Rangers vs. Flames 2.5.17: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 33 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the fourth-most the team has earned through the first 52 games of one season in franchise history. The Blueshirts have earned at least 33 wins through the first 52 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 33 wins through the first 52 games were 1972-73 (35), 1993-94 (34), and 2011-12 (34).

• GOALS GALORE - New York ranks second in the NHL in goals (177- includes two team goals awarded for shootout wins) and also ranks second in the NHL in goals per game (3.37) this season. The Rangers have recorded 62 goals over the last 17 games, registering at least four goals in 11 of the 17 contests.
• HOW THE WEST WAS WON - New York has posted a 16-5-0 record against teams in the Western Conference this season, including a 9-1-0 record in games against teams in the Pacific Division.
• SUPER SUNDAY - The Rangers have won all three games they have played on Super Bowl Sunday over the last 10 seasons (Feb. 3, 2008 - Rangers defeated Montreal, 5-3, at Montreal; Feb. 5, 2012 - Rangers defeated Philadelphia, 5-2, at MSG; today).
• WINNING ON THE WEEKEND - The Blueshirts have posted a 15-3-1 record in weekend games this season, including an 8-1-1 record in games played on a Sunday. The Rangers have posted a 4-0-0 record in afternoon games in 2016-17.
• MAKING THE DIFFERENCE - New York ranks fourth in the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-38; 177 goals for, 139 goals against).
• FABULOUS FEBRUARY - The Blueshirts have posted a 22-5-3 record in 30 games in February since the start of the 2014-15 season.
• POWER SURGE - New York was 1-for-1 (1:12) on the power play in the contest. New York has recorded a power play goal in eight of the last 16 contests (12-for-50; 24.0%). The Blueshirts have registered a power play goal in 23 games this season and have posted a 17-6-0 record in those contests.
• FLAMING HOT - The Rangers have earned at least one point in each of their last six games against Calgary, dating back to Dec. 16, 2014 (5-0-1). New York has earned at least one point in nine of its last 10 contests against Calgary, dating back to Nov. 22, 2010 (8-1-1).

Three Stars on Broadway

• J.T. Miller recorded two assists, including an assist on the game-winning goal, and recorded four shots on goal. Miller leads the Rangers in points (40) and games with a point this season (30), and he has established a career-high in assists (24). In addition, he has registered a point in 13 of the last 15 games, recording 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) over the span. He has recorded a point on the game-winning goal in each of the Rangers' last five wins.
• Rick Nash registered a power play goal and tied for the game-high with five shots on goal. He has tallied six points (two goals, four assists) in the last nine games. In addition, Nash has registered 15 points (eight goals, seven assists) in his last 21 games, and he has recorded a goal in eight of those contests. He is also tied for the team lead in power play goals this season (five).
• Michael Grabner tallied two points (one goal, one assist) and posted a plus-one rating. He leads the NHL in even strength goals this season (22), and he leads the Rangers in goals in 2016-17 (23).

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Chris Kreider registered a goal and recorded three shots on goal. Kreider's goal was his 21st of the season, tying his career-high (he also tallied 21 goals in 2014-15 and 2015-16). He extended his goal streak to three games, tying his career-high. Kreider has registered 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 24 games at MSG this season.
• Jesper Fast tallied the game-winning goal and posted a plus-one rating in 15:27 of ice time.
• Derek Stepan recorded an assist and won 10 of 18 faceoffs (55.6%) in 20:43 of ice time. He leads the Rangers in primary assists this season (19). Stepan has recorded eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last nine games.
• Ryan McDonagh tallied an assist, which was his 200th career NHL point, while skating in a game-high 24:53 of ice time. McDonagh is the 15th defenseman who has registered at least 200 points as a member of the Rangers in franchise history. McDonagh has registered 30 or more points in four consecutive seasons (2013-14 - 2016-17) and in five seasons in his career (2011-12; 2013-14 - 2016-17). He is the ninth defenseman in franchise history who has tallied 30 or more points in at least five different seasons. With 28 assists this season, McDonagh is one assist away from tying his career-high (29; 2013-14).
• Brady Skjei registered an assist in 19:30 of ice time. Skjei is one of four Rangers defensemen who have tallied at least 20 assists in their rookie season since 1988-89 (Brian Leetch - 1988-89; Sergei Zubov - 1992-93; Michael Del Zotto - 2009-10).
• Mika Zibanejad registered his 100th career NHL assist in today's contest. Zibanejad also extended his assist/point streak to three games (three assists over the span).
• Dan Girardi tallied an assist in 19:49 of ice time. Girardi skated in his 773rd career game with the Rangers in today's contest, passing Adam Graves for sole possession of ninth place on the franchise's all-time games played list.
• Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves to earn his 23rd win of the season and the 397th win of his NHL career.
• Alain Vigneault earned his 599th career win as a head coach in the NHL in today's contest.

- New York Rangers