NYR TODAY FRI. 3/4

RANGERS GAME DAY

NEW YORK RANGERS (37-21-6) at WASHINGTON CAPITALS (47-12-4)
TONIGHT 7:00 PM, MSG2, NHLN

Season series: The Washington Capitals have won three of four games against the New York Rangers. New York forwards Derick Brassard, Kevin Hayes, Oscar Lindberg and defenseman Kevin Klein each had a goal and an assist in a 5-2 win on Nov. 3. Washington won the next three games by a combined score of 16-8. Forward Justin Williams had a hat trick in a 5-2 win on Jan. 17 and leads all scorers with six goals and nine points. Alex Ovechkin has five goals. Rangers forward Chris Kreider has three goals.

Rangers team scope: Goalie Henrik Lundqvist was injured in the second period of a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday but is expected to play. Coach Alain Vigneault said Lundqvist had neck spasms after a collision with defenseman Ryan McDonagh but didn't think it was serious. "[Lundqvist] wasn't feeling right at that time, so he decided to stay in but couldn't finish the game," Vigneault said. "… I didn't know [Lundqvist was hurt]. ... We knew that when we came in from the second (period) that he was having issues with his neck there." New York has not lost two straight games since Dec. 18-20. It allowed four goals Thursday after allowing four combined during a three-game winning streak prior to the loss. "We've got to get some rest tonight, rebound. We have a big game tomorrow," forward Eric Staal told Blueshirts United.

Team Leaders

Goals

Brassard 22

Ovechkin 41

Shots

Nash 149

Ovechkin 318

Hits

Glass 161

Wilson 197

Assists

Yandle 31

Kuznetsov 46

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY MARCH 4
1961: Jean Ratelle makes his NHL debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

1987: Tomas Sandstrom scores three goals against the Islanders to set a Rangers single season record with four hat tricks.

NEW YORK RANGERS @ PITTSBURGH PENGUINS POST GAME RECAP

Rangers Beaten 4-1 By Penguins In Pittsburgh

A late second-period meltdown cost the Rangers dearly Thursday night in a 4-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins at CONSOL Energy Center. Pittsburgh scored three goals in less than two minutes to wipe out a 1-0 Rangers lead and turn the game permanently in its favor.
The loss snapped the Rangers three-game winning streak and was a rough start to a difficult three-games-in-four-nights stretch which continues Friday night in Washington with a clash against the league-leading Capitals and concludes Sunday at Madison Square Garden against the Islanders.
The two teams played scoreless hockey for nearly 37 minutes before Chris Kreider scored off the rush to give the Rangers a 1-0 lead at 16:50 of the second period. However instead of seizing the momentum, the Rangers proceeded to surrender three goals in a span of one minute 39 seconds and stunningly arrive at the second intermission trailing by the score of 3-1.
Up until that point the game had been an impressive goaltending duel between Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury. Lundqvist, in particular, made several sensational stops, including a quick dart from left to right to deny Nick Bonino on a two-on-one rush 11:20 into the first period and a lightning-fast pad save on former teammate Carl Hagelin's trunaround shot from the slot at 4:58 of the second.
Shortly after that save on Hagelin, Lundqvist lost his temper with the officials following a collision in his crease in which he lost his stick and was knocked to the ice by the combination of teammate Ryan McDonagh and Pittsburgh's Patric Hornqvist. With no penalty called play resumed as the Penguins reentered the Rangers zone, Lundqvist turned around, lifted the net off its stancions and shoved it hard against the back boards.
Lundqvist was assessed a delay of game penalty and was fortunate not to be penalized more as he chased after the referees to argue his case while being booed loudly by the Penguins fans.
To his credit Lundqvist settled down, helped the Rangers kill off the Penguins power play and continued to perform at a high level.
Kreider then opened the scoring, beating Fleury with a short side shot from left wing. His 14th goal of the season--and third in the past four games--was started by McDonagh's lone breakout pass from his end of the rink to Mats Zuccarello at the Penguins blue line. Zuccarello then skated in, dished the puck to his left, and Kreider deftly managed to kick the puck out of his skates and to his stick before snapping his shot into the back of the net.
Less than a minute later a great individual effort by Sidney Crosby tied the game, 1-1. Off a bad bounce on a dump in, Crosby was able to chip a pass/shot from behind the goal line off of Lundqvist, with the puck just able to end up in the net before the Rangers netminder could yank it back out at 17:47.
With the crowd on its feet roaring and taunting Lundqvist, the Penguins struck again 21 seconds later to grab a 2-1 lead. Evgeni Malkin accepted a pass from Chris Kunitz and zipped a right wing shot far side past Lundqvist at 18:08 and the Rangers were back on their heels and reeling.
It only got worse when Keith Yandle was whistled for an interference penalty at 18:43 and the Penguins struck for a power play goal with 34 seconds remaining before intermission. Patric Hornqvist was credited with the goal, as Malkin earned one of the assists to give him two points on the night.
When the third period started Antti Raanta was between the pipes for New York, and Lundqvist, who stopped 19 of the 22 shots he faced in two periods of play, was back in the dressing room and not on the bench.
Raanta saw little action as the Penguins settled into more of a defensive posture with a two-goal lead in the final period of play. Phil Kessel scored an empty net goal to close out the scoring with 2:04 remaining in regulation.
New York welcomed Jesper Fast back in the lineup Thursday. He had missed Monday's 2-1 win over Columbus and Wednesday's practice with the flu, but was able to play Thursday. He skated on a line with J.T. Miller and Derick Brassard, and came out strong with three hits in the first period.
However defenseman Marc Staal was unable to play because he came down with a case of the flu. Dylan McIlrath took his spot in the lineup and was a physical presence, credited with a team-high eight hits, including a monster check that flattened Tom Kuhnhackl by the Rangers bench just 2:10 into the game.

Henrik LundqvistRyan McDonaghChris KreiderMats ZuccarelloJesper FastDylan McIlrathAntti Raanta

Rangers Vs Penguins March 3rd 2016

Mar 3 - 9:31pm by JimCerny 

 FINAL STATS

NEW YORK RANGERS 1 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 4
SOG: NYR 28 PIT 26
Scoring Summary
1st Period
NONE
2nd Period
16:50    NYR    Chris Kreider (14) Wrist shot - ASST: Mats Zuccarello (27), Ryan McDonagh (21)     1 - 0 NYR
17:47    PIT    Sidney Crosby (26) Wrist shot - ASST: Carl Hagelin (17), Kris Letang (38)     1 - 1 Tie
18:08    PIT    Evgeni Malkin (25) Wrist shot - ASST: Chris Kunitz (20), Trevor Daley (16)     2 - 1 PIT
19:26    PIT    PPG - Patric Hornqvist (17) Tip-in - ASST: Phil Kessel (22), Evgeni Malkin (28)     3 - 1 PIT
3rd Period
17:56    PIT    EN - Phil Kessel (20) Wrist shot - ASST: Evgeni Malkin (29)     4 - 1 PIT
Penalty Summary
1st Period
05:55    NYR    Dominic Moore  Hooking  - 2 min against  Evgeni Malkin
2nd Period
06:17    NYR    Henrik Lundqvist served by Dylan McIlrath  Delay of game  - 2 min
07:26    PIT    Phil Kessel  Slashing  - 2 min against  Viktor Stalberg
14:45    PIT    Sidney Crosby  Holding  - 2 min against  Eric Staal
18:43    NYR    Keith Yandle  Interference  - 2 min against  Patric Hornqvist
3rd Period
NONE
Team Stats
Category    NYR    PIT
Power Plays    0/2    1/3
Hits    37    24
Faceoff Wins    27    24
Giveaways    4    8
Takeaways    4    6
Blocked Shots    12    12
Penalty Minutes    6    4

NEXT GAME:

The New York Rangers return to action tomorrow night Friday March 4th at 7:00 PM in Washington facing the league leading Capitals. 

New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins Pregame Notes and What to Watch For

Rangers vs. Penguins 3.3.16: Pregame Notes

NEW YORK RANGERS at PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Thursday, Mar. 3, 2016, 7:00 p.m. ET

CONSOL Energy Center – Pittsburgh, PA

Rangers: 37-20-6 (80 pts)

Penguins: 32-22-8 (72 pts) 

TONIGHT'S GAME

The Rangers play their 64th game of the 2015-16 season and begin a back-to-back set tonight, Mar. 3, against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Metropolitan Division matchup at CONSOL Energy Center (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts are in second place in the Metropolitan Division. The Rangers enter the contest with a three-game winning streak. New York has won five of its last six games (5-1-0), 10 of its last 13 games (10-2-1), 11 of its last 15 games (11-3-1), and 13 of its last 18 games (13-4-1). The Rangers have earned at least one point in 20 of their last 28 games (18-8-2), including 19 of their last 26 games (17-7-2) and 18 of their last 24 games (16-6-2). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a 37-20-6 record this season (80 points). 

RANGERS VS. PENGUINS

• All-Time: 124-105-23-11 (69-50-9-4 at home; 55-55-14-7 on the road) 
• 2015-16: Tonight's game is the second of four meetings between the Rangers and Penguins, and the second of two meetings between the two teams in Pittsburgh. The Rangers have posted a 1-0-0 record (0-0-0 at home; 1-0-0 on the road) against Pittsburgh. The Rangers defeated the Penguins, 3-0, in the only meeting between the two teams on Feb. 10 in Pittsburgh. Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 34 shots he faced to earn a win and a shutout, and Kevin Hayes tallied the game-winning goal in the contest. Following tonight's game, the Rangers and Penguins will face off against each other on the following dates: Mar. 13 (at MSG), Mar. 27 (at MSG).
• The Rangers enter the contest with a six-game point streak against Pittsburgh (5-0-1), including a three-game winning streak. The six-game point streak dates back to Feb. 7, 2014.
• The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 10 of their last 11 contests against the Penguins, dating back to Apr. 3, 2013 (7-1-3).

RANGERS-PENGUINS CONNECTIONS

• Glen Sather played parts of two seasons with the Penguins (1969-70 - 1970-71) and was acquired by the Rangers from Pittsburgh on Jan. 26, 1971.
• Penguins Head Coach Mike Sullivan served as an Assistant Coach with the Rangers for four seasons (2009-10 - 2012-13). Sullivan was also selected by the Rangers in the fourth round (69th overall) of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft.
• Ulf Samuelsson played parts of five seasons with the Penguins (1990-91 - 1994-95) and won the Stanley Cup twice with Pittsburgh (1990-91 and 1991-92). Samuelsson was acquired by the Rangers from Pittsburgh on Aug. 31, 1995.
• Tanner Glass played two seasons with Pittsburgh (2012-13 - 2013-14).
• Dominic Moore played part of one season with the Penguins (2006-07).
• The Penguins list two former Rangers on their roster: Matt Cullen (2006-07) and Carl Hagelin (2011-12 - 2014-15).

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. PENGUINS

• Henrik Lundqvist - 56 GP, 29-19-8, 2.36 GAA, .918 SV%, 4 SO - Lundqvist has posted a 7-1-3 record, along with a 1.84 GAA, a .939 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 11 appearances against Pittsburgh (dating back to Apr. 3, 2013).
• Eric Staal - 46 GP, 19-27-46 - Staal has tallied a point in 10 of his last 15 games against the Penguins, recording 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in those contests.
• Derick Brassard - 15 GP, 5-11-16 - Brassard has registered a point in eight of his last nine contests against Pittsburgh (four goals, five assists). Since he made his Rangers debut on Apr. 3, 2013 vs. Pittsburgh, Brassard has registered 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 11 games against the Penguins. Including playoff games, he has tallied at least one point in 10 of his last 13 games against Pittsburgh, dating back to Game 5 of the Second Round in the 2014 Playoffs.
• Mats Zuccarello - 15 GP, 3-9-12 - Zuccarello has recorded a point in seven of his last nine games against the Penguins (three goals, six assists).

WINNING WAYS

The Rangers are tied for second in the NHL in wins (14) and points (29) since Jan. 16 (14-5-1 record in their last 20 games). The Rangers lead Eastern Conference teams in points and are tied for first among Eastern Conference teams in wins over the span. The Blueshirts have not lost two consecutive games (regulation and OT losses included) since Dec. 17 - Dec. 20, 2015.

HIGH FIVE

The Rangers rank second in the NHL in goal differential at 5-on-5 in 2015-16 (plus-36; 126-90). 

ROAD WARRIORS

The Blueshirts have won five of their last six road games (5-1-0), including each of their last two road contests. New York leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (67).

ROAD WINS IN A THREE-SEASON SPAN IN RANGERS HISTORY
SEASONS	WINS
1. 2009-10 - 2011-12	68
2. 2013-14 - 2015-16	67

GOALS GALORE

The Blueshirts are one of four NHL teams that have eight players who have tallied at least 11 goals in 2015-16 (along with Florida, Ottawa, and Washington). The Rangers rank sixth in the NHL in goals per game this season (2.81).

TWO GOOD

The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of the last 13 games, in 17 of the last 28 games, and in 37 games this season. New York has posted a 32-3-2 record when allowing two goals or fewer in 2015-16.

THIRD PERIOD IS THE CHARM

The Rangers have tallied at least one goal in the third period in 13 of their last 15 games, including two or more goals in the third period in eight of those contests (23 goals in the third period over the span). New York ranks third in the NHL in third period goals this season (74).

ON POINT

At least one Rangers defenseman has registered a point on eight of the team's last 10 goals, dating back to Feb. 21 vs. Detroit. Blueshirts defensemen have registered 126 points (30 goals, 96 assists) in 2015-16 and have tallied 69 points (18 goals, 51 assists) over the last 34 games.

TAKING THE METRO

The Rangers have earned at least one point in 16 of 22 games against Metropolitan Division opponents this season (12-6-4).

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in 17 of his last 24 appearances, including 15 of his last 20 appearances and 14 of his last 18 appearances. He has posted a 14-5-1 record, along with a 1.93 GAA, a .931 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 20 appearances, including a 13-5-0 record, along with a 1.82 GAA, a .936 SV%, and 2 SO in his last 18 appearances. Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his last 10 appearances, including one goal or fewer in five of his last eight appearances (8-2-0 record, 1.69 GAA, .939 SV%, 2 SO in his last 10 appearances). Lundqvist has allowed nine even strength goals in his last 11 appearances, posting a .965 SV% at even strength over the span. He leads the NHL in even strength SV% this season (.941).

NHL ALL-TIME WINS LIST
14. John Vanbiesbrouck	374
15. Andy Moog	372
16. Henrik Lundqvist	370

APPEARANCES BY A GOALTENDER IN HIS FIRST 11 NHL SEASONS
T-1. Henrik Lundqvist	672
T-1. Roberto Luongo	672

STAAL ABOARD

The Rangers acquired Eric Staal from the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 28, and he made his debut with the Blueshirts on Feb. 29 vs. Columbus. Staal is one of only two NHL players who registered at least 30 assists and 50 points in 10 consecutive seasons from 2005-06 - 2014-15 (along with Martin St. Louis). In addition, he is one of only seven NHL players who have recorded 50 or more points in at least 10 different seasons since he entered the NHL in 2003-04. The four-time NHL All-Star is a member of the "Triple Gold Club", as he has won a Stanley Cup (2005-06), a gold medal at the Olympics (2010), and a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship (2007) in his career. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Staal is the first player in NHL history who has played at least one game with three different brothers in his career (Jordan and Jared during his tenure in Carolina; Marc with the Rangers).

TOO HOT TO YANDLE

Keith Yandle is the first Rangers defenseman to register at least 30 assists and 20 even strength assists in one season since Brian Leetch in 2000-01. He is tied for sixth among NHL defensemen in even strength assists (20) and ranks 10th in assists (31) in 2015-16. Yandle has recorded a point in 12 of the last 18 games (two goals, 10 assists), including seven of the last 10 contests (seven assists). 

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh is one of two NHL defensemen who have registered at least eight goals, 28 points, and a plus-16 rating this season (along with Drew Doughty)

BRASS BONANZA

Derick Brassard has tallied 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) and has posted a plus-10 rating in the last 15 games. Brassard leads the Rangers in goals this season (22). 

STEP-AN UP

Derek Stepan has tallied nine points (five goals, four assists) in the last 10 games. The Rangers have posted a 34-15-4 record in games which Stepan has played this season, including a 21-2-2 record in games which he has notched a point in 2015-16.

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello has registered all of his 21 goals and 43 of his 47 points this season when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest. In addition, 42 of Zuccarello's team-leading 47 points in 2015-16 have either been a goal or a primary assist.

IT'S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller leads the Rangers in goals (11), points (22), and plus/minus rating (plus-eight) on the road this season. 

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 0-for-1 (2:00) on Feb. 29 vs. Columbus.
• The Blueshirts have recorded a PPG in five of the last nine games (6-for-20; 30.0%).

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 1-for-1 (2:00) on Feb. 29 vs. Columbus.

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Dan Boyle - 1 point away from 600 in his NHL career

INJURIES (66 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

·         Rick Nash (bone bruise; injury suffered on Jan. 22) - week-to-week

·         Jesper Fast (flu) 

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

·         Feb. 28 - Acquired Eric Staal from Carolina in exchange for Aleksi Saarela, a second round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, and a second round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft; Assigned Marek Hrivik to Hartford (AHL); Acquired Chris Brown from Washington in exchange for Ryan Bourque

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

·         Mar. 2, 1975 – Rod Gilbert tied a single-game franchise record by tallying five assists against the Pittsburgh Penguins at MSG.

·         Mar. 3, 1977 – Rod Gilbert registered his 400th career NHL goal, becoming the 12th NHL player (at the time), and the first Ranger, to reach the milestone.

BLUESHIRT BIRTHDAYS

·         Mar. 2 – Henrik Lundqvist, Eddie Johnstone, Joby Messier

·         Mar. 3 – Brian Leetch, Colton Orr, Jack Gordon, Stephen Kraftcheck, Kelly Miller

Rangers Vs Penguins March 3rd 2016

Mar 3 - 10:14am by MattCalamia

W2W4: Rangers vs. Penguins 3.3.16

Who: New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Where: CONSOL Energy Center
When: Thursday night at 7:00 PM
Watch: MSG Network beginning at 6:30 PM
Listen: ESPN 98.7 FM and NewYorkRangers.com
***********************************
The Skinny:
After an outstanding month of February in which they posted a 10-3-1 record, tying the franchise mark for wins in February, the Rangers (37-20-6, 80 pts) begin a grueling stretch to open up the month of March with a tilt against the surging Penguins (32-22-8, 72 pts) on the road in Pittsburgh. That game will be followed up immediately on Friday night with a road contest in Washington against the league-leading Capitals before the Rangers close out the first week of the month at home Sunday against the Islanders, making it three hugely important games against division rivals in a four-day span. The Rangers come in playing well, having won three in a row and five of six, to close out February, and have added Eric Staal to their forward group, making their lineup more complete, more imposing, and more versatile moving forward. Staal will center Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg on Thursday, but head coach Alain Vigneault is not averse to moving Staal to the wing as he did in the third period of his Rangers debut Monday against Columbus. Derek Stepan, who has nine points in his last ten games and who scored a shorthanded, game-winning goal on Monday, will center Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello while Derick Brassard will be in between J.T. Miller and Viktor Stalberg. Jesper Fast will miss his second straight game because of the flu so a forward—likely Marek Hrivik--will be recalled from Hartford in time to play against the Penguins. Henrik Lundqvist, who had the night off Monday in favor of Antti Raanta, is back between the pipes again for a Rangers team that has won five of its last six games played on the road and has now evened its road record at 14-14-3 on the season. Lundqvist is 14-5-1 in his last 20 appearances with a 1.93 GAA, .931 save percentage and two shutouts. He will be pitted against Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury, who shut out the Arizona Coyotes 6-0 Monday in his last start. Fleury is second in the league this season with five shutouts after leading the NHL with ten blankings a year ago. Fleury had the night off on Tuesday when the Penguins dropped a 3-2 decision to the Capitals in Washington, a game which saw Patric Hornqvist score for the fourth time in the past two games and Evgeni Malkin net his first goal since returning from an injury lay off. The Penguins, who will play 16 games in the month of March, added defenseman Justin Schultz in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers before the deadline Monday; and they are currently without the injured Ben Lovejoy, Eric Fehr and Beau Bennett.
Head To Head:
The Rangers and Penguins are meeting for the second of four times this season, and will face one another three times over the next 24 days. On February 10 the Rangers skated out of CONSOL Energy Center with a 3-0 victory as Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 34 shots he faced, including 13 in the final period of play. Kevin Hayes opened the scoring 8:34 into the first period, Dominic Moore added an early third-period goal off a 2-on-1 rush, and Jesper Fast netted an empty netter to close out the scoring for New York which has now won five of its last six regular season games (5-0-1) against the Penguins while posting an 7-1-3 mark in their last 11 head to head meetings.  The Rangers have won three of their last four regular season visits to the CONSOL Energy Center and four straight playoff games in Pittsburgh dating back to the 2014 post-season.
Players To Watch:
Rangers-Keith Yandle: It was the sidebar story to the Rangers’ trade deadline deal to acquire Eric Staal from Carolina, but the fact that the team did not deal impending unrestricted free agent Keith Yandle spoke volumes about the Rangers organizations commitment to try and win the Stanley Cup, as well. At one point many believed Yandle would be traded before the deadline so that the rangers could receive some assets for him should he decide to sign elsewhere this summer. Yet Rangers management decided to keep Yandle and go “all in” on the pursuit of the Cup; and Yandle could not be any happier about that. The 29 year-old defenseman has played his best hockey as a Ranger since being acquired at the 2015 trade deadline over the past few months. Of late he has seven points in his last ten games, and Yandle really excelled when asked to play greater minutes when Ryan McDonagh was twice injured in February. Yandle leads the team in assists with 31 and is the club’s third leading scorer with 35 points. A three-time 50-point scorer, Yandle seems quite likely to reach 40 points this year for the sixth time in his career. He is also the first Rangers defenseman since Brian Leetch in 2000-01 to record 30 assists overall and 20 even-strength assists in the same season. Among NHL all blueliners this season, Yandle is tenth in assists and 19^th in points.
Penguins-Kris Letang: Like New York’s Keith Yandle, Kris Letang is also one of the NHL’s premier offensive defensemen and is third on his team in scoring this season, as well. Letang leads the Penguins with 37 assists, is third with 48 points and ranks sixth with 11 goals. Among the league’s defensemen Letang is tied for fourth in points, is fourth in assists and is tenth in goals scored. Letang, who has registered 333 points in 543 career games, is just six points shy of equaling his career-best of 54 set a year ago. Of course there’s a good chance he would have had plenty more point production in 2014-15 if injuries, including a late season concussion, had not limited him to 69 games played. Therein lies the only issue with Letang, remaining healthy. He has already missed ten games this season, and he hasn’t come close to playing a full season since doing so in 2010-11 as a wave of injuries has taken him down for stretches each and every year. Letang is healthy now and playing great hockey entering play Thursday. He has eight points (2-6-8) in his last seven games and an incredible 32 in the 25 games since December 31.

Rangers Vs Penguins March 3rd 2016

Mar 3 - 12:32am by JimCerny

NYR TODAY 3/3

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY

NEW YORK RANGERS (37-20-6) at PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (32-22-8)
TONIGHT 7:00 PM, MSG, NHLN

Season series: Goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves for the 58th shutout of his NHL career in the New York Rangers' 3-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 10. Forwards Kevin Hayes, Dominic Moore and Jesper Fast scored for the Rangers, who ended Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby's seven-game goal-scoring streak.

Rangers team scope: Fast did not practice Wednesday and remains sidelined with flu-like symptoms. "This flu looks like it's turning into a virus," coach Alain Vigneault told BlueshirtsUnited.com "He's still day-to-day, but he still has a fever and he's not coming with us on the trip," Forward Marek Hrivik will likely be called up from Hartford of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis. Vigneault is hoping forward Rick Nash (leg) returns to the Rangers in 10 days to two weeks. Forward Eric Staal, acquired from the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 28, skated on the third line between Oscar Lindberg and Kevin Hayes during his first practice with the Rangers. "It was nice to be out here with the guys and get comfortable learning the way they do things here," Staal told Newsday. "Good practice. I'm settling down a little bit more." New York has won three straight games, five of its past six and 10 of its past 13.

Team Leaders

Goals

Brassard 22

Crosby 25

Shots

Nash 149

Kessel 201

Hits

Glass 156

Kunitz 208

Assists

Yandle 31

Letang 37

NYR Alumni Birthdays 

3/3 Jack Gordon LW (1948-1951) Steve Kraftcheck D (1951-1953) Kelly Miller LW (1984-1987) Colton Orr RW (2005-2007)

NY RANGERS LEGEND #2 BRIAN LEETCH 

17 Seasons played: 1998-2007

Regular-Season Games with Rangers: 1129 - Playoff Games with Rangers: 82  

NY Rangers Captain: Oct. 3, 1997, to July 12, 2000 

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY MARCH 3
1977: Rod Gilbert becomes the first — and only — Ranger to score 400 goals with the Blueshirts.

NYR News and Notes

LUNDQVIST NAMED TO TEAM SWEDEN FOR WORLD CUP

Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will represent Team Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association announced on Wednesday.

The tournament, held in Toronto from Sept. 17 through Oct 1, will feature seven countries and one under-23 North American team.

"The goal and the mindset going into this is to win," Lundqvist told reporters after at the roster announcement at the MSG Training Center. "And I think we have the team for it. When it comes down to a couple games, obviously you need everything to work for you right away."

It will be the the 12th time in his career that Lundqvist has represented Sweden in international competition. He led Sweden to a Gold Medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy.

"Overall it's a great experience to play in these tournaments," Lundqvist said. "You get together with the best players in the world. You're good enough to represent your country. it's a huge honor to be there and to wear the jersey. The best feeling, though, was in '06. To see the flag go up and hear the national anthem, I think that's what we all will try to accomplish in September."

Lundqvist was one of 16 players named to the roster on Wednesday. Lundqvist is one of two goaltenders announced, including Vancouver's Jakob Markstrom. 

The remainder of the roster will be announced no later than June 1, 2016.

Henrik Lundqvist

Mar 2 - 1:29pm by MattCalamia

FAST NOT MAKING TRIP TO PITTSBURGH

The past week has not been very kind to Rangers winger Jesper Fast. Last Friday he suffered a broken nose, facial cuts, and dental issues after being struck in the face by a puck at practice in Dallas. Though he was able to play the following afternoon against the Stars, Fast was unable to go Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets because he was stricken by the flu.

That same flu bug kept Flast out of practice on Wednesday and will keep him sidelined when the Rangers face off with the Penguins in Pittsburgh Thursday evening.

“He’s still sick,” head coach Alain Vigneault explained after practice. “This flu looks like it’s turning into a virus. He’s still day to day, but he still has a fever, and he’s not coming with us on the trip.”

Though rookie defenseman Dylan McIlrath took Fast’s spot in the lineup Monday, playing forward for the first time as a professional, and skated on right wing on the fourth line again on Wednesday, Vigneault indicated that a forward would be recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack on an emergency basis for the Penguins game.

Vigneault conceded that the likely call up would be Marek Hrivik, who recently played the first four games of his NHL career after Daniel Paille was sent down to Hartford. Hrivik drew praise from his head coach during his brief stint with the Rangers, in which he was a +2, picked up an assist, and provided much speed, physicality, and junmp to the team’s fourth line.

“Hartford is playing and I know Jeff (Gorton) is going to see them tonight,” explained Vigneault. “We’re going to be calling someone up on an emergency since we only have 11 healthy forwards right now. We’ll make the decision after Jeff watches the game.”

****************************

The Rangers forward line combinations Wednesday at practice were as follows:

Kreider-Stepan-Zuccarello

Miller-Brassard-Stalberg

Lindberg-E. Staal-Hayes

Glass-Moore-McIlrath

Jim Cerny
BlueshirtsUnited.com

NYR TODAY WEDNESDAY 3/2

 NEW YORK RANGERS BIRTHDAY
#30 GOALTENDER HENRIK LUNDQVIST 34th BIRTHDAY
BORN MARCH 2, 1982

NYR Alumni Birthdays 3/2 
Eddie Johnstone RW (1975-1983) Joby Messier (1992-1995) Darren Turcotte C (1988-1993)

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.

NY RANGERS CASINO NIGHT
Pictures from the New York Rangers held their Annual Casino Night to benefit the Garden of Dreams Foundation

                                                         CAPTAIN RYAN McDONAGH

 

ANTTI RAANTA

 

THE BOYS IN THEIR FORMAL WEAR

 

DERICK BRASSARD, MATS ZUCCARELLO AND RICK NASH

 

THE STAAL BROTHER MARC AND ERIC

 

MATS ZUCCARELLO

 

VIKTOR STALBERG AND HIS WIFE

 

ERIC STAAL

 

HENRIK LUNDQVIST

NYR TODAY TUESDAY 3/1

RANGERS VS BLUE JACKETS POST GAME REVIEW
Stepan's Shorthanded Goal propels Rangers over Columbus
@RNYRF Staff Report

Monday Night after a rumor layden Trade Deadline Day the newest New York Ranger Eric Staal joined his brother Marc on the ice of the World's Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden. Centering the third line with winger Kevin Hayes and Oscar Lindberg, Staal put in a solid performance for his first time in a "Broadway Blueshirt". The line didn't last long as Coach Alain Vigneault started to juggle his lines in the 3rd Period to give the Rangers a much needed "spark" in a game that most fans considered slow paced reuniting the line of Lindberg-Hayes-Stalberg for most of the period. The eldest Staal finished the game with 1 hit and 1 shot on goal in 15:43 of ice time.

Rangers backup Goaltender Antti Raanta put up a fantastic and a times spectacular 26 save effort earning himself the first star of the game filling in for Henrik Ludqvist whom Coach Vigneault gave the night off after having started in 25 of the last 26 games.

The Rangers started off the scoring to take the lead into the second period on a sneaky behind the net chance by Right Wing Mats Zuccarello banking the shot off of Columbus Goalie Korpisalo marking his 21st of the season.

The Rangers held the lead into the 3rd period until Jackets Cam Atkinson took advantage of a giveaway at the Columbus blueline by NY defenseman Dan Girardi and headed into the Rangers zone all alone on a breakaway putting the tying goal past Raanta just 3:46 into the closing period. With under 4:00 to play Rangers D-Man Marc Staal took what to be a questionable tripping call. Less than a minute later Rangers center Derek Stepan scored on a shorthanded breakaway making a a deke to the right side putting one past the Jacket's goalie Korpisalo putting the Rangers in the lead for good with 2:43 left in regulation. After a late flurry in the Rangers end Columbus was thwarted by Raanta on a beautiful save only to finally push one in over the goal line after the final buzzer.

In other NY Rangers news, Defenseman Dylan McIlrath made his debut at 4th line forward filling in for Jesper Fast ho was scratched with flu symptoms on the right of center Dominic Moore and Left Wing Tanner Glass. McIlrath only logged in 4:54 of ice time with 5 hits, no shots on goal and a 5:00 major for fighting when he dropped the gloves with Blue Jackets veteran tough guy Jared Boll, holding his own and besting Boll in the scrum.

The Metropolitan Division 2nd Place Rangers (37-20-6) return to action on the road Thursday March 3rd as they faceoff with division rival 4th place Pittsburgh Penguins (32-21-8).


Rangers hold moment of silence for Bathgate, Honor Hall of Fame forward, who died Friday at age 83 

NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers held a moment of silence before their game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden on Monday in honor of Hall of Fame forward Andy Bathgate, who passed away Friday at age 83.

Bathgate, whose No. 9 was retired by the Rangers in 2009, played for New York for 12-plus seasons, beginning in 1952 and ending in February 1964, when he was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He won the Stanley Cup with Toronto that year and went on to play five NHL seasons after that, with Toronto, the Detroit Red Wings and the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins, finishing in 1970-71.

He scored 272 goals and 729 points in 719 games for the Rangers, and 349 goals and 973 points in 1,069 NHL games. He was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1978.

Bathgate, who won the Hart Trophy as NHL Most Valuable Player in 1958-59 when he scored a career-high 40 goals, had his No. 9 retired in a ceremony with Harry Howell, whose No. 3 was also retired. The Rangers previously retired No. 9 in honor of Adam Graves.

The Maple Leafs also held a moment of silence and video tribute prior to their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Air Canada Centre.

NYR Alumni Birthdays 3/1 
Max Bently C (1953-1954) Jocelyn Guevremont D (1979-1980) Allan Stanley D (1948-1954)

TODAY IN NYR HISTORY MARCH 1
2012: Marian Gaborik scores his 30th goal of the season in a 3-2 win over Carolina.