NYR TODAY Saturday 1/7: Game Day Preview, Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (27-13-1) COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (27-6-4)
Nationwide Arena, Columbus 7:00 PM TV: MSG2, RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

The Rangers return to Columbus for the second time this season looking to avenge a 4-2 loss in their last visit on November 18.

The Rangers won 11 of their last 16 games and four of their last five, including a 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday. They own a league-leading 14 wins on the road this season (13-4-0).

Derek Stepan is the team leader vs Columbus with a point in eight of his last nine games against Columbus dating back to March 21, 2014, and 15 points in 14 games for his career.

New York will be without Rick Nash (groin) and Mika Zibaenjad (broken fibula). Defenseman Marc Staal is day-to-day with an upper body injury.

The matchup is the final game before the Rangers start their in-season bye week.

NYR GAME DAY STATS:

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: CHRIS KREIDER, MICHAEL GRABNER 16
ASSISTS: RYAN McDONAGH 23
POINTS: DEREK STEPAN 31
+/-: NICK HOLDEN, MICHAEL GRABNER +18
GWG: DAN GIRARDI, BRANDON PIRRI, JIMMY VESEY, KEVIN HAYES, J.T. MILLER 3
PPG: RICK NASH, JIMMY VESEY, BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER 4
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 9
SHG: J.T. MILLER 2
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 17

GOALIE STATS:
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  17-9-1 GAA: 2.49 SV%: .913 SO: 1
ANTTI RAANTA 10-4-0 GAA: 2.28 SV%: .921 SO: 2

NYR TEAM STATS
27-13-1
2nd Overall NHL
2nd Metropolitan Division
WINS: 27 (Rank TIE #1)
POINTS: 55 (Rank #2)
WIN%: 0.671 (Rank #6)
GOALS FOR: 139 (Rank #1)
GOALS AGAINST: 102 (Rank #13)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 28 (Rank #6)
POWER PLAY RANK: 22.76 (Rank #4)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 19 (Rank #7)
PENALTY KILL: 83.48 (Rank #10)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 5 (Rank #2)
SHUTOUTS: 4 (Rank #4)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 8
SHOOTOUTS: 2/3

NYR Alumni Birthdays January 7:

Alex Auld G (2009-2010) Donald Brashear LW (2009-2010) Bill Fairbairn RW (1969-1976) Guy Herbert G (2000-2001) Babe Pratt D (1936-1942) Johan Witehall LW (1999-2001)

Today in NYR History January 7:

1976: The New York Rangers fire coach Ron Stewart and general manager Emile Francis, giving both jobs to longtime Canadiens forward John Ferguson. He is the 15th coach in Rangers history and the first who has no previous connection with them.

2006: Henrik Lundqvist makes 38 saves for his second career shutout in a 4-0 win over Florida.

2011: Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh makes his NHL debut against the Dallas Stars.