelo and Brandon Carlo represented the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Filip Chytil, David Krejci, and David Pastrnak all represented the Czech Republic at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
• Brett Howden and Charlie McAvoy were selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
• Tony DeAngelo and David Pastrnak were both selected in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
• Chris Kreider and John Moore were both selected in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
• Marc Staal and Tuukka Rask were both selected in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
• J.P. Buckley was the Video Coordinator on David Quinn's coaching staff at Boston University for one season (2013-14).
• Chris Kreider was coached by Joe Sacco (Assistant Coach) with the United States at the 2010 IIHF World Championship.
• Patrice Bergeron was coached by Lindy Ruff (Assistant Coach) on Canada's gold medal-winning team at the Winter Olympics in both 2010 and 2014.
• David Backes was coached by David Quinn (Assistant Coach) with the United States at the 2007 IIHF World Championship.
• Greg Brown, Joe Sacco, and Ted Drury (Chris Drury's brother) were all teammates with the United States at the 1992 Winter Olympics.
• David Oliver was the General Manager of the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL) when Joe Sacco was the team's Head Coach for two seasons (2007-08 and 2008-09).
• David Oliver and Bob Essensa were teammates with the Oilers (1996-97) and the Coyotes (1999-00).
• David Oliver and Don Sweeney were teammates with the Stars during the 2003-04 season.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. BRUINS

• Henrik Lundqvist - 43 GP, 28-13-2, 2.00 GAA, .934 SV%, 6 SO - Lundqvist has earned a win in seven of his last eight appearances against Boston (dating back to Jan. 11, 2016), posting 7-1-0 record, along with a 2.14 GAA and a .936 SV% (233 saves on 249 shots) over the span.
• Mika Zibanejad - 25 GP, 9-5-14 - Zibanejad has tallied three goals/points in the last two games against Boston. He has notched a point in nine of his last 12 games against the Bruins (seven goals, three assists), and he has tallied a goal in six of the 12 contests.
• Kevin Shattenkirk - 14 GP, 3-6-9 - Shattenkirk has tallied a point in four of his last five games against Boston (one goal, three assists), including an assist in three of his last four games against the Bruins. In addition, he has registered a point in five of his last eight games against the Bruins (two goals, three assists).
• Pavel Buchnevich - 6 GP, 3-3-6 - Buchnevich has registered a point in four of his six career games against the Bruins, and he tallied his first career NHL goal on Nov. 5, 2016 at Boston.
• Jimmy Vesey - 7 GP, 3-3-6 - Vesey has tallied a point in four of seven career games against the Bruins, and he has posted two multi-point games against Boston in his career.
• Brady Skjei - 8 GP, 0-5-5 - Skjei has tallied an assist/point in four of the last seven games against the Bruins (five assists).
• Filip Chytil - 2 GP, 2-0-2 - Chytil has recorded a goal in both of his career games against the Bruins.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Several Rangers players have connections with fellow members of the Blueshirts and/or members of the team's coaching staff in addition to being teammates with the Rangers:

• Pavel Buchnevich and Alexandar Georgiev were teammates while representing Russia in international competition during the 2014-15 season.
• Fredrik Claesson and Mika Zibanejad were teammates with several teams prior to joining the Rangers:
• The two were teammates in Sweden with Djurgardens' U18 team, U20 team in SuperElit, and professional team in the SHL over the course of three seasons (2009-10 - 2011-12).
• Zibanejad and Claesson helped Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Claesson and Zibanejad were both selected by the Ottawa Senators in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and were teammates in the Senators' organization (either with Ottawa or with Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Binghamton Senators) for parts of three seasons (2012-13 - 2013-14; 2015-16).
• Fredrik Claesson and Jesper Fast represented Sweden in several tournaments over the course of three seasons (2009-10 - 2011-12).
• Chris Kreider and Neal Pionk helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
• Chris Kreider and Kevin Shattenkirk represented the United States at the 2011 IIHF World Championship.
• Kevin Shattenkirk was coached by David Quinn on several teams throughout his career before Quinn became the Rangers Head Coach:
• Quinn was an Associate Head Coach at Boston University for two seasons while Shattenkirk attended the school (2007-08 and 2008-09), and Boston University won the National Championship in 2008-09.
• Quinn was Shattenkirk's first Head Coach in professional hockey, as he coached Shattenkirk for parts of two seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11) with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL).
• David Oliver served as the Avalanche's Director of Player Development for two seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11) while Kevin Shattenkirk was in the organization. Shattenkirk made his professional hockey debut in 2009-10 and his NHL debut with Colorado in 2010-11.
• Kevin Shattenkirk and Brendan Smith were both selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (Shattenkirk - 14th overall by Colorado; Smith - 27th overall by Detroit).
• Kevin Shattenkirk is a native of New Rochelle, New York. He was a Rangers fan growing up, and his favorite player was Brian Leetch.
• Kevin Shattenkirk was coached by Rangers TV/Radio Analyst Dave Maloney when he was in high school.
• Brady Skjei was coached by David Quinn at the 2016 IIHF World Championship (Quinn was an Assistant Coach with Team USA).
• Brady Skjei was coached by Greg Brown at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship (Brown was an Assistant Coach with Team USA).
• Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad were selected with back-to-back picks in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (Strome - fifth overall by the NY Islanders; Zibanejad - sixth overall by Ottawa). Vladislav Namestnikov was also selected in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
• Jimmy Vesey and Connor Brickley both attended Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts; Brickley's final season at the school was in 2008-09, and Vesey's final season at the school was in 2010-11.
• Lias Andersson's uncle, Mikael Andersson, was teammates with Lindy Ruff as members of the Buffalo Sabres (1985-86 - 1988-89).
• Lias Andersson's father, Niklas Andersson, was teammates with Henrik Lundqvist as members of Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for four seasons (2001-02 - 2004-05).
• Lias Andersson and Mika Zibanejad helped Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
• Filip Chytil and Libor Hajek represented the Czech Republic at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Brady Skjei and Vinni Lettieri were teammates at the University of Minnesota for two seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15).

YOUTH SERVED

According to NHL Stats & Information, the Rangers are currently the youngest team in the NHL (average age is 25.7 years old). Seven of the Rangers' last 12 goals have been scored by a player who is 23 years old or younger (Buchnevich (3), Lemieux (2), Pionk, and Howden). At least one Ranger who is 23 years old or younger has registered a goal in eight of the last nine games and in 10 of the last 12 games.

ON POINT

At least one Rangers defenseman has recorded a point in 22 of the team's last 24 games, including all 22 games which the team has registered a goal over the span. Rangers defensemen have tallied 46 points (seven goals, 39 assists) in the last 24 games (note - does not include points recorded by Brendan Smith, who has played forward during the stretch).

CLOSE CALL

Six of the Rangers' last 11 games, eight of their last 14 games, and 40 of their 75 games this season have been decided by one goal. The Blueshirts' 40 one-goal games are the second-most in the NHL in 2018-19. The Rangers have played at least 40 one-goal games in a season for the first time since 2008-09 (43). In addition, the 2018-19 season is the seventh in the Rangers' 92-season history that the team has played at least 40 games decided by one goal or fewer. Of the Rangers' 35 games which have not been decided by one goal this season, 10 were one-goal games prior to an empty-net goal being scored.

WORKING OVERTIME

Six of the Rangers' last 14 games and 21 of their 75 games this season have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. New York has played at least 21 games which have been decided in either overtime or a shootout in one season for the first time since 2008-09 (22).

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist has made at least 30 saves in seven of his last 11 appearances and in 26 of his 49 appearances this season. Lundqvist is tied for fifth among NHL goaltenders in games with 30 or more saves in 2018-19. When Lundqvist makes his next appearance (which will be his 50th appearance of the 2018-19 season), he will become the seventh goaltender in NHL history to appear in 50 or more games in at least 12 different seasons (along with Martin Brodeur, Ed Belfour, Roberto Luongo, Tony Esposito, Curtis Joseph, and Patrick Roy) and only the second NHL goaltender to have at least 12 seasons with 50 or more appearances within his first 14 seasons in the league (along with Esposito).

MIKA MAGIC

Mika Zibanejad leads the Rangers in goals (28), assists (40), and points (68) this season, and he has established career-highs in all three categories. He has established career-highs in numerous categories in 2018-19, including total ice time (1,539:38), takeaways (64), faceoffs won (770), and faceoffs taken (1,541), and he is averaging a career-high in time on ice per game (20:32). Zibanejad is one of three centers in franchise history who have registered 68 or more points in a season when 25 years old or younger (along with Walt Tkaczuk and Mark Pavelich).

DOING IT ALL

Zibanejad is one of six NHL players who have registered 28 or more goals and have won 750 or more faceoffs this season (along with Aleksander Barkov, Sidney Crosby, Dylan Larkin, John Tavares, and Jonathan Toews). He is also one of 10 NHL players who have recorded at least 28 goals and 60 or more takeaways in 2018-19 (along with Barkov, Larkin, Toews, Sebastian Aho, Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Sean Monahan, Mark Scheifele, and Mark Stone).

PLAYING THE GAME

Zibanejad is the only Ranger who has played in every game thus far this season, and he leads the Rangers in total ice time in 2018-19 (1,539:38). Since the NHL began to track ice time in 1997-98, no Rangers forward has led the team in total ice time in one season. Zibanejad is the first Rangers forward who has logged at least 1,539 minutes of ice time in one season since 2011-12 (Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, and Derek Stepan).

HOT AT THE DOT

Zibanejad's 770 faceoff wins in 2018-19 are the fifth-most a Ranger has registered in one season since the NHL began tracking faceoffs in 1997-98 and the most by a Ranger in one season since 2005-06. In addition, Zibanejad's 1,541 faceoffs taken this season are the fourth-most a Ranger has registered in one season since 1997-98 and the most by a Ranger in one season since 2005-06.

BUCH BOOST

Pavel Buchnevich enters the contest with a four-game point streak (two goals, two assists), which is tied for his career-high. He leads the Rangers (min. 10 games played) in goals per 60 minutes of ice time this season (1.25). Buchnevich has established career-highs in goals (18), even strength goals (11), and power play goals (seven) this season, and he also ranks third on the Rangers in goals in 2018-19.

DE-FENSE

Tony DeAngelo has recorded an assist/point in 13 of his last 19 games (14 assists) and in 15 of his last 23 games (16 assists). DeAngelo's 14 assists since Feb. 12 are the second-most among NHL defensemen. He ranks 11th among NHL defensemen 23 years old or younger in points this season (28).

SHATT STATS

Kevin Shattenkirk has notched an assist/point in three of the last four games and in five of the last eight games. He has also tallied 13 assists/points in his last 19 games. Shattenkirk's 13 assists since Feb. 12 are tied for the third-most among NHL defensemen.

STROME SURGE

Ryan Strome has recorded a goal in two of the last three games, and he tallied the game-winning goal in overtime on Mar. 23 at Toronto. Strome has registered 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) in 56 games with the Rangers this season, and he has notched 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in the last 21 games. Since he was acquired by the Rangers on Nov. 16, Strome ranks third on the team in goals and ranks fifth on the team in points. In addition, he is one of only two Rangers who have played in all of the team's 56 games since he was acquired on Nov. 16 (along with Mika Zibanejad). Strome's 14 goals with the Rangers are tied for the most by an NHL player who was acquired by a team after the start of the season in 2018-19 (tied with his brother Dylan Strome, who has registered 14 goals since he was acquired by Chicago).

CHYTIL-MANIA

Filip Chytil has skated in 71 games this season and in 80 games in his NHL career. Chytil's 71 games played this season are tied for the third-most by a teenager in one season in franchise history (trailing only Michael Del Zotto and Manny Malhotra, and tied with Mike Allison). In addition, Chytil's 80 career games played are tied for the second-most by a teenager in franchise history (trailing only Malhotra and tied with Del Zotto).

Chytil is one of five NHL teenagers who have skated in at least 70 games this season (along with Miro Heiskanen, Rasmus Dahlin, Andrei Svechnikov, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi; of the five players, Chytil is the only one who was not selected third overall or higher in the NHL Entry Draft in either 2017 or 2018). In addition, Chytil, who was selected by the Rangers with the 21st overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, ranks third among players selected in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft in career NHL games played; the only two players with more games are the players who were selected first and second overall, Nico Hischier and Nolan Patrick.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 1-for-3 (5:17) on Mar. 25 vs. Pittsburgh.

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 2-for-3 (4:34) on Mar. 25 vs. Pittsburgh.
• The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in seven of the last 12 games (32-for-37; 86.5%), in 14 of the last 25 games (57-for-68; 83.8%), and in 19 of the last 32 games (81-for-96; 84.4%).
• New York has posted the seventh-best penalty kill efficiency percentage in the NHL since Mar. 1 (86.5%; over a 12-game span).

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Pavel Buchnevich - 4 points away from 100 in his NHL career/as a Ranger
• Neal Pionk - 6 games away from 100 in his NHL career/as a Ranger

INJURIES (170 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

• Libor Hajek (separated shoulder) - has missed seven games
• Jesper Fast (upper-body; out for season) - has missed three games
• Chris Kreider - has missed two games
• Marc Staal (lower-body) - has missed one game

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

None

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

• Mar. 26, 1929 - In Game 2 of the Semifinals against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Frank Boucher registered the game-winning goal at 2:05 of overtime to help the Rangers win the game, 2-1, and the series, two-games-to-none, to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
• Mar. 27, 1928 - The Rangers earned their first playoff win in franchise history, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-0, in Game 1 of the Quarterfinals at MSG.
• Mar. 27, 1990 - The Rangers won the Patrick Division title for the 1989-90 season by defeating the Quebec Nordiques, 7-4, in Quebec. The Blueshirts rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the third period and recorded five goals in a span of 9:49.
• Mar. 27, 2006 - The Rangers rallied from a 4-2 deficit at the start of the third period to defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 5-4, in a shootout. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all eight shots he faced in relief to earn the win, and Jaromir Jagr registered his 52nd goal of the 2005-06 season in the third period, tying Adam Graves' single-season franchise record for goals.

REMEMBERING 1993-94

The 1993-94 season was the only season in which the Rangers had two defensemen who recorded at least 75 points in franchise history (Sergei Zubov and Brian Leetch). Entering the 2018-19 season, the 1993-94 Rangers were the last NHL team that had two defensemen who recorded 75 or more points in the same season.

RANGERS VS. BRUINS - 1993-94

The Rangers posted a 1-2-1 record in four games against the Bruins during the 1993-94 season. Mark Messier (two goals, three assists) and Brian Leetch (five assists) tied for the team lead with five points in the season series, and Messier, Adam Graves, and Alexei Kovalev tied for the team lead with two goals in four games. One of Kovalev's two goals against Boston was scored during an extended, seven-minute shift he had on February 23, 1994 at MSG. Glenn Healy stopped all 28 shots he faced to earn a win and a shutout as the Rangers defeated the Bruins, 3-0, on February 3, 1994 at Boston; Healy played the game with a brand new helmet, which needed to be covered in blue tape in order to match the team's blue jersey on the road.

-- New York Rangers