NYR TODAY Wednesday 1/4: Game day Preview, Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (26-13-1) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (20-14-5)
Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia 8:00 PM TV: NBCSN, RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

The Rangers face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight in the second of four meetings, New York won the first meeting 3-2 in Philadelphia back in November.

Coming off a lackluster performance against the Sabres on Tuesday the Rangers look to rebound and get back on the winning side tonight. Henrik Lundqvist turned in a 15 save performance last night but allowed 4 goals on 19 shots. Look for Antti Raanta to get the nod in net for the Rangers tonight in the second of back to back games.

The Rangers will be without forwards Matt Puempel (concussion) and Rick Nash (Groin).

NYR GAME DAY STATS:

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: CHRIS KREIDER 15
ASSISTS: RYAN McDONAGH 23
POINTS: DEREK STEPAN 30
+/-: NICK HOLDEN +16
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
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 16

GOALIE STATS:
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  16-9-1 GAA: 2.51 SV%: .912 SO: 1
ANTTI RAANTA 10-4-0 GAA: 2.28 SV%: .921 SO: 2

NYR TEAM STATS
26-13-1
3rd Overall NHL
3rd Metropolitan Division
WINS: 26 (Rank TIE #1)
POINTS: 53 (Rank #3)
WIN%: 0.663 (Rank #5)
GOALS FOR: 134 (Rank #1)
GOALS AGAINST: 100 (Rank #14)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 28 (Rank #6)
POWER PLAY RANK: 22.95 (Rank #4)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 18 (Rank #5)
PENALTY KILL: 83.93 (Rank #9)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 5 (Rank #2)
SHUTOUTS: 4 (Rank #3)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 7
SHOOTOUTS: 2/3

NYR Alumni Birthdays January 4:

Greg DeVries D (2003-2004) Trevor Fahey LW (1964-1965) Jim Latos RW (1988-1989) Bob McDonald RW (1943-1944)

Today in NYR History January 4:

1992: Mike Gartner has a goal and an assist for the New York Rangers to become the 33rd player in NHL history to reach 1,000 career points. The milestone comes during a 6-4 road loss against the New Jersey Devils.

1997: Wayne Gretzky ties a franchise record for assists in one period, tallying four in the second period of a 6-4 Rangers win over the Ottawa Senators at MSG.

1999: The Rangers extend their point streak against the San Jose Sharks to 15 games (13-0-2) with a 4-3 win at Madison Square Garden. Adam Graves and Todd Harvey each pick up a goal and an assist.

2007: Martin Straka picks up his first hat trick as a Ranger, scoring all three goals in a 3-2 win over the Flyers at MSG.