NYR TODAY Wednesday 3/9: Rangers vs Hurricanes Preview, Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (43-22-2) vs CAROLINA HURRICANES (26-27-10)
PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC 7:00 PM TV: MSG, FSCR, Radio: WEPN 98.7 FM

Tonight the Rangers face the Hurricanes for the fourth and final time this season. The Rangers lead the season series 2-1 with a 3-2 win on November 29th and a 4-2 win on December 3rd, both victories coming at Madison Square Garden. The loss coming in Carolina 32 back on October 28th.

The Rangers come into tonight's game with a two game win streak backed by a 42 save performance by Henrik Lundqvist on Tuesday against Florida and a 38 save performance by Antti Raanta on Monday in Tampa Bay. Leading the NHL in road wins New York enters the contest with a road record of 24-8-0 the Rangers will also be playing their fifth game in eight days.

Injured forward and team leading goal scorer Michael Grabner is probable for tonight's game returning from a hip injury. With Wednesday being a travel day the Rangers did not hold a formal practice, so lines and the starting goaltender have not yet been announced for tonight's game.

NYR GAME DAY STATS:

RANGERS TEAM LEADERS:

SKATERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 26
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 34
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 49
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +27
GWG: J.T. MILLER 6
PPG: BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER, RICK NASH, JIMMY VESEY 5
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 12
SHG: J.T. MILLER 3
SHP KEVIN HAYES 6
PIM: CHRIS KREIDER 46
FO%: BRANDON PIRRI 57.21

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 30
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.22
SO: HENRIK LUNDQVIST, ANTTI RANTA 2
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .925
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  30-17-2 GAA: 2.65 SV%: .913 SO: 2
ANTTI RAANTA 13-4-0 GAA: 2.22 SV%: .925 SO: 2

RANGERS TEAM STATS

43-22-2
5th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 43 (Rank #2)
POINTS: 88 (Rank #5)
WIN%: 0.657 (Rank #)
GOALS FOR: 213 (Rank #2)
GOALS AGAINST: 173 (Rank #12)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 34 (Rank #21)
POWER PLAY %: 17.44 (Rank #21)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 33 (Rank #8)
PENALTY KILL: 81.77 (Rank #11)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 8 (Rank #2)
SHORT HANDED GOALS AGAINST: 3 (Rank #6)
SHUTOUTS: 5 (Rank #6)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 12
SHOOTOUTS: 3/5

NYR Alumni Birthdays March 9:

Radek Dvorak RW (1999-2003) Jim Krulicki LW (197-1971)

Today in NYR History March 9:

1996: Brian Leetch establishes a franchise record for assists by a defenseman, passing Ron Greschner with his 432nd helper in a 6-1 win over Washington.

2008: Henrik Lundqvist ties John Vanbiesbrouck on the Rangers' all-time shutout list following a 1-0 win over Boston at Madison Square Garden. The shutout is the 16th of his career.

2014: Henrik Lundqvist  makes 30 saves in a shutout victory over Detroit. The win is Lundqvist's 300th of his NHL career, while the shutout tied him with Eddie Giacomin for most in franchise history with 49.