Rangers at Bruins 3.2.17: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 41 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the fourth-most the team has earned through the first 64 games of one season in franchise history. The only seasons in which the Blueshirts earned more than 41 wins through the first 64 games of a season were 1971-72 (43), 1972-73 (42), and 2011-12 (42). As of the conclusion of tonight's game, the Rangers are tied for second in the NHL in wins this season. The Blueshirts have won 10 of their last 14 games (10-3-1), as well as 13 of their last 19 contests (13-5-1).

• ROAD WARRIORS - New York leads the NHL in road wins this season (22) and also leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (94). The Blueshirts have won 11 of their last 13 road games (11-2-0). The Rangers have also earned a win in 21 of their last 27 road contests (21-6-0), including 15 of their last 18 road games (15-3-0).
• BOUNCE BACK - Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 34-9-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 17-5-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
• SWEET 16 - Three Rangers rookies have registered 16 or more points this season (Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey, and Pavel Buchnevich). Prior to this season, the last time three Rangers rookies tallied at least 16 points in the same season was 2005-06 (Petr Prucha, Fedor Tyutin, and Dominic Moore).
• SOMETHIN' BRUIN - The Rangers won all three games against the Bruins in 2016-17, sweeping a season series against Boston for the first time since 2006-07. The Rangers have played more regular season games (643) and have earned more regular season wins (255) against Boston than against any other opponent in their 90-season history. Since Mar. 24, 2007, 25 of the 36 meetings between the Rangers and Bruins have been decided by one goal.
• ON POINT - A Rangers defenseman tallied an assist on each of the Rangers' two goals in tonight's game. Blueshirts defensemen have tallied 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) over the last 10 games.
• ONE AND WON - Since Jan. 7, 14 of the Rangers' 23 games have been decided by one goal. The Rangers have earned at least one point in each of the last 11 games they have played which were decided by one goal, dating back to Jan. 22 (10-0-1). The Blueshirts have posted a 19-7-2 record in one-goal games this season and rank second in the NHL in winning percentage in one-goal games in 2016-17 (.679).
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in 12 of the last 19 games and in 38 games this season. The Blueshirts have posted a 32-4-2 record in those 38 contests in 2016-17.
• THIRD PERIOD TALLIES - The Rangers recorded two goals in the third period of tonight's game. The Blueshirts lead the NHL in third period goals this season (86) and the Rangers' 86 third period goals are the most a team has recorded in any period thus far in 2016-17.
• STAYING DISCIPLINED - New York was assessed two penalties in tonight's game. The Rangers have been shorthanded three times or fewer in each of the last eight games and in 19 of the last 21 contests.
• KILL ZONE - The Rangers were 2-for-2 (4:00) on the penalty kill in tonight's contest. The Blueshirts have posted a 29-7-0 record in games which they have not allowed a power play goal in 2016-17.

Three Stars on Broadway

• - Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves to earn his 29th win of the season and his 403rd career NHL win. By earning a win in tonight's contest, Lundqvist tied Grant Fuhr for 10th place on the NHL's all-time wins list. In addition, Lundqvist tied Martin Brodeur for the most wins by a goaltender in his first 12 seasons in league history. Lundqvist appeared in his 734th career game with the Rangers in tonight's contest, tying Terry Sawchuk for the third-most appearances a goaltender has made with one franchise in NHL history. The only goaltenders who have appeared in more games with one franchise than Lundqvist has with the Rangers are Martin Brodeur (1,259 with New Jersey) and Tony Esposito (873 with Chicago). Lundqvist has posted an 11-4-1 record, along with a 2.17 GAA, a .931 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 17 appearances. In addition, he has made at least 30 saves in 17 games this season; he has posted a 15-2-0 record, along with a 1.86 GAA, a .948 SV%, and 1 SO in those contests.
• Ryan McDonagh tied for the game-high with three blocked shots, tied for the team-high with four shots on goal, and was credited with four hits while skating in a game-high, 27:16 of ice time in tonight's contest. Since Oct. 16, 2014, the Rangers have posted a 31-7-4 record in games which McDonagh has logged at least 25:00 of ice time.
• Pavel Buchnevich registered the first goal of the game, drew two penalties, and posted a plus-one rating in 15:13 of ice time. He recorded a goal in each of his two games against the Bruins this season, and he has tallied four of his seven goals in 2016-17 on the road.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Oscar Lindberg tallied the game-winning goal, drew a penalty, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's contest. He has registered a goal/point in three of the last six games (three goals), and he has recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in the last 12 games.
• Brady Skjei recorded an assist and posted a plus-one rating in 18:34 of ice time. Skjei has registered 28 assists in 2016-17, which are tied for the most a Rangers defenseman has notched in his rookie season since Brian Leetch established a franchise record for assists by a rookie with 48 in 1988-89 (Michael Del Zotto also recorded 28 assists in his rookie season in 2009-10). He has tallied 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in the last 19 games, including 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in the last 15 games and 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in the last 13 contests. As of the conclusion of tonight's game, Skjei ranks fourth among NHL defensemen in even strength assists this season (24).
• Nick Holden recorded an assist and tied for the team-high with five hits. He added to his career-high in assists (20) and points (29) this season, and he reached the 20-assist plateau for the first time in his NHL career. Holden leads the Rangers in hits this season (133).
• Rick Nash tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's contest. Nash has registered five points (two goals, three assists) in the last eight games and 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in the last 21 contests.
• Matt Puempel notched an assist, recorded one shot on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's game. He has registered six of his eight points in 2016-17 on the road.
• Brendan Smith was credited with two blocked shots and recorded one hit in 20:51 of ice time while making his Rangers debut in tonight's contest. Smith has logged at least 20:00 of ice time in each of his last four games and in six of the last eight contests he has played.
• Marc Staal skated in his 672nd career game as a Ranger in tonight's contest, passing James Patrick for sole possession of 14th place on the franchise's all-time games played list. In addition, Staal passed Patrick for sixth among defensemen in career games played with the Rangers. The only defensemen who have skated in more career games with the Blueshirts than Staal are Harry Howell, Brian Leetch, Ron Greschner, Jim Neilson, and Dan Girardi.