Rangers at Blue Jackets 2.13.17: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 37 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the second-most the team has earned through the first 56 games of one season in franchise history. The Blueshirts have earned at least 37 wins through the first 56 games of a season four times in franchise history (1972-73, 1993-94, 2011-12, 2016-17), and the only season in which the team earned more than 37 wins through the first 56 games was 1972-73 (38). The Rangers extended their winning streak to six games, which is their longest winning streak of the season. In addition, New York has won nine of its last 11 games (9-2-0). The Rangers are tied for second in the NHL in wins this season. 

• ROAD WARRIORS - New York leads the NHL in road wins this season (19) and also leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (91). The Rangers have earned 19 wins within their first 26 road games of one season for the first time in franchise history. In addition, the Rangers' 91 road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season are the most road wins the team has earned in any four-season span in franchise history. The Rangers have won eight of their last nine road games (8-1-0). The Blueshirts have also earned a win in 18 of their last 23 road contests (18-5-0), including 12 of their last 14 road games (12-2-0). New York has won each of its last four road contests, allowing five goals over the span.
• THREE'S COMPANY - The Michael Grabner-Kevin Hayes-J.T. Miller registered three points (one goal, two assists) in tonight's contest. The trio has recorded 17 points (seven goals, 10 assists) in four games since Hayes returned to the lineup, and a member of the line has registered seven of the Rangers' 15 goals over the span.
• GOALS GALORE - The Rangers have tallied at least three goals in each of the last five games, in six of the last seven games, and in 37 of 56 games in 2016-17.
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in eight of the last 11 games and in 34 of 56 games this season. The Blueshirts have posted a 29-4-1 record in those 34 contests in 2016-17.
• FABULOUS FEBRUARY - The Blueshirts have posted a 26-5-3 record in 34 games in February since the start of the 2014-15 season, including a 6-0-0 record in games in February this season.
• SPECIAL TEAMS - New York outscored Columbus, 1-0, on special teams in tonight's contest. The Rangers have outscored their opponent on special teams in 21 games this season and have posted a 17-4-0 record in those contests. In addition, the Blueshirts have posted a 31-8-0 record in games which they either outscored or tied their opponent on special teams in 2016-17.
• KILL ZONE - New York was 4-for-4 (6:45) on the penalty kill and tallied a shorthanded goal in the contest. The Rangers are tied for the NHL lead - and lead the Eastern Conference - in shorthanded goals this season (eight).
• ONE AND WON - Nine of the Rangers' last 15 games have been decided by one goal, dating back to Jan. 7 at Columbus. The Rangers have won each of the last six games they have played which were decided by one goal, dating back to Jan. 22 at Detroit. In addition, the Blueshirts have posted a 15-7-1 record in one-goal games this season.
• DOWN, BUT NOT OUT - New York has posted a 14-11-0 record in games which the opponent has tallied the first goal in 2016-17. The Rangers' 14 wins when allowing the first goal of the game rank third in the NHL this season.
• THIRD PERIOD TALLIES - The Blueshirts registered two goals in the third period of tonight's game. The Rangers lead the NHL in third period goals in 2016-17 (79). The Rangers' 79 third period goals are the most a team has registered in any period thus far this season.

Three Stars on Broadway

• Jimmy Vesey recorded the game-winning goal, tied for the game-high with two hits, registered two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. He is tied for second among NHL rookies in game-winning goals this season (four), and he also ranks second on the Rangers in game-winning goals in 2016-17. He is the first Ranger who has registered four game-winning goals in his rookie season since Nigel Dawes in 2007-08. In addition, Vesey has tallied each of his last two goals against the Blue Jackets.
• Antti Raanta stopped 30 of 32 shots he faced, including 24 of 25 shots he faced over the final two periods, to earn his 11th win of the season. Raanta also recorded 11 wins in his first season with the Rangers in 2015-16. Raanta has posted an 11-3-0 record, along with a 2.11 GAA, a .928 SV%, and 2 SO in 16 starts this season, and he has allowed two goals or fewer in 12 of the 16 starts. In addition, he has made at least 30 saves in 19 games in his NHL career; he has posted a 16-2-1 record, along with a 1.95 GAA, a .946 SV%, and 2 SO in those 19 appearances.
• Kevin Hayes tallied two points (one goal, one assist), including a shorthanded assist, tied for the team-high with four shots on goal, and won six of 11 faceoffs (54.5%) in 18:41 of ice time. He leads the NHL in shorthanded assists (five) and shorthanded points (six) this season. He is the first Ranger who has recorded at least five shorthanded assists in one season since Mark Messier in 1996-97 (six), and he is the first Blueshirt who has recorded at least six shorthanded points in one season since Brandon Prust in 2010-11 (seven). Hayes extended his point streak to four games (two goals, five assists over the span). In addition, he is one assist, two goals, and three points away from tying his career-high in each category. The Rangers have posted a 26-2-0 record in games which Hayes has recorded a point this season, including a 13-0-0 record in games which he has tallied a goal in 2016-17.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Alain Vigneault earned his 181st career win as the Rangers' Head Coach in tonight's contest, tying Frank Boucher for third place on the franchise's all-time wins list among head coaches. The only head coaches who have earned more wins with the Rangers than Vigneault are Emile Francis and Lester Patrick. Since Vigneault became the Rangers' Head Coach prior to the start of the 2013-14 season, the Rangers are tied for the NHL lead - and lead the Eastern Conference - in wins.
• Dan Girardi registered a shorthanded goal, tied for the team-high with three blocked shots, and recorded two shots on goal in 16:22 of ice time. He is the first Rangers defenseman who has tallied a shorthanded goal since Ryan McDonagh on Mar. 7, 2014 at Carolina. Girardi ranks second among Rangers defensemen in goals this season (four), and he has tallied a point in two of his last three games (one goal, one assist).
• J.T. Miller recorded an assist and won three of six faceoffs (50.0%) in 19:23 of ice time. He recorded his first career shorthanded assist in tonight's game, and he ranks fourth in the NHL in shorthanded points this season (four; three goals, one assist). Miller extended his point streak to seven games, tying his career-high (two goals, nine assists over the span). He has also registered a point in 17 of the last 19 games, recording 24 points (nine goals, 15 assists) in those contests. Miller has established career-highs in assists (28) and points (46) this season, and he leads the Rangers in points in 2016-17. Miller has tallied a point in 29 of the Rangers' 37 wins this season, and the Blueshirts have posted a 29-5-0 record in games which he has recorded a point in 2016-17.
• Derek Stepan tallied an assist on the game-winning goal and posted a plus-one rating in 20:18 of ice time. Stepan leads the Rangers in primary assists this season (21). He has notched an assist/point in each of the last two games (two assists) and has recorded 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) in the last 23 contests.
• Nick Holden recorded an assist on the game-winning goal while skating in a team-high 23:56 of ice time. He is tied for first among Rangers defensemen in even strength points this season (22). In addition, Holden has recorded 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in the last 24 games, including 10 points (four goals, six assists) in the last 20 games.
• Jesper Fast was credited with two blocked shots while skating in his 200th career NHL game.

- New York Rangers