NYR TODAY Thursday 6/7: Rangers & Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Birthday: 

Matt Beleskey #39 Left Wing
Born: June 7, 1988
Birthplace: Windsor, ON, CAN
Shoots: Left
Draft: 2006 ANA, 4th rd, 19th pk (112th overall)

Acquired by the Rangers on 2/25/2018 along with Ryan Spooner, Ryan Lindgren, a first-round pick in 2018 and a seventh-round pick in 2019 from the Boston Bruins for Rick Nash.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 6/7 

Giles Marotte D (1973-1976) Leo Reise Jr. D (1952-1954)

Today in NYR History June 7

1994: SAVE BY RICHTER: Mike Richter denies Pavel Bure on a penalty shot in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The Rangers would win Game 4, 4-2, to take a 3-1 series lead.

NYR TODAY Tuesday May 8: Rangers & Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

New York Rangers Birthday

Kevin Hayes, Center / Right Wing #13
Born May 8 1992, Dorchester, MA

NYR Alumni Birthdays 5/8 

Corey Locke C (2009-2010) Jussi Markkanen G (2003-2004)

Today in NYR History May 8

1979: The Rangers advance to the Stanley Cup Final after beating the Islanders, 2-1, in Game 6 of the Semifinals at MSG.

1997: Mike Richter records his ninth and final playoff shutout of his career, making 35 saves in a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

NYR TODAY Friday 9/1: Rangers & Alumni Birthdays

New York Rangers Birthday 9/1: Mats Zuccarello

Position: Right Wing
Uniform Numbers: 48, 36
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 179
Shoots: Left
Born: Sep 1, 1987  (Age 29)
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Hometown: Oslo, Norway
   
Acquired: Signed with Rangers as an undrafted free agent on May 26, 2010.

Career Regular Season Rangers Stats: GP 303, G  71, A  132, PTS  203, +/- +43, PIM 129, PPG 12. SHG 1, GWG 14

Career Rangers Playoff Stats: GP 48, G 7, A 17, PTS 24, +/- +4, PIM 30, GWG 1

NYR Alumni Birthdays September 1: 

Norm Maciver D (1986-1989) Alexi Vasuliev D (1999-2000) Jeff Woywitka D (2011-2012)

NYR TODAY Sunday 3/26: Rangers vs Ducks Preview, Alumni and Rangers Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW
Rangers look to Clinch Playoff Berth in Lundqvist's Return Tonight vs Anaheim

NEW YORK RANGERS (46-25-4) vs ANAHEIM DUCKS (40-23-11)
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA 9:00 PM TV: MSG Radio: WEPN 98.7 FM

Henrik Lundqvist makes his return to the lineup after a hip injury tonight to face the Ducks in Anaheim. The Rangers and Ducks face off for the second and final time tonight. The Rangers won the previous contest at MSG 4-1 back on February 7th.

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 44 of 45 shots on goal during the contest while Michael Grabner scored 2 two goals. Oscar Lindberg and Mats Zuccarello also tallied goals in the game.

The Rangers can clinch a playoff berth tonight with a win vs the Ducks.

The Rangers are coming off a 3-0 Win over the Los Angeles Kings last night. Antti Raanta shined with a 30 save shutout performance. Derek Stepan, Ryan McDonagh and Rick Nash all tallied goals in the win.


NY Rangers Projected Lineup vs Los Angeles

Forwards:
Chris Kreider, Derek Stepan, Mats Zuccarello
Jimmy Vesey, Mika Zibanejad, Rick Nash
Michael Grabner, Kevin Hayes, JT Miller
Pavel Buchnevich, Oscar Lindberg, Jesper Fast

Defense:
Dan Girardi-Ryan McDonagh
Marc Staal-Nick Holden
Brady Skjei-Brendan Smith

Starter:
Henrik Lundqvist

Backup:
Antti Raanta

Scratches: Brandon Pirri, Tanner Glass, Matt Puempel, Steven Kampfer, Kevin Klein, Adam Clendening

NYR GAME DAY STATS:

RANGERS TEAM LEADERS:
SKATERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 27
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 39
POINTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 54
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +26
GWG: J.T. MILLER 6
PPG: CHRIS KREIDER, RICK NASH 6
PPP: DEREK STEPAN 16
SHG: J.T. MILLER 3
SHP KEVIN HAYES 7
PIM: CHRIS KREIDER 54
FO%: BRANDON PIRRI 57.14

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 30
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.26
SO: ANTTI RANTA 4
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .922

ANTTI RAANTA 15-8-2 GAA: 2.26 SV%: .922 SO: 4
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  30-17-2 GAA: 2.65 SV%: .913 SO: 2

RANGERS TEAM STATS

46-25-4
5th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 46
POINTS: 96
WIN%: 0.640
GOALS FOR: 235
GOALS AGAINST: 192
POWER PLAY GOALS: 42
POWER PLAY OPPROTUNITIES: 218
POWER PLAY %: 19.27
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 42
TIMES SHORTHANDED: 206
PENALTY KILL: 79.61
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 9
SHORT HANDED GOALS AGAINST: 3
SHUTOUTS: 7
TIMES SHUT OUT: 2
EMPTY NET GOALS: 12
SHOOTOUTS: 3/6

NYR Alumni Birthdays March 26:

Roger Leger D (1943-1944) Greg Moore RW (2007-2008) Ulf Sammuelsson D (1995-1999)

NY RANGERS BIRTHDAY:

Brady Skjei 

Born: March 24, 1994 Lakeville, MN, USA

Defenseman #76 2016-Present

Drafted by Rangers, 1st rd, 28th Pick overall 2012 NHL Entry Draft

Today in NYR History March 26:

1929: Frank Boucher scores in overtime of Game 2 of the Semifinals to give the Rangers a 2-1 win over Toronto to advanced to the Stanley Cup Final.

NYR TODAY 3/14: Alumni and Rangers Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthday March 14:

Vaclav Nedomansky RW (1982-1983)

NY RANGERS BIRTHDAY

Jonathan Tanner "J. T." Miller, Born March 14, 1993, East Palestine, OH
#10 Center/Left Wing; 2012-Present
Drafted by New York Rangers, 1st Round #15 overall 2011 NHL Entry Draft 

Today in NYR History March 14:

1992: Tony Amonte scores the first hat trick of his career in a 6-0 win over St. Louis.

2014: Henrik Lundqvist ties Mike Richter for most wins in franchise history with 301 following a 4-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

NYR TODAY Thursday 3/2: Rangers vs Bruins Preview, Alumni & NYR Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (40-21-2) vs BOSTON BRUINS (33-24-6)
Madison Square Garden, NYC 7:00 PM TV: MSG, NBCSN Radio: WEPN 98.7 FM

Leading the Eastern Conference Wild Card Race the Rangers come into tonight's contest with the Boston Bruins with a questionable lineup. Already without Dan Girardi (ankle-2 weeks), Kevin Klein (back-day to day) and Mika Zibanejad (wrist/hand-day to day) the Rangers found out on Wednesday that they have lost forward Jesper Fast to a shoulder separation. Fast will miss the next 2-3 weeks.

Also in question for tonight's game are Michael Grabner who left practice yesterday after taking a cross check to the hip from teammate Adam Clendening and Chris Kreider who missed minutes in the previous game and did not practice yesterday. Although Zibanejad skated yesterday and was quoted as being "miles ahead of where he was the day before" his status is still up in the air.

Henrik Lundqvist looking for career win 403, will get the start tonight for the Rangers. Lundqvist is 24-12-2 with a 1.95 goals against average, a .935 save percentage and six shutouts in goal against the Bruins.

During yesterday's practice Jimmy Vesey, Kevin Hayes and Michael Grabner, Brandon Pirri, Oscar Lindberg and Matt Puempel were the only set lines while the other forwards were mixing and matching. On defense Ryan McDonagh was paired with newly acquired with Brendan Smith, Marc Staal was paired with Nick Holden and Brady Skjei was paired with Adam Clendening.


NYR GAME DAY STATS:

RANGERS TEAM LEADERS:

GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 26
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 32
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 48
+/-: 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 42
FO%: CHRIS KREIDER 62.50

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 28
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.36
SO: HENRIK LUNDQVIST, ANTTI RANTA 2
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .920
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  28-16-2 GAA: 2.67 SV%: .911 SO: 2
ANTTI RAANTA 12-4-0 GAA: 2.36 SV%: .912 SO: 2

RANGERS TEAM STATS

40-21-2
6th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 40 (Rank #3)
POINTS: 82 (Rank #6)
WIN%: 0.651 (Rank #7)
GOALS FOR: 204 (Rank #4)
GOALS AGAINST: 166 (Rank #12)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 34 (Rank #19)
POWER PLAY %: 18.48 (Rank #17)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 32 (Rank #8)
PENALTY KILL: 80.84 (Rank #16)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 8 (Rank #1)
SHORT HANDED GOALS AGAINST: 3 (Rank #8)
SHUTOUTS: 5 (Rank #7)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 11
SHOOTOUTS: 3/5

NYR Alumni Birthdays March 2:

Eddie Johnstone RW (1975-1983) Joby Messier D (1992-1995) Darren Turcotte C (1988-1993)

NEW YORK RANGERS BIRTHDAY

Henrik Lundqvist 
Born: March 2, 1982: Are, Sweden
Goaltender 2005-Present, NHL Vezina Trophy Winner 2011-2012
Drafted by New York Rangers 2000 NHL Entry Draft, Round 7, #205 Overall

Today in NYR History March 2:

1975: Rod Gilbert ties a franchise record with five assists in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

2002: Brian Leetch skates in his 1,000th career game, becoming the third player to reach that milestone as a Ranger.

NYR TODAY Friday 1/13: Game Day Preview, Rangers & Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (28-13-1) TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (18-13-8)
Madison Square Garden, NYC 7:00 PM TV: MSG, RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

Good Bye Bye Week! 
The Rangers get back to action tonight after a 5 day Bye Week Layoff taking on the Toronto Maple Leafs at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers and Maple Leafs meet up tonight for the first of three games this season and the first of two this month, the next coming on January 19th.

Both Pavel Buchnevich and Rick Nash will be returning to the Rangers lineup after lengthy IR stints. Mika Zibanejad who was cleared for full practice will not return until he has had a chance to get more practice time.

Defenseman Nick Holden (personal) and forward Jesper Fast (flu) did not practice yesterday. Holden is expected to be in tonight's lineup while Fast will be a game time decision as his bout with the flu was termed "really under the weather". Marc Staal will not be playing as he is going through continued concussion protocol.

The Rangers starting goaltender has not yet been announced but Henrik Lundqvist is expected to get the nod.

The Rangers will honor NYPD Detective Steven McDonald who passed away this week before the game.

NYR GAME DAY STATS:

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 19
ASSISTS: RYAN McDONAGH 23
POINTS: DEREK STEPAN, KEVIN HAYES 31
+/-: NICK HOLDEN, MICHAEL GRABNER +22
GWG: DAN GIRARDI, BRANDON PIRRI, JIMMY VESEY, KEVIN HAYES, J.T. MILLER, MICHAEL GRABNER 3
PPG: RICK NASH, JIMMY VESEY, BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER 4
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 9
SHG: J.T. MILLER 2

GOALIE STATS:
WINS: HENRIK LUNDQVIST 18
GAA: ANTTI RAANTA 2.28
SO: ANTTI RANTA 2
SV%: ANTTI RAANTA .921
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  18-9-1 GAA: 2.55 SV%: .912 SO: 1
ANTTI RAANTA 10-4-0 GAA: 2.28 SV%: .921 SO: 2

NYR TEAM STATS
28-13-1
5th Overall NHL
4th Metropolitan Division
WINS: 28 (Rank TIE #1)
POINTS: 57 (Rank #5)
WIN%: 0.679 (Rank #6)
GOALS FOR: 144 (Rank #1)
GOALS AGAINST: 106 (Rank #9)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 29 (Rank #)
POWER PLAY RANK: 23.20 (Rank #4)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 20 (Rank #5)
PENALTY KILL: 83.05 (Rank #9)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 5 (Rank #2)
SHUTOUTS: 4 (Rank #5)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 8
SHOOTOUTS: 2/3

NY Rangers Birthday

Marc Staal, 1/13/1987 Thunder Bay, Ontario, CN
Defenseman 2007-Present
Drafted by Rangers 2005 NHL Entry Draft Round 1, #12 Overall

NYR Alumni Birthdays January 13:

Ceasare Maningo G (1965-1967) Graeme Nicholson D (1982-1983) Mike Rupp C (2011-2013)

Today in NYR History January 13:

1927: The Rangers host the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time, tying them, 1-1.

1940: The Rangers defeat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 to extend their winning streak to 10 games, their unbeaten streak to 19 and their road unbeaten streak to 11 games. The 10-game winning streak (matched in 1972-73) is still the longest in franchise history. Goaltender Dave Kerr extends his personal unbeaten streak to 19 games, a Rangers record that stands until 1994.

1993: Mark Messier scores a goal and has three assists to reach 1,200 points and help the New York Rangers hold off the Washington Capitals 5-4 at Madison Square Garden. He scores the go-ahead goal midway through the third period and sets up Adam Graves for what turn out to be the game-winner at 15:42.

NYR TODAY Tuesday 12/13: Game Day Preview, Rangers & Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (20-9-1) CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (18-8-4)
Madison Square Garden, NYC 7:00 PM TV: NBCSN, MSG2 RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

Entering tonight's game with a three game win streak the Rangers take on the Blackhawks for the second time in five days. In the previous game Antti Raanta shutout his former team 1-0 in a goaltending battle between himself and the Hawks Scott Darling. Raanta is also coming off a 5-0 shutout of the NJ devils in which 5 different Rangers scored in the contest.

The big question tonight is who will be in net for the Rangers. Head coach Alain Vigneault said after Sunday's game that he knew who his goaltender would be, but would not divulge that information before he spoke to both his netminders. While Raanta is the hot hand and just defeated his old team, Henrik Lundqvist is 6-2-2 with a .925 SV% and a 2.19 GAA. He's allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his 10 career starts against the Blackhawks.

No other lineup changes are expected tonight for the Rangers.

Rick Nash was to resume skating yesterday on his own while rehabbing a groin injury.

NYR PREGAME TEAM STATS:

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 13
ASSISTS: RYAN McDONAGH, DEREK STEPAN 16
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 22
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +19
GWG: DAN GIRARDI, BRANDON PIRRI, JIMMY VESEY, KEVIN HAYES 3
PPG: RICK NASH 4
PPP: RICK NASH, DEREK STEPAN, CHRIS KREIDER 6

GOALIE STATS:
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  12-8-1 GAA: 2.55 SV%: .912
ANTTI RAANTA 8-1-0 GAA: 1.65 SV%: .943

NYR TEAM STATS
20-9-1
2nd Overall NHL
1st Metropolitan Division
POINTS: 41 (Rank #2)
WIN%: 0.683 (Rank #2)
GOALS FOR: 105 (Rank #1)
GOALS AGAINST: 69 (Rank #7)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 21 (Rank #5)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 4 (Rank #2)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 11 (Rank #2)
POWER PLAY RANK: 22.58 (Rank #5)
PENALTY KILL: 85.90 (Rank #4)
SHUTOUTS: 3 (Rank #3)
EMPTY NET GOALS: 5
SHOOTOUTS: 0/1

NEW YORK RANGERS BIRTHDAY

KEVIN KLEIN Defense #8
Born: December 13, 1984; Birthplace: Kitchener, ON, CAN

NYR Alumni Birthdays December 13:

Don Johns D (1960-61,1962-65) Leo Wharton D (1944-1945)

Today in NYR History December 13:

1991 - Mark Messier recorded a hat trick and Brian Leetch registered three assists as the Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals, 5-3, in Washington.

1992: After 67 years and 535 games against Montreal, the New York Rangers finally hit double figures in a 10-5 win against the Canadiens at Madison Square Garden. New York's Doug Weight and Sergei Nemchinov each score twice against goaltender Andre Racicot, and rookie Alexei Kovalev has a goal and three assists. 

1996: Wayne Gretzky tallies two assists, and Mike Richter makes 30 saves for the 15th regular season shutout of his career as the Rangers defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 3-0.

2005 - Petr Prucha tied a Rangers rookie record by registering a goal for the sixth consecutive game. Prucha registered two goals against the Vancouver Canucks at MSG,

NYR TODAY Friday 12/2: Rangers and Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

New York Rangers Birthday

Jesper Fast #19 Right Wing
Drafted by Rangers 2010 NHL Entry Draft: 6th Round, 157th Overall
Born December 2, 1991 Nassjo Sweden

NYR Alumni Birthdays December 2:

Dick Bouchard RW (1954-1955) Val Fonteyne LW (1963-1965) Bill McCreary Sr. LW (1953-1955) Thomas Pock D (2004-2007)

Today in NYR History December 2:

1967: The Rangers play for the first time in Pittsburgh, and defeat the Penguins, 4-1.

NYR TODAY Thurs 9/1: Rangers & Alumni Birthdays

New York Rangers Birthday 9/1: Mats Zuccarello

Position: Right Wing
Uniform Numbers: 48, 36
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 179
Shoots: Left
Born: Sep 1, 1987  (Age 29)
Birthplace: Oslo, Norway
Hometown: Oslo, Norway
   
Acquired: Signed with Rangers as an undrafted free agent on May 26, 2010.

Career Regular Season Rangers Stats: GP 303, G  71, A  132, PTS  203, +/- +43, PIM 129, PPG 12. SHG 1, GWG 14

Career Rangers Playoff Stats: GP 48, G 7, A 17, PTS 24, +/- +4, PIM 30, GWG 1

NYR Alumni Birthdays September 1: 
Norm Maciver D (1986-1989) Alexi Vasuliev D (1999-2000) Jeff Woywitka D (2011-2012)

Norm Maciver
Seasons with Rangers: 3
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 66
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Signed with Rangers as an undrafted free agent on Sept. 8, 1986.
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Hartford with Brian Lawton and Don Maloney in exchange for Carey Wilson and 1990 fifth-round draft pick (Lubos Rob) on Dec. 26, 1988

RANGERS DEBUT
Oct. 9, 1986 (Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils)
FINAL GAME WITH RANGERS
Dec. 23, 1988 (Rangers at Washington Capitals)

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 98
Minor-league teams: New Haven (AHL) 1986-87; Colorado (IHL) 1987-88

Uniform Number: 37
Retired from pro hockey: 1999

Alexi Vasuliev
Seasons with Rangers: 1
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 1
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0
Acquired
Selected by Rangers in Round 5 of 1995 NHL Entry Draft (Fourth Rangers pick, No. 110 overall).
Departed
Traded by Rangers to Nashville in exchange for a 2001 conditional draft pick on Sept. 25, 2000.

RANGERS DEBUT
April 5, 2000 (Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens)

RANGERS ORGANIZATION STATISTICS
Minor-league games: 150
Minor-league teams: Hartford (AHL) 1998-2000

Uniform Number: 36

Vasiliev also spent 12 seasons playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Russian Superleague & Kontinental Hockey League. His contract was not renewed for the 2011–12 KHL season, which saved his life as he was not on the plane that crashed September 7, 2011, killing the majority of the team.

Jeff Woywitka
Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 27
Playoff Games with Rangers: 0

Acquired
Claimed by Rangers off waivers from Montreal on Oct. 6, 2011
Departed
July 2, 2012 signed with St Louis Blues as UFA

NYR TODAY SAT 6/18: Rumors, Birthdays, TDINYRH

Rangers Rumors

According to the Hockey News, The Rangers have asked forward Rick Nash for his NTC teams list. The teams rumored to be looking to trade for Nash are Buffalo, St. Louis and Detroit If the Wings can clear cap space). No official statement has been issued by the Rangers or Nash's agent.

Chris Kreider and the Rangers have not yet spoken about a contract extension as he nears RFA status on July 1st.









NYR Alumni Birthday 6/18 

Martin St. Louis RW (2013-2014)



















NYR Birthday

Derek Stepan
Born: Jun 18, 1990  (Age 27)
Birthplace: Hastings, MN, United States
Hometown: Hastings, Minnesota
Position: Center
Number: 21
Height: 6' 0"
Weight: 196
Shoots: Right
Drafted by Rangers 2008 NHL Entry Draft, 2nd round, 51st overall







Today in NYR History June 18
1975: The Rangers acquire goaltender John Davidson and Bill Collins from St. Louis for Ted Irvine, Bert Wilson and Jerry Butler.