Showing posts with label St. Louis Blues. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. Louis Blues. Show all posts

Friday, March 29, 2019

Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Blues 03.29.19

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. ST. LOUIS BLUES
Friday, Mar. 29, 2019, 7:00 p.m. ET
Madison Square Garden - New York, NY

Rangers: 29-34-13 (71 pts)
Blues: 41-27-8 (90 pts)

The Rangers play their 77th game of the 2018-19 season tomorrow, Mar. 29, against the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network, Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). Tomorrow's contest is the Blueshirts' final game against a Western Conference opponent in 2018-19. Including tomorrow's game, the Rangers conclude the 2018-19 season with six games over a nine-day stretch.

TOMORROW STARTS TODAY

Through seven trades made leading up to the NHL's Trade Deadline in both 2018 and 2019, the Rangers acquired 22 assets in exchange for eight players who were on the team's roster. Among the assets acquired were:

  • Four picks in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft (including two first-round picks)
  • Six picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (including one first-round pick and two second-round picks which could become first-round picks)
  • Five players who were 22 years old or younger at the time they were acquired (Brett Howden, Brendan Lemieux, Libor Hajek, Ryan Lindgren, and Yegor Rykov)
  • The Rangers either have made, or will make, seven selections in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft over a three-year period from 2017 - 2019. Since the start of the NHL Entry Draft Era in 1979 (following the NHL-WHA merger), no NHL team has made more than seven first-round selections in a three-year span. In addition, for the first time in franchise history (since the inception of the NHL Amateur/Entry Draft in 1963), the Rangers have had multiple first-round picks in three consecutive years (two first-round selections in 2017, three first-round selections in 2018, and two first-round selections in 2019).

In 2018, the Rangers selected three players in the first round of the same NHL Amateur/Entry Draft for the first time in franchise history. The Blueshirts used their three first-round picks to select Vitali Kravtsov, K'Andre Miller, and Nils Lundkvist.

  • Kravtsov - led all KHL players younger than 20 years old in goals (eight), assists (13), and points (21) during the regular season in 2018-19; Kravtsov's 21 points are tied for the ninth-most by a KHL player younger than 20 years old in the league's history (tied with Artemi Panarin)
  • Miller - leads NCAA freshmen defensemen (min. 25 games played) in assists per game (0.65) and points per game (0.85) in 2018-19; named one of the finalists for the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, and was named an Honorable Mention for the All-Big Ten Hockey Team in 2018-19
  • Lundkvist - led SHL defensemen younger than 19 years old in assists (seven) and points (10) during the regular season in 2018-19; over the last 30 seasons (since 1989-90) in the SHL, Lundkvist is one of 14 defensemen younger than 19 years old who have who have tallied 10 or more points in a single season, and his 10 points are tied for the 10th-most by a defenseman younger than 19 years old in the league over the span

The Rangers made 10 selections overall in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft, which was the most the team made in one year since the NHL adopted a seven-round Draft format beginning in 2005. The Blueshirts currently have 10 picks in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (their own first-round pick, Winnipeg's first-round pick, their own second-round pick, either Dallas' second-round pick or first-round pick, either Tampa Bay's second-round pick or first-round pick, their own third-round pick, Columbus' fourth-round pick, their own fifth-round pick, their own sixth-round pick, and Columbus' seventh-round pick).

RANGERS VS. BLUES

  • All-Time: 80-44-16-2 (47-14-6-1 at home; 33-30-10-1 on the road)
  • 2018-19: Tomorrow's game is the second of two meetings between the Rangers and Blues, and the only meeting between the two teams at MSG. The Rangers have posted a 1-0-0 record (0-0-0 at home; 1-0-0 on the road), following their 2-1 win on Dec. 31 at St. Louis. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 39 of 40 shots he faced, including all 33 shots over the final two periods, to earn the win, and Boo Nieves registered his first career game-winning goal in the NHL. The Rangers were 1-for-3 (33.3%) on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill in the contest.
  • The Rangers have earned at least one point in seven of their last nine games against the Blues, dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season (5-2-2 record over the span).
  • Dating back to Nov. 3, 2002, 18 of 22 meetings between the Rangers and St. Louis have been decided by two or fewer goals. In addition, 15 of those contests have been decided by one goal or fewer.
  • The Blueshirts have recorded a power play goal in each of their last four games against the Blues (5-for-15; 33.3%) and in six of their last eight contests against St. Louis (7-for-25; 28.0%).
  • Walt Tkaczuk is the Rangers' all-time leader in games played (61), assists (36), points (50), and plus/minus rating (plus-25) against St. Louis. Rod Gilbert is the Rangers' all-time leader in goals against the Blues (20).
  • Ed Giacomin is the Rangers' all-time leader in appearances (32), wins (21), and shutouts (four) against St. Louis.

RANGERS-BLUES CONNECTIONS

  • Glen Sather played one season with St. Louis (1973-74).
  • Michael Del Zotto played parts of five seasons with the Rangers (2009-10 - 2013-14) and was selected to the NHL's All-Rookie Team in 2009-10. He was selected by the Rangers in the first round (20th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk played parts of seven seasons with the Blues (2010-11 - 2016-17).
  • MSG Network Analyst Joe Micheletti played parts of three seasons with St. Louis (1979-80 - 1981-82).
  • Blues Senior Advisor of Amateur Scouting Larry Pleau was the Rangers' Assistant General Manager for eight seasons (1989-90 - 1996-97) before becoming the Blues' General Manager in 1997-98, and he helped the Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1993-94.
  • Blues Pro Scout and General Manager of their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage, Kevin McDonald, worked in the Rangers' hockey operations department for seven seasons (1994-95 - 2000-01) and the Rangers' communications department from 1988 through the 1993-94 season.
  • Ryan Strome and Jordan Binnington were born on the same day (July 11, 1993). Both players represented Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk and Ryan O'Reilly were teammates with the Avalanche for part of one season (2010-11).
  • Pavel Buchnevich and Ivan Barbashev were teammates while representing Russia in several tournaments, including the 2012 World U17 Hockey Challenge, the 2012 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, the 2013 IIHF U18 World Championship, the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, and the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship. Buchnevich and Barbashev earned a gold medal at the 2012 World U17 Hockey Challenge, a bronze medal at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship, and a silver medal at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk, Brendan Smith, and David Perron were all selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Smith and Perron were selected with consecutive picks (Perron - 26th overall by St. Louis; Smith - 27th overall by Detroit). Shattenkirk and Perron were teammates with the Blues for parts of four seasons (2010-11 - 2012-13; 2016-17).
  • Henrik Lundqvist and Alexander Steen were teammates with Frolunda in Sweden for four seasons (2000-01 - 2003-04). During the four-year stretch, Lundqvist and Steen were teammates with Frolunda in the Swedish Elite League (now Swedish Hockey League) and Frolunda's junior team. Lundqvist and Steen also helped Sweden earn a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
  • Ryan Strome and Patrick Maroon were teammates with the Oilers for one season (2017-18).
  • Kevin Shattenkirk and Zach Sanford were part of the same trade in which Shattenkirk was dealt from St. Louis to Washington on Feb. 27, 2017.
  • Brett Howden and Robert Thomas helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
  • Ryan Strome and Jaden Schwartz helped Canada earn a bronze medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.
  • Brady Skjei and Patrick Maroon represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship. In addition, David Quinn was one of their Assistant Coaches in the tournament.
  • Vladislav Namestnikov and Vladimir Tarasenko represented Russia at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
  • Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, and Robert Thomas were selected in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
  • Chris Kreider and Brayden Schenn were both selected in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
  • Tony DeAngelo and Robby Fabbri were both selected in the first round of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft.
  • Marc Staal and Robert Bortuzzo are both from Thunder Bay, Ontario.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk and Brendan Smith were both teammates with Steve Ott during Ott's playing career (Shattenkirk and Ott were teammates on the Blues; Smith and Ott were teammates on the Red Wings).
  • Greg Brown was Zach Sanford's Associate Head Coach at Boston College for two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16).
  • Ryan Strome and Alex Pietrangelo were involved in a trade during their junior careers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL); Strome was traded from Barrie to Niagara and Pietrangelo was traded from Niagara to Barrie on Jan. 7, 2010.
  • David Quinn was one of Ryan O'Reilly's Assistant Coaches with the Avalanche during the 2012-13 season.
  • Lindy Ruff coached Steve Ott for part of one season with the Sabres (2012-13).
  • Lindy Ruff (Assistant Coach) and Doug Armstrong (Assistant General Manager) were members of the front office staff for Canada's gold-medal winning team at the Winter Olympics in both 2010 and 2014. Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Pietrangelo represented Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
  • Lindy Ruff coached Ryan O'Reilly with Team Canada at the 2013 IIHF World Championship.
  • Craig Berube was coached by Jim Schoenfeld for parts of four seasons with the Capitals (1993-94 - 1996-97).
  • Chris Drury and Craig Berube were teammates with the Flames for one season (2002-03).

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. BLUES

  • Henrik Lundqvist - 12 GP, 5-6-0, 2.14 GAA, .929 SV%, 1 SO - Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his last three appearances (2-1-0 record, 1.01 GAA, .969 SV%, 1 SO) and in four of his last five appearances (3-2-0 record, 1.41 GAA, .954 SV%, 1 SO) against St. Louis.
  • Chris Kreider - 10 GP, 4-8-12 - Kreider has tallied a point in eight of the last nine games against St. Louis (four goals, eight assists), and he has registered a goal in four of the nine contests. In addition, Kreider has posted a multi-point game in three of the last five games against the Blues (one goal, six assists over the five contests).
  • Mika Zibanejad - 10 GP, 5-6-11 - Zibanejad has tallied a point in five of the last six games against St. Louis (four goals, three assists), and he has recorded a point in eight of 10 career games against the Blues. He has also tallied three goals in the last three games against St. Louis, as well as four goals in the last five games against the Blues.
  • Ryan Strome - 8 GP, 2-2-4 - Strome has notched a point in four of eight career games against the Blues.
  • Connor Brickley - 3 GP, 0-3-3 - Brickley has tallied more assists and points against St. Louis than against any other opponent in his NHL career. He tied single-game career-highs with two assists and two points on Oct. 12, 2017 against the Blues as a member of the Florida Panthers.
  • Jimmy Vesey - 5 GP, 1-2-3 - Vesey established single-game career-highs with two assists and three points on Nov. 1, 2016 against the Blues at MSG.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk - 4 GP, 1-2-3 - Shattenkirk has tallied an assist/point in each of his two games against St. Louis as a member of the Rangers.
  • Pavel Buchnevich - 5 GP, 0-2-2 - Buchnevich has notched an assist/point in two of the last three games against the Blues.
  • Boo Nieves - 1 GP, 1-0-1 - Nieves registered his first career game-winning goal in the NHL on Dec. 31, 2018 at St. Louis.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

Several Rangers players have connections with fellow members of the Blueshirts and/or members of the team's coaching staff in addition to being teammates with the Rangers:

  • Pavel Buchnevich and Alexandar Georgiev were teammates while representing Russia in international competition during the 2014-15 season.
  • Fredrik Claesson and Mika Zibanejad were teammates with several teams prior to joining the Rangers:
  • The two were teammates in Sweden with Djurgardens' U18 team, U20 team in SuperElit, and professional team in the SHL over the course of three seasons (2009-10 - 2011-12).
  • Zibanejad and Claesson helped Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship.
  • Claesson and Zibanejad were both selected by the Ottawa Senators in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and were teammates in the Senators' organization (either with Ottawa or with Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Binghamton Senators) for parts of three seasons (2012-13 - 2013-14; 2015-16).
  • Fredrik Claesson and Jesper Fast represented Sweden in several tournaments over the course of three seasons (2009-10 - 2011-12).
  • Chris Kreider and Neal Pionk helped the United States earn a bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
  • Chris Kreider and Kevin Shattenkirk represented the United States at the 2011 IIHF World Championship.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk was coached by David Quinn on several teams throughout his career before Quinn became the Rangers Head Coach:
  • Quinn was an Associate Head Coach at Boston University for two seasons while Shattenkirk attended the school (2007-08 and 2008-09), and Boston University won the National Championship in 2008-09.
  • Quinn was Shattenkirk's first Head Coach in professional hockey, as he coached Shattenkirk for parts of two seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11) with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL).
  • David Oliver served as the Avalanche's Director of Player Development for two seasons (2009-10 and 2010-11) while Kevin Shattenkirk was in the organization. Shattenkirk made his professional hockey debut in 2009-10 and his NHL debut with Colorado in 2010-11.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk and Brendan Smith were both selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (Shattenkirk - 14th overall by Colorado; Smith - 27th overall by Detroit).
  • Kevin Shattenkirk is a native of New Rochelle, New York. He was a Rangers fan growing up, and his favorite player was Brian Leetch.
  • Kevin Shattenkirk was coached by Rangers TV/Radio Analyst Dave Maloney when he was in high school.
  • Brady Skjei was coached by David Quinn at the 2016 IIHF World Championship (Quinn was an Assistant Coach with Team USA).
  • Brady Skjei was coached by Greg Brown at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship (Brown was an Assistant Coach with Team USA).
  • Ryan Strome and Mika Zibanejad were selected with back-to-back picks in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft (Strome - fifth overall by the NY Islanders; Zibanejad - sixth overall by Ottawa). Vladislav Namestnikov was also selected in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
  • Jimmy Vesey and Connor Brickley both attended Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts; Brickley's final season at the school was in 2008-09, and Vesey's final season at the school was in 2010-11.
  • Lias Andersson's uncle, Mikael Andersson, was teammates with Lindy Ruff as members of the Buffalo Sabres (1985-86 - 1988-89).
  • Lias Andersson's father, Niklas Andersson, was teammates with Henrik Lundqvist as members of Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) for four seasons (2001-02 - 2004-05).
  • Lias Andersson and Mika Zibanejad helped Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
  • Filip Chytil and Libor Hajek represented the Czech Republic at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship.
  • Brady Skjei and Vinni Lettieri were teammates at the University of Minnesota for two seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15).

YOUTH SERVED

The Rangers are currently the youngest team in the NHL (average age is 25.7 years old). Seven of the Rangers' last 15 goals have been scored by a player who is 23 years old or younger (Buchnevich (3), Lemieux (2), Pionk, and Howden). At least one Ranger who is 23 years old or younger has registered a goal in eight of the last 10 games and in 10 of the last 13 games. The 2018-19 season is the third in franchise history which at least two players 20 years old or younger skated in 60 or more games (1976-77 - Dave Maloney, Mike McEwen, and Dave Farrish; 1977-78 - Ron Duguay and Lucien DeBlois; 2018-19 - Filip Chytil and Brett Howden).

ON POINT

At least one Rangers defenseman has recorded a point in 23 of the team's last 25 games, including all 23 games which the team has registered a goal over the span. Rangers defensemen have tallied 48 points (seven goals, 41 assists) in the last 25 games (note - does not include points recorded by Brendan Smith, who has played forward during the stretch).

CLOSE CALL

Six of the Rangers' last 12 games and 40 of their 76 games this season have been decided by one goal. The Blueshirts' 40 one-goal games are the second-most in the NHL in 2018-19. The Rangers have played at least 40 one-goal games in a season for the first time since 2008-09 (43). In addition, the 2018-19 season is the seventh in the Rangers' 92-season history that the team has played at least 40 games decided by one goal or fewer.

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist has earned 449 wins in his NHL career. Lundqvist ranks sixth on the NHL's all-time wins list, and his 449 career wins with the Rangers are the second-most a goaltender has earned with one franchise in NHL history.

ALEXANDAR THE GREAT

Alexandar Georgiev ranks second among NHL rookie goaltenders in appearances (29), ranks third among NHL rookie goaltenders in saves (818), and ranks fourth among NHL rookie goaltenders in wins (11) this season. Georgiev has made 30 or more saves in 15 of his 29 appearances this season, and he has also allowed two goals or fewer in 15 of those 29 appearances. In addition, he has helped the Rangers earn at least one point in 14 of his 26 starts in 2018-19.

MIKA MAGIC

Mika Zibanejad leads the Rangers in goals (30), assists (40), and points (70) this season, and he has established career-highs in all three categories. He is the first Rangers center who has recorded at least 30 goals in a season since Eric Lindros (37 in 2001-02). Zibanejad is one of three centers in Rangers history who have recorded at least 30 goals in a season when 25 years old or younger (along with Mark Pavelich and Darren Turcotte). Zibanejad is also one of three centers in franchise history who have registered 70 or more points in a season when 25 years old or younger (along with Walt Tkaczuk and Mark Pavelich). 

DOING IT ALL

Zibanejad is one of five NHL players who have registered 30 or more goals and have won 750 or more faceoffs this season (along with Aleksander Barkov, Sidney Crosby, John Tavares, and Jonathan Toews). He is also one of nine NHL players who have recorded at least 30 goals and 60 or more takeaways in 2018-19 (along with Barkov, Toews, Sebastian Aho, Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, Sean Monahan, Mark Scheifele, and Mark Stone). In addition, Zibanejad is one of two NHL players who have registered 30 or more goals and have been credited with 130 or more hits this season (along with Alex Ovechkin).

PLAYING THE GAME

Zibanejad is the only Ranger who has played in every game thus far this season, and he leads the Rangers in total ice time in 2018-19 (1,559:45). Since the NHL began to track ice time in 1997-98, no Rangers forward has led the team in total ice time in one season. Zibanejad is the first Rangers forward who has logged at least 1,559 minutes of ice time in one season since 2011-12 (Ryan Callahan, Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards, and Derek Stepan).

HOT AT THE DOT

Zibanejad's 785 faceoff wins in 2018-19 are the fifth-most a Ranger has registered in one season since the NHL began tracking faceoffs in 1997-98 and the most by a Ranger in one season since 2005-06. In addition, Zibanejad's 1,567 faceoffs taken this season are the fourth-most a Ranger has registered in one season since 1997-98 and the most by a Ranger in one season since 2005-06.

BUCH BOOST

Pavel Buchnevich enters the contest with a career-high five-game point streak (two goals, three assists). He has also tallied nine points (six goals, three assists) in the last 12 games. Buchnevich has established career-highs in goals (18), even strength goals (11), and power play goals (seven) this season.

STROME SURGE

Ryan Strome has recorded 15 goals since he was acquired by the Rangers on Nov. 16; his 15 goals with the Rangers are the most any NHL player acquired during the 2018-19 season has registered with his new team. Since he was acquired by the Rangers on Nov. 16, Strome ranks third on the team in goals and ranks fourth on the team in points (28). In addition, he is one of only two Rangers who have played in all of the team's 57 games since he was acquired on Nov. 16 (along with Mika Zibanejad).

DE-FENSE

Tony DeAngelo has recorded an assist/point in 14 of his last 20 games (15 assists) and in 16 of his last 24 games (17 assists). DeAngelo's 17 assists since Feb. 4 are tied for the most among NHL defensemen. He ranks 11th among NHL defensemen 23 years old or younger in points this season (29).

SHATT STATS

Kevin Shattenkirk has tallied 13 assists/points in his last 20 games, and his 13 assists since Feb. 12 are tied for the third-most among NHL defensemen.

21-FOR-21

Brett Howden is celebrating his 21st birthday tomorrow. Howden is one of two NHL rookie forwards (and one of five NHL rookies) who are averaging at least 1:00 of power play ice time per game and 1:00 of shorthanded ice time per game this season.

Since the NHL began to track ice time in 1997-98, Howden is the only Rangers rookie forward who has averaged at least 1:00 of power play ice time and 1:00 of shorthanded ice time per game in the same season. He has logged 73:16 of shorthanded ice time this season, which is the fourth-most a Rangers rookie forward has logged in a season since 1997-98 (trailing only Dominic Moore (293:28 in 2005-06), Mikael Samuelsson (147:43 in 2001-02), and Jed Ortmeyer (113:35 in 2003-04)). In addition, Howden's 330 faceoff wins in 2018-19 are the fourth-most a Rangers rookie has recorded in a season since the NHL began to track faceoffs in 1997-98 (trailing only Mike York (544 in 1999-00), Brandon Dubinsky (512 in 2007-08), and Dominic Moore (377 in 2005-06)).

CHYTIL-MANIA

Filip Chytil has skated in 72 games this season and in 81 games in his NHL career. Chytil's 72 games played this season are the third-most by a teenager in one season in franchise history (Del Zotto - 80 in 2009-10; Malhotra - 73 in 1998-99). Chytil's 81 career games played as a teenager are the second-most in Rangers history (Malhotra - 100).

Power Play:

  • The Rangers were 2-for-4 (7:24) on Mar. 27 at Boston.
  • New York has recorded a power play goal in each of the last two games (3-for-7; 42.9%).

Penalty Kill:

  • The Rangers were 2-for-6 (6:42) on Mar. 27 at Boston.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

  • Pavel Buchnevich - 3 points away from 100 in his NHL career/as a Ranger
  • Neal Pionk - 5 games away from 100 in his NHL career/as a Ranger

INJURIES (174 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

  • Libor Hajek (separated shoulder) - has missed eight games
  • Jesper Fast (upper-body; out for season) - has missed four games
  • Chris Kreider - has missed three games
  • Marc Staal (lower-body) - has missed two games

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

None

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

  • Mar. 28, 1940 - Dave Kerr posted his second consecutive shutout as the Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins, 1-0, in Game 5 of the Semifinals in Boston.
  • Mar. 29, 1929 - Madison Square Garden hosted a Stanley Cup Finals game for the first time, as the Rangers faced the Boston Bruins in Game 2 of the series. (Garden 366 Moment)
  • Mar. 29, 1989 - Brian Leetch tallied his 23rd goal of the 1988-89 season, establishing a single-season NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman.
  • Mar. 29, 1999 - Wayne Gretzky registered his final career NHL goal, which was also the 1,072nd goal of his professional career (NHL and WHA, regular season and playoffs combined), and he passed Gordie Howe to become the all-time leading goal scorer in professional hockey history. Gretzky's goal, which was scored with 2:07 remaining in regulation, was also the game-winning goal in the contest, as the Rangers defeated the New York Islanders, 3-1, at MSG.
  • Mar. 29, 2006 - Jaromir Jagr recorded four assists and registered his 110th point of the 2005-06 season to pass Jean Ratelle as the Rangers' single-season points leader in franchise history. The Rangers defeated the New York Islanders, 6-1, at Nassau Coliseum. Henrik Lundqvist also earned his 30th win of the 2005-06 season and established a single-season franchise record for wins by a rookie goaltender.

REMEMBERING 1993-94

Alexei Kovalev tallied two goals, including the game-winning goal with 36.8 seconds remaining in regulation, as the Rangers defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 4-3, on March 29, 1994 in Philadelphia. 

RANGERS VS. BLUES - 1993-94

The Rangers won both meetings against St. Louis during the 1993-94 season. Steve Larmer led the Rangers with four assists and four points in the two contests, while Esa Tikkanen (two goals, one assist) and Sergei Zubov (three assists) each registered three points in the season series.

-- New York Rangers

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Lundqvist makes 39 saves, Rangers beat Blues 2-1

Associated Press

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The St. Louis Blues threw everything they could at Henrik Lundqvist over the final two periods and it still wasn't enough.

Lundqvist made 39 saves and the New York Rangers got goals from Mats Zuccarello and Boo Nieves in a 2-1 victory over the Blues on Monday night.

"It was intense. As a goalie, when you feel the guys battle as hard as they do, you get excited," Lundqvist said. "You want to play even harder. You want to make that extra save. We worked so hard and we came up with the big plays at the end and at the right time. That wins you a lot of games in this league."

New York has won consecutive games for the first time since taking three in a row from Nov. 17-21. The Rangers' 4-3 victory at Nashville on Saturday night was their first on the road in regulation this season, and they followed it right up with another one.

The Rangers had allowed at least four goals in eight of their past 11 games before shutting down St. Louis. The Blues have 11 home losses in regulation this season, tying them with the Coyotes and Kings for most in the NHL.

"We're in a dry spot right now," center Jaden Schwartz said.

The only goal Lundqvist gave up came at 10:08 of the first period when the Blues went ahead 1-0. David Perron fed Ryan O'Reilly, who fired a slap shot from the left faceoff circle for his 15th goal.

O'Reilly has six points (three goals, three assists) in his last seven games against Rangers.

"We have to find a way to bury something," O'Reilly said. "We shot a lot of pucks. We had chances. It's simple. It wasn't good enough."

New York tied it on its third power-play chance in the first period. Zuccarello scored his fourth goal this season when his shot from the right faceoff circle nicked goalie Jake Allen's pad and trickled in at 19:40. It was the seventh time in their last eight games that the Blues have allowed a power-play goal.

The Rangers outshot the Blues 14-7 in the first period.

New York took a 2-1 lead at 3:11 of the second when Nieves scored on a backhand from the right faceoff circle. Ryan Strome and Kevin Shattenkirk were credited with assists.

Shattenkirk was back in the lineup for the first time since separating his left shoulder Dec. 10 at Tampa Bay. He missed seven games.

Shattenkirk returned to St. Louis for the first time since he was traded to Washington on Feb. 27, 2017. The defenseman played parts of seven seasons with the Blues. He signed a $26.6 million, four-year contract with the Rangers as a free agent in the summer of 2017.

St. Louis had three power-play chances in the second period and outshot New York 17-5 but failed to beat Lundqvist.

For the game, the Blues outshot the Rangers 40-23 - including 16-4 in the third.

"We didn't look like for the last 35 minutes we were skating or interested in confrontation, so you're going to pay the fiddler and we did," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "We got the two points and over an 82-game season you're going to have nights like this. You get two points and you get on the plane and head home and you don't complain about it."

The Blues finished 0 for 4 on the power play. St. Louis went 3 for 32 on the power play in December.

"We have to find a way to score more goals," center Brayden Schenn said. "We can all make better plays."

St. Louis pulled Allen, who had 21 saves with 2:35 remaining. The Blues attacked Lundqvist to no avail.

"That's Henrik being Henrik," Rangers forward Chris Kreider said. "When you've got a goalie like that he can cover up a lot of your mistakes and he definitely did tonight."

NOTES: The Blues fell to 1-16-2 when trailing after two periods. ... Blues C Robby Fabbri was activated from injured reserve and played. Fabbri missed 11 games with a shoulder injury. ... The Blues recalled 20-year-old goaltender Evan Fitzpatrick from their AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. Jordan Binnington, who has been backing up Allen for the past three weeks, was assigned to the Rampage. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound Fitzpatrick is in his first professional season. He has appeared in just two games, including one start, for the Rampage. Fitzpatrick was drafted by the Blues with the 59th overall pick in 2016. ... Rangers D Marc Staal played in his 799th career game. ... Rangers forward Filip Chytil, 19, was scratched for the first time in his career. ... Last season, the Blues won both meetings with the Rangers.

UP NEXT

Rangers: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

Blues: Host the Washington Capitals on Thursday.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

RANGERS AT BLUES POST GAME WRAP UP 3/17

LUCK O' THE IRISH NOT WITH RANGERS


FALL IN OVERTIME TO BLUES 4-3

Tonight the Rangers lost their first game of the season when heading into the tird period with the lead.

Down 1-0 after the first the Rangers who had been outshot 16-2 struck first n the second period just 42 seconds in when Jesper Fast fired one from the sideboards off Mika Zibanejad's hip and past Jake Allen to tie the game 1-1. The tie was short lived though when St Louis retook the lead 2-1 just under 2 minutes later. But the Rangers batted back, Mats Zuccarello dug in front of the Blues' net to tie the game 2-2. The Rangers were able to finlly battle forward and take the lead off a beautiful backskating backhand feed across the goalmouth by Chris Kreider to Mika Zibanejad for the power play goal and the 3-2 lead.

The Rangers could not hold St Louis back in the third while shorthanded and the Blues were able to tie the game 3-3 on their own power play and take the game to overtime.

Just over a minute into the 3 on 3 period after Jake Allen robbed Chris Kreider at the doorstep, Brayden Schenn beat Rangers defenseman John Gilmour along the boards and rifled one past Alexandar Georgiev for the win.

Zibanejad picked up his 4th goal in two games and took the team lead with 23 on the season, Kreider picked up his 5th point in the last two games and Neal Pionk picked up another assits to make it 10 points in his first 18 games.

FINAL GAME STATS


RANGERS 3 BLUES 4
FINAL OVERTIME

GOALIES:
NYR Alexandar Georgiev 29 SV
STL Jake Allen 17 SV

SOG: NYR 20 STL 33
PPO: NYR 1/2 STL 1/3
PIM: NYR 11 STL 9
FO WINS: NYR 31 STL 34
HITS: NYR 20 STL 22
TAKEAWAYS: NYR 7 STL 10
GIVEAWAYS: NYR 4 STL 4

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Period
15:49 A. Pietrangelo (13) Assists: V. Sobotka, T Thompson 0-1

2nd Period
0:42 M. Zibanejad (22) Assists: J. Fast, C. Kreider 1-1
2:24 N. Soshnikov (1) Assists: C. Gunnarsson, C Thorburn 1-2
12:07 M. Zuccarello (15) Assists: K. Hayes, N Pionk 2-2
14:34 M. Zibanejad (23) (PPG) Assists: C. Kreider. P. Buchnevich 3-2

3rd Period
5:15 A. Pietrangelo (14) (PPG) Assists: V. Dunn, J Schwartz 3-3

Overtime
1:02    B. Schenn (25) Assists: A. Pietrangelo, V Sobotka 3-4


PENALTY SUMMARY
1st Period
2:11 C. Thorburn: 5:00 Fighting
2:11 C. McLeod: 5:00 Fighting
10:22 N. Pionk: 2:00 Delay of Game
17:36 J. Gilmour: 2:00 Holding

2nd Period
13:11 C. Thorburn: 2:00 Tripping
19:16 Blues: 2:00 Too Many Men on the Ice
(Served by P. Berglund)

3rd Period
3:38 P. Carey: 2:00 Slashing

Overtime
No Penalties

New York Rangers
Players    G    A    +/-    SOG    PIM
M. Staal    0    0    1    2    0
C. McLeod    0    0    -1    0    5
D. Desharnais    0    0    0    0    0
R. Spooner    0    0    0    0    0
M. Zuccarello    1    0    -1    1    0
K. Hayes    0    1    -1    2    0
C. Kreider    0    2    1    1    0
P. Carey    0    0    0    1    2
V. Namestnikov    0    0    -1    2    0
M. Zibanejad    2    0    1    2    0
R. Sproul    0    0    -1    0    0
R. O'Gara    0    0    0    0    0
J. Fast    0    1    1    1    0
B. Skjei    0    0    -1    2    0
P. Buchnevich    0    1    -1    1    0
J. Gilmour    0    0    -1    3    2
J. Vesey    0    0    0    0    0
N. Pionk    0    1    1    2    2
Goalies    GA    SV    SV%   
A. Georgiev    4    29    .879   

St Louis Blues
Players    G    A    +/-    SOG    PIM
C. Thorburn    0    1    1    2    7
K. Brodziak    0    0    -1    1    0
A. Steen    0    0    -1    2    0
P. Berglund    0    0    -1    4    0
V. Sobotka    0    2    1    1    0
A. Pietrangelo    2    1    1    4    0
R. Bortuzzo    0    0    0    0    0
C. Gunnarsson    0    1    1    0    0
B. Schenn    1    0    0    4    0
J. Schwartz    0    1    0    2    0
V. Tarasenko    0    0    0    1    0
J. Edmundson    0    0    0    2    0
D. Jaskin    0    0    0    1    0
C. Parayko    0    0    -1    4    0
I. Barbashev    0    0    1    0    0
N. Soshnikov    1    0    1    3    0
V. Dunn    0    1    0    1    0
T. Thompson    0    1    1    1    0
Goalies    GA    SV    SV%   
J. Allen    3    17    .850