NYR TODAY TUES. 4/19: NYR GAME DAY, PROSPECTS, ALUMNI

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS GAME 3
BEST OF 7 SERIES TIED 1-1
@RNYRF Staff Report
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS @ NEW YORK RANGERS
TONIGHT 7:00 PM, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, TV; MSG, USA NETWORK

TEAM LEADERS
GOALS: NYR Derek Stepan 2, PIT Patric Hornqvist 3
ASSISTS: NYR J.T. Miller, J.T. Miller 3, PIT Nick Bonino 3
POINTS: NYR Derick Brassard 4, PIT Patric Hornqvist
GAA: NYR Henrik Lundqvist 2.25, PIT Jeff Zatkoff 3.08
SV%: NYR Henrik Lundqvist .929, PIT Jeff Zatkoff .908

RANGERS TEAM NOTES: The New York Rangers come into Game 3 having defeated the Penguins in their last 2 out of 3 playoff meetings at Madison Square Garden in last year's 2015 ECQF by the score of 2-1 in both games. In game 1 last year New York defeated Pittsburgh in regulation on first period goals by Derick Brassard and Ryan McDonagh. In Game 2 the Rangers lost 4-3 to the Pens In Game 5 where the Rangers struck first on a goal by Derek Stepan in the first period. The Rangers game winning goal in overtime coming off the stick of Carl Hagelin. Henrik Lundqvist garnered both wins with 24 saves in game 1 and 37 in game 5.

NYR NOTES:
Looks as though Rangers might be using same lineup as Game 2 even though Captain Ryan McDonagh was cleared for contact and took full part in practice drills yesterday. McDonagh's return to the lineup tonight was called doubtful by Head Coach Alain Vigneault but he did comment that stranger things have happened. Vigneault mentioned that he is hopeful for McDonagh to return for Game 4 on Thursday.
Henrik Lundqvist will once again get the start in net for the Rangers. Defenseman Raphael Diaz practiced with the team on Monday and could be available to play in Game 3. So it looks as though the defense will be a game time decision for Vigneault. The Rangers will look to continue their physical play having posted 107 hits against Pittsburgh in the the first 2 games of the series.

NEW YORK RANGERS PROJECTED LINE UP
FORWARDS
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello
J.T. Miller-Derick Brassard-Rick Nash
Eric Staal-Kevin Hayes-Jesper Fast
Tanner Glass-Dominic Moore-Viktor Stalberg
DEFENSE
Marc Staal-Kevin Klein
Keith Yandle-Dylan McIlrath
Brady Skjei-Dan Boyle
GOAL
Henrik Lundqvist
BACKUP
Antti Raanta
SCRATCHES
Ryan McDonagh, Raphael Diaz, Oscar Lindberg, Marek Hrivik, Magnus Hellberg
INJURED
Dan Girardi (undisclosed injury)

RANGERS PROSPECTS UPDATE
The Hartford Wolf Pack ended their 2015-2016 campaign in 6th Place of the AHL Eastern Conference's Atlantic Division missing the post season, posting a record of 41-32-3 in 76 games.
Center Chad Nehring lead the scoring for the Pack with 22 goals, 26 assists for 48 points followed by Jayson Megna 44 points, Marek Hrivik 41 points, Nick Jensen 37 points and Matt Bodie rounding out the top 5 with 36. Goalie Magnus Hellberg led the Pack in games played posting a 30-20-3 record in 53 games. Jeff Malcom 7-5-2 and Mackenzie Skapski 4-7-0 split the remaining games.

In WHL Action 2015 2nd round pick Ryan Gropp helped his Seattle Thunderbirds advance to the Western Conference Final with 2 goals and an assist in the 2 games he played during the series. Gropp finished the regular season with 34 goals, 36 assists for 70 points and was a plus 10.

2015 3rd round pick Defenseman Sergey Zborovsky has 5 assists in his postseason with Regina going into their game 7 with Regina.

Goaltending Prospect Brandon Halverson's Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds were eliminated this weekend by the Erie Otters in the OHL's second-round. Halverson, the Rangers 2nd round pick in 2014 is expected to turn Pro next season. Halverson finished the regular season with a record of 20-17-4 with a GAA of 3.00 and a save % of .907 in 43 games.

Ryan Mantha a 2014 Rangers draft pick and the Niagara IceDogs advanced to their conference final. Mantha has 2 goals and 3 assists in 9 playoff games so far.

This past weekend the Rangers signed free agent forward Malte Stromwall to an entry level contract. Stromwall was teammates with Rangers 2015 3rd round pick Robin Kovacs.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 4/19 
Jarkko Immonen C (2005-2007)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY APRIL 19
2013: The Rangers score five goals in 2:58 and defeat the Buffalo Sabres, 8-4. Brad Richards scores his first NHL hat trick.

NYR TODAY SATURDAY 4/16: GAME DAY ECQF GM 2

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS GAME 2

NEW YORK RANGERS @ PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Today 3:00 PM TV: NBC, CBC
@RNYRF Staff Report
Penguins lead series 1-0

Team Leaders
GOALS: NYR Derek Stepan 2, PIT Patric Hornqvist 3
POINTS: NYR Derek Stepna 2, PIT Patric Hornqvist 4
ASSISTS: NYR Nash 1, Zuccarello 1, Brassard 1, Boyle 1, PIT Sidney Crosby 2

RANGERS TEAM NOTES: Henrik Lundqvist participated in full team practice yesterday in the starters net and was said to look like his old self and sharp. Lundqvist status will be a game time decision according to Coach Vigneault. Recent emergency call up Magnus Hellberg was on the bench but not in uniform but did not practice until the end. Both defenseman Dan Girardi and Captain Ryan McDonagh did not participate. Dylan McIlrath filled in for Girardi paired with Keith Yandle, Brady Skjei in for McDonagh paired with Brian Boyle. McDonagh had previously missed the final game of the season and the first game vs Pittsburgh with a hand injury. Giardi who played in game one had previously missed the final 3 games with an upper body injury will not play in game 2. Dylan McIlrath is not a lock for the lineup as the Rangers may recall another defenseman from Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL. Recently returning to the Pack Lineup Raphael Diaz may be the recall on defense. Head coach Alain Vigneault tweaked his top 3 lines switching Rick Nash to the 2nd line with Derick Brassard and J.T. Miller, Mats Zuccarello shifted to the first line with Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider. These line pairs were seen during the 3rd period of game one as well as part time during the regular season. Eric Staal was shifted to the wing on the 3rd line with Kevin Hayes centering and Jesper Fast on the opposite side. The fourth line remained intact with Dominic Moore centering Tanner Glass and Viktor Stalberg.

Rangers Probable Lineup (Barring Call Ups)
Forwards:
Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello
Miller-Brassard-Nash
E Staal-Hayes-Fast
Glass-Moore-Stalberg
Defense Pairs:
M Staal-Klein
Yandle-McIlrath
Skjei-Boyle
Starting Goalie:
Lundqvist (game time decision)
Back Up Goaltender:
Raanta (game time decision)
Scratches:
Magnus Hellberg (game time decision), Marek Hrivik
Injured:
Girardi (upper & lower body), McDonagh (hand)

NYR Alumni Birthdays 4/16
Harry York C (1997-1999)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY APRIL 16
1992: Brian Leetch becomes just the fifth defenseman in NHL history to record 100 points in a season. Leetch tallies a goal and three assists in the final game of the 1991-92 season to finish with 102 points.

OFFICIAL NYR VIEWING PARTY
Today: Game Start 3:00 PM, Empire City Casino, 810 Yonkers Ave., Yonkers, NY 10704 at Dan Rooney's Sports Pub......Meet NY Rangers Alumnus Ron Greschner!

NYR TODAY WEDNESDAY 4/13: GAME DAY PREVIEW, ALUNI BIRTHDAYS, TDINYRH

EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER FINALS GAME 1

NEW YORK RANGERS @ PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Tonight 8:00 PM TV: MSG Network, USA Network
@RNYRF Staff Report
SEASON SERIES: The Rangers are 1 & 3 vs Pittsburgh during the 4 regular season meetings Having won in Pittsburgh 3-0 on February 2nd but Having dropped the last 3 games to the Pens, March 3rd again in Pittsburgh 4-1 and dropping both games at Madison Square Garden 3-1 on March 13th and an overtime loss on March 27th 3-2.
The last playoff meeting between the 2 teams was last season in the first round with the Rnagers defeating the Penguins 4 games to 1 in the best of 7 series.

RANGERS TEAM NOTES: The Rangers will be without their Captain Ryan McDonagh to start the first round vs the Pens due to an undisclosed hand injury. McDonagh may see action sometime in the Pittsburgh series according to Coach Alain Vigneault. Henrik Lundqvist who had to leave practice twice on Monday due to illness was a full participant yesterday at the final practice before today's game, Lundqvist told reporters he is ready to go versus the Penguins. Dan Girardi also took drills yesterday for the second day in a row and will be in the lineup tonight. The only question mark for the Rangers will be who replaces Ryan McDonagh. Both Rookie D-Men, Dylan McIlrath and Brady Skjei are the options for Vigneault but, he has stated he has not yet come to a decision on who will take the 6th spot tonight.

2015-2016 TEAM LEADERS

NEW YORK RANGERS
GOALS: Derick Brassard 27
ASSISTS: Keith Yandle 42
POINTS: Mats Zuccarello 61

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
GOALS: Sidney Crosby 36
ASSISTS: Kris Letang 51
POINTS: Sidney Crosby 85

NYR Alumni Birthdays 4/13 
Arron Asham RW (2012-2014) Hub Mackey LW (1942-1943)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY APRIL 13
1933: The Rangers win their second Stanley Cup in franchise history, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs, 1-0, in Game 4. Rangers captain Bill Cook scores 7:33 into overtime to win the game.

1940: The Rangers win their third Stanley Cup in franchise history, beating Toronto, 3-2, in Game 6. Bryan Hextall, Sr., scores the series winner in overtime.

NYR TODAY THURSDAY 4/7: NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (44-26-9) @ NEW YORK RANGERS (45-26-9)

TONIGHT 7:00 PM TV: MSG, MSG+, NHL.TV
@RNYRF Staff Report
SEASON SERIES: Tonight will be the final meeting between the Rangers and Islanders this season. The teams are separated by 2 points in the standings. Coming into tonight's game the Islanders have won all 3 games against the Rangers this season, Dec 2: 2-1, Jan. 14: 3-1 and Mar. 6 6-4. Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist is 0-1-1 with a 1.46 GAA & .956 SV% vs the Isles this season.

RANGERS TEAM NOTES: Heading into tonight's game the Rangers sit in 3rd place in the Metropolitan Division trailing 2nd place Pittsburgh by 3 points and 2 points ahead of their opponent tonight the New York Islanders. Already without Captain Ryan McDonagh the Rangers might find themselves without defenseman Dan Girardi. Girardi was hit from behind in the final minute of Tuesday's game vs Tampa Bay by former Rangers teammate Brian Boyle and had to be helped off the ice. At time of this posting no update on Girardi's condition has been given by the Rangers. The Rangers will hold practice this morning at MSG and there should be updates following.

RANGERS VS ISLANDERS TEAM LEADERS
GOALS: NYR Brassard 27, NYI Tavares 31
ASSISTS: NYR Yandle 41, NYI Okposo 40
HITS: NYR Glass 221, NYI Martin 365
SHOTS: NYR Stepan 190, NYI Tavares 244


NYR Alumni Birthdays 4/7 
Pascal Dupuis LW (2006-2007) Alexander Karpovtsev D (1993-1998) Dan McCarthy LW (1980-1981)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY APRIL 7
1928: Rangers head coach Lester Patrick puts himself in net following an injury to goaltender Lorne Chabot in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. Patrick would lead the Rangers to a 2-1 win over the Montreal Maroons on a Frank Boucher game-winner in overtime.

1991: Mike Richter records the first playoff shutout of his NHL career, a 6-0 win over Washington of Game 3 of the Patrick Division Semifinals.

1993: Mark Messier skates in the 1,000th game of his NHL career.

NYR TODAY TUESDAY 4/5: RNYRF RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (44-26-9) vs TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (45-29-5) 

TONIGHT 7:30 PM TV: MSG, NBCSN
RANGERS LOOK TO PICK UP GROUND ON PENS TONIGHT VS TAMPA BAY
@RNYRF Staff Report
SEASON SERIES: Facing off for the 3rd and final time of the season tonight and the first on Garden Ice, the Rangers and Lightning have split the season series with a win. The Rangers lost to the Lightning on November 19th, a 2-1 final and won the second meeting 5-2 on December 30th both contests played in Tampa Bay. Dominic Moore leads the Rangers in scoring vs Tampa with 2 goals and an assist.

RANGERS TEAM NOTES: Coming off the road win in Columbus the Rangers return home for their final 3 games of the regular season. Ryan McDonagh's status for tonight's game is questionable after blocking a shot in the first period of last night's game with his hand or arm. McDonagh will be re-evaluated today and there was mention of a recall from AHL Hartford which doesn't bode well for the Rangers or McDonagh. he Rangers are look to extend their winning streak to 2 games tonight trailing Pittsburgh in the standings for second place by 3 points.

RANGERS VS COLUMBUS TEAM LEADERS
GOALS: NYR Brassard 27 --- TBL Stamkos 36
ASSISTS: NYR Yandle 40 --- TBL Hedman 37
SHOTS: NYR Stepan 186 --- TBL Stamkos 216
HITS: NYR Glass 217 --- TBL Callahan 164


NYR Alumni Birthday 4/5 
John Hanna D (1958-1961)


TODAY IN NYR HISTORY APRIL 5
1970: The Rangers take a record 65 shots on goal in a 9-5 win over Detroit at MSG.

2013: Henrik Lundqvist becomes the fourth Rangers goaltender to appear in 500 regular season games.

NYR TODAY MONDAY 4/4: RNYRF RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (43-26-9) @ COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (31-39-8)

TONIGHT 7:00 PM TV: MSG
RANGERS LOOK TO REBOUND VS BLUE JACKETS, CLINCH PLAYOFF BERTH
@RNYRF Staff Report

SEASON SERIES: The Rangers have won all 3 Meetings between the 2 teams this season. In Columbus on October 9th the Rangers defeated the Blue Jackets 4-2 scoring 3 goals in 1:17 during the 3rd period for the victory. In their 2nd meeting at MSG Henrik Lundqvist recorded 37 saves and rookie Oscar Lindberg scored twice in a 5-2 victory. In the last meeting on February 29, Eric Staal's Rangers debut, Derek Stepan scored the game winning goal shorthanded with under 3 minutes remaining to give the Rangers the 2-1 win.

RANGERS TEAM NOTES: Losing 3 straight games 0-2-1 the Rangers look to clinch a playoff spot tonight in Columbus after losing to Buffalo 4-3 on Sunday at home. Goaltender Henrik Lundqvist looks to rebound as well since being pulled from Sunday's contest after surrendering 3 goals on 9 shots. The Rangers hopes rely on ending the season on a strong point with a win on the road where they have earned at least one point in their last 6 games 4-2-2 before returning back to home ice for the 3 remaining regular season games.


RANGERS VS COLUMBUS TEAM LEADERS
GOALS: NYR Brassard 27 --- CBJ Jenner 30
ASSISTS: NYR Yandle 40 --- CBJ Johansen 42
SHOTS: NYR Stepan 184 --- CBJ Saad 224
HITS: NYR Glass 217 --- CBJ Dubinsky 221

NYR Alumni Birthday 4/4 
Kevin Weekes G (2005-2007)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY APRIL 4
1993: John Vanbiesbrouck  becomes the fourth goalie to win 200 games as a Rangers following a 4-0 win over the Capitals.

2002: Pavel Bure records his second consecutive multi-goal game, tallying two goals in a 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.

2011: The Rangers overcome a three-goal deficit to beat the Bruins, 5-3, at MSG to keep their playoff hopes alive.

NYR TODAY SATURDAY APRIL 2: RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

BUFFALO SABRES (32-35-11) @ NEW YORK RANGERS (43-25-9)

TONIGHT 7:00 PM TV: MSG, MSG-B, BELL TV, NHL.TV
Rangers look to clinch Playoff Berth in Front of Home Crowd Against Sabres
@RNYRF Staff Report
SEASON SERIES: The Rangers have defeated Buffalo in 2 previous Meetings this season, 6-3 at Madison Square Garden on January 25th and 4-2 in Buffalo on March 8th. Rangers Derick Brassard has 3 goals and 4 assists vs Buffalo, Mats Zuccarello 2 goals and 2 assists and Jesper Fast a goal and 2 assists in the 2 previous meetings. Tonight is the final meeting of the season between the two teams.

RANGERS TEAM NOTES: Coming off a disappointing 4-3 loss in Carolina and their 2nd loss in a row, the Rangers look to get back on track tonight in front of the home crowd at MSG. Mats Zuccarello has been close to a point per game with 23 points in the last 27 games (7 goals, 16 assists) while Center Derek Stepan has tallied 2 goals and 6 assists in the last 5 games. Keith Yandle continues to lead the team in assists tallying his 40 versus Carolina on Thursday. The Rangers will be looking to Rick Nash and Chris Kreider to continue their recent resurgence. Nash has 3 goals in his last 5 games while Kreider has picked up 2 goals and an assist in his last 3. This week rookie D-man Dylan McIlrath has been cleared to play in games but has yet to be inserted into the lineup. Henrik Lundqvist is expected to get the start against Buffalo tonight.

Team Leaders

Goals

Mcginn 22

Brassard 27

Shots

Kane 271

Stepan 180

Hits

Deslauriers 197

Glass 212

Assists

O`Reilly 38

Yandle 40

NYR Alumni Birthdays 4/2 

Aggie Kukulowicz (1952-1954)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY APRIL 2
1927: The Rangers play their first playoff game in franchise history in a two-game total goals series against the Bruins. The game ends in a 0-0 tie.

1927: Lorne Chabot of the Rangers becomes the first rookie goalie in NHL history to earn a shutout in his playoff debut.

1972: Vic Hadfield becomes the first Ranger to score 50 goals in a season, scoring twice on the season's final day in a 6-5 loss to Montreal.

NYR TODAY THURSDAY MARCH 31: RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (43-24-9) @ CAROLINA HURRICANES (33-28-16)

TONIGHT 7:00 PM TV: MSG, NHL.TV
Season series: Henrik Lundqvist made 33 saves for his first shutout of the season and the 56th of his NHL career to help the New York Rangers defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 on Nov. 10. Goals from Mats Zuccarello, Oscar Lindberg, Chris Kreider and Derick Brassard paced the Rangers to a 4-3 victory on Nov. 30. Two goals from J.T. Miller and Lundqvist's 30 saves sparked New York to a 4-1 win on Jan. 22. The Rangers have won 14 of their past 15 games against the Hurricanes.

Rangers team scope: New York can clinch a Stanley Cup Playoff berth with a regulation or overtime win against Carolina. "You want to clinch as quickly as you can," defenseman Marc Staal told BlueshirtsUnited. "It's a great feeling to have. We've been building on this the last month to get where we wanted to be." Forward Eric Staal, who spent parts of 12 seasons with the Hurricanes, will play his first game in Carolina since the Rangers acquired him on Feb. 28. "I think it'll be a lot of unique, different emotions just in general because of being there," Staal said Tuesday, "and being there so long playing in that building for the home team and now being on the opposing side." Staal, who scored twice in the Rangers' 3-2 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, did not practice Wednesday because he traveled to Carolina to be with his family. Defenseman Dylan McIlrath (knee) rotated in the defensive pairs and has been medically cleared to play but will likely be a healthy scratch.

Team Leaders

Goals

Brassard 27

Skinner 26

Shots

Stepan 176

Skinner 239

Hits

Glass 210

Staal 156

Assists

Yandle 39

Lindholm 27

NYR Alumni Birthdays 3/31 

Brendan Bell D (2011-2012) Pavel Bure RW (2002-2003) Bill Hicke RW (1964-1967) Fern Perreault LW (1947-1950)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY MARCH 31
2004: Mark Messier scores his 694th and final NHL goal in his last game, a 4-3 win over Buffalo at Madison Square Garden.