Rangers vs. Ducks 2.7.17: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 34 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the third-most the team has earned through the first 53 games of one season in franchise history. The Blueshirts have earned at least 34 wins through the first 53 games of a season five times in franchise history (1972-73, 1991-92, 1993-94, 2011-12, 2016-17), and the only seasons in which the team earned more than 34 wins through the first 53 games were 1972-73 (36) and 2011-12 (35).

• THREE'S COMPANY - The Blueshirts extended their winning streak to three games. The Rangers have posted a winning streak of three games or longer in length eight times in 2016-17.
• GOALS GALORE - New York ranks second in the NHL in goals (181) and also ranks in the NHL in goals per game (3.38) this season. The Rangers have recorded 66 goals over the last 18 games, registering at least four goals in 12 of the 18 contests.
• HOW THE WEST WAS WON - New York has posted a 17-5-0 record against teams in the Western Conference this season, including a 10-1-0 record in games against teams in the Pacific Division. The Rangers have registered 44 goals in 11 games against teams in the Pacific Division this season.
• MAKING THE DIFFERENCE - The Rangers rank fourth in the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-41; 181 goals for, 140 goals against).
• FABULOUS FEBRUARY - The Blueshirts have posted a 23-5-3 record in 31 games in February since the start of the 2014-15 season, including a 3-0-0 record in games in February this season.
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in six of the last eight games and in 32 of 53 games this season. The Blueshirts have posted a 27-4-1 record in those 32 contests in 2016-17.
• KILL ZONE - New York was 4-for-4 (8:00) on the penalty kill in the contest. The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal against in six of the last eight games (16-for-18; 88.9% over the span).
• THIRD PERIOD TALLIES - The Rangers recorded two goals in the third period in tonight's game and lead the NHL in third period goals this season (72).
• BLOCK PARTY - New York was credited with 23 blocked shots in tonight's contest and six skaters registered at least two blocked shots.
• FULL HOUSE - Tonight's game was the Rangers' 213th consecutive regular season sellout and the Blueshirts' 254th consecutive sellout (regular season and playoffs combined). The Rangers' sellout streak dates back to Nov. 3, 2011.

Three Stars on Broadway

• Henrik Lundqvist made a season-high 43 saves, including 16 in the first period, to earn his 24th win of the season and the 398th win of his NHL career. Lundqvist's 43 saves were the most he has recorded in a win at Madison Square Garden in his career. He has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his last eight appearances, posting a 6-1-0 record, along with a 1.88 GAA, a .941 SV%, and 1 SO over the span. Lundqvist has made at least 40 saves in 19 games in his NHL career; he has posted an 11-1-7 record, along with a 1.65 GAA, a .962 SV%, and 4 SO in those games.
• Michael Grabner tallied two goals, led all skaters with six shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. He leads the NHL in even strength goals this season (24), and he also leads the Rangers in goals in 2016-17 (24). Grabner has posted a multi-point game in each of the last two contests (three goals, one assist), and he has registered 14 points (11 goals, three assists) in the last 13 games.
• J.T. Miller registered two assists, was credited with four blocked shots, and posted a plus-two rating in 19:45 of ice time. Miller extended his assist streak to four games, which is a new career-high (seven assists over the span), and he has posted a multi-assist/point game in each of the last three contests (six assists). He has registered a point in 14 of the last 16 contests, tallying 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) during the stretch. Miller leads the Rangers in points (42) and games with a point this season (31), and he added to his career-high in assists (26).

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Alain Vigneault earned his 600th career win as a head coach in the NHL in tonight's contest. Vigneault is the 15th head coach in NHL history who has registered at least 600 career wins, and he is the fifth active NHL head coach who has accomplished the feat (along with Joel Quenneville, Lindy Ruff, Barry Trotz, and Darryl Sutter). Of the 15 head coaches who have earned at least 600 career wins in the NHL, Vigneault is the only one who reached the milestone while coaching the Rangers. In addition, of the 15 NHL head coaches who have recorded 600 career wins in the league, Vigneault is one of only two who served as the Rangers' Head Coach at any point in their career (along with Mike Keenan). Vigneault leads all NHL head coaches in wins since the start of the 2006-07 season (491), and he ranks fourth on the Rangers' all-time wins list among head coaches (178). Tonight's game was Vigneault's 299th career contest as the Rangers' Head Coach.
• Mats Zuccarello registered the game-winning goal and posted a plus-one rating. He tallied his 40th point of the season, and he has registered at least 40 points in four consecutive seasons (2013-14 - 2016-17). Zuccarello has registered three goals in the last six games, and he has recorded 20 points (three goals, 17 assists) in the last 20 games.
• Oscar Lindberg tallied the first goal of the game on the Rangers' first shot of the contest and won four of eight faceoffs (50.0%). He has recorded five points (two goals, three assists) in his last 13 games.
• Brady Skjei registered two assists and recorded two hits. Skjei leads Rangers defensemen in even strength assists this season (19), and he is the only Rangers defenseman other than Brian Leetch who has registered at least 19 even strength assists in his rookie season since Leetch's rookie season in 1988-89. He has tallied four assists/points in the last four games and seven points (one goal, six assists) in the last eight contests.
• Chris Kreider notched an assist and posted a plus-one rating. Kreider extended his point streak to four games, tying his career-high (three goals, one assist over the span). He has registered 17 points (12 goals, five assists) in the last 18 games. Kreider has recorded 25 points (13 goals, 12 assists) in 25 games at Madison Square Garden this season.
• Pavel Buchnevich recorded an assist and registered two shots on goal. He has tallied 13 points (six goals, seven assists) in his last 15 games. He has also registered a point in 11 of his 21 career NHL games (six goals, nine assists).
• Kevin Hayes tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating while returning to the lineup following an injury.
• Marc Staal notched an assist, was credited with four blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating in 17:03 of ice time.

- New York Rangers