Rangers at Flyers 11.25.16: Pregame Notes

NEW YORK RANGERS at PHILADELPHIA FLYERS
Friday, Nov. 25, 2016, 1:00 p.m. ET
Wells Fargo Center - Philadelphia, PA

Rangers: 14-6-1 (29 pts)
Flyers: 9-9-3 (21 pts)

TONIGHT'S GAME

The Rangers play their 22nd game of the 2016-17 season tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center (1:00 p.m. ET - TV: NBC Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). All of the Blueshirts' next six games (including tonight's game) are against Eastern Conference opponents, and four of the six games are against Metropolitan Division opponents. The Rangers have won 13 of their last 19 games (13-5-1), including 12 of their last 17 games (12-4-1) and nine of their last 13 games (9-3-1). The Blueshirts have posted a 14-6-1 record this season.

RANGERS VS. FLYERS

• All-Time: 127-113-37-8 (67-48-23-4 at home; 60-65-14-4 on the road)
• 2016-17: Tomorrow's game is the first of four meetings between the Rangers and Flyers, and the first of two meetings between the two teams in Philadelphia. Following tomorrow's contest, the Rangers and Flyers will play against each other on the following dates: Jan. 4 (at Philadelphia), Jan. 25 (at MSG), Apr. 2 (at MSG).
• 2015-16: The Rangers posted a 3-1-1 record (1-1-0 at home; 2-0-1 on the road). Four of the five contests were decided by two goals or fewer, and all three contests between the two teams in Philadelphia were decided in a shootout. Chris Kreider and Derek Stepan tied for first on the team with two goals and three points in the season series, while Dan Girardi and Mats Zuccarello each registered three assists. Henrik Lundqvist posted a 3-0-1 record, along with a 1.65 GAA and a .948 SV% in four appearances.

The Rangers have earned a win in each of their last three games against the Flyers. New York has earned at least one point in eight of its last 10 games against Philadelphia, dating back to Mar. 26, 2014 (7-2-1).
The Blueshirts have registered a 19-6-1 record in their last 26 games against the Flyers, dating back to Mar. 6, 2011.

RANGERS-FLYERS CONNECTIONS

• Michael Del Zotto played parts of five seasons with the Rangers (2009-10 - 2013-14).
• Dale Weise played 10 games with the Rangers during the 2010-11 season.
• J.T. Miller, Jimmy Vesey, and Shayne Gostisbehere helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Rick Nash, Steve Mason, and Jakub Voracek were all teammates with the Blue Jackets for three seasons (2008-09 - 2010-11). Scott Arniel served as Blue Jackets Head Coach when all three players were on the roster during the 2010-11 season.
• Michael Grabner and Andrew MacDonald were teammates with the Islanders for parts of four seasons (2010-11 - 2013-14).
• Flyers Assistant Coach Ian Laperriere skated in 28 games with the Rangers during the 1995-96 season.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. FLYERS

• Henrik Lundqvist - 50 GP, 31-13-4, 2.41 GAA, .919 SV%, 4 SO - Lundqvist has earned at least one point in each of his last six appearances against the Flyers (5-0-1 record, 1.60 GAA, .947 SV%). In his last 21 appearances against Philadelphia (dating back to Mar. 6, 2011), Lundqvist has posted a 17-3-1 record, along with a 1.79 GAA, a .941 SV%, and 2 SO.
• Antti Raanta - 4 GP, 2-1-1, 1.74 GAA, .947 SV%, 1 SO - Raanta has made at least 30 saves in three of his four career appearances against Philadelphia.
• Derek Stepan - 29 GP, 8-19-27 - Stepan has registered eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last eight games against the Flyers, as well as 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in his last 20 contests against Philadelphia.
• Rick Nash - 22 GP, 9-9-18 - Since he joined the Rangers prior to the start of the 2012-13 season, Nash has tallied 12 points (seven goals, five assists) in 15 games against Philadelphia.
Chris Kreider - 12 GP, 5-4-9 - Kreider has tallied a point in eight of 12 career games against Philadelphia.

WINNING WAYS

This season, the Rangers have earned at least 14 wins in their first 21 games of a season for the ninth time in franchise history. New York is tied for the NHL lead in wins this season (14 - tied with Montreal).

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers have registered 82 goals through the first 21 games of the 2016-17 season. New York has recorded at least 82 goals in the first 21 contests of a season for the first time since 1990-91. The Rangers lead the NHL in goals per game this season (3.90).

BOUNCE BACK

Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 22-4-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 5-0-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17. The Rangers have not gone two consecutive games without earning at least one point in 2016-17.

HIGH FIVE

The Rangers have tallied five or more goals in 10 of the first 21 games in one season for the second time in franchise history (also in 1971-72). New York is the first NHL team to tally five or more goals in 10 of its first 21 games of a season since Buffalo in 2006-07.

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

The Rangers lead the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-29; 82 goals for, 53 goals against).

ROAD WARRIORS

New York leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (78). The Rangers have won five of their last six road games (5-1-0) and six of their last eight road contests (6-2-0). The Blueshirts have outscored their opponents, 34-20, in nine road games this season.

FINISHING THE JOB

The Blueshirts have posted a 12-0-0 record in games which they have held a lead entering the third period this season. Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have posted a 179-3-8 record in 190 regular season games in which they have held a lead entering the third period.

ON POINT

Ryan McDonagh and Brady Skjei have tallied 11 or more assists through the first 21 games of the season (McDonagh - 13; Skjei - 11). Two Rangers defensemen have recorded 11 or more assists within the first 21 games of a season for the first time since 1993-94 (Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov). In addition, three Rangers defensemen (McDonagh, Skjei, and Nick Holden) have recorded eight or more assists within the first 21 games of a season for the first time since 1996-97 (Leetch, Bruce Driver, and Alexander Karpovtsev).

UP FOR GRABS

Michael Grabner leads the NHL in even strength goals (12) and plus/minus rating (plus-19), and he is tied for second in the NHL in goals (12) in 2016-17. He became the first Ranger to tally 11 or more even strength goals in the team's first 18 games of one season since Rod Gilbert in 1971-72. Grabner has registered 13 points (10 goals, three assists) and a plus-17 rating in the last 13 games.

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh ranks second among NHL defensemen in primary assists (nine) and even strength assists (10), and ranks third among NHL defensemen in assists (13) this season. The Rangers captain has led the team in ice time in each of the first 21 games this season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, McDonagh is the only player who has led his team in ice time in every game his team has played in 2016-17. He is one of two NHL defensemen who have registered at least 11 points and a plus-11 rating this season (along with Shea Weber).

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist is one of 10 goaltenders in NHL history who have earned at least 350 career wins and 60 career shutouts. Lundqvist appeared in his 700th career NHL game on Nov. 20 vs. Florida, becoming the fifth goaltender in NHL history to appear in at least 700 games with one franchise (Brodeur - NJD; Esposito - CHI; Sawchuk - DET; Kolzig - WSH).

RAISE THE ANTTI

Antti Raanta has earned a win in each of his first five decisions to start this season. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Raanta is the first Rangers goaltender who has earned a win in each of his first five decisions to start a season since Steve Weeks in 1983-84. He has posted a 4-0-0 record, along with a 1.64 GAA and a .950 SV% in his last five starts.

IT'S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller has recorded a point in 13 of the Rangers' 14 wins in 2016-17, and the Blueshirts have posted a 13-0-0 record in games which he has tallied a point this season. He has registered 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in the last 17 games, and he is tied for the team lead in points this season (18).

HEY HEY HAYES

Kevin Hayes enters the contest with 99 career NHL points. He is the only NHL player who has registered at least 18 points and a plus-15 rating this season.

SKJEI HEY KID

Brady Skjei leads NHL rookies in assists this season (11), and he has tallied 10 assists/points in the last 16 games. He is tied for fifth among NHL defensemen in assists this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Blueshirts are the only team that ranks seventh or better in the NHL in both power play efficiency and penalty kill efficiency in 2016-17. New York has outscored its opponent on special teams in 10 of 21 games this season. 

Power Play:
• The Rangers were 1-for-3 (4:04) on Nov. 23 vs. Pittsburgh.
• The Blueshirts rank seventh in the NHL in power play efficiency this season (22.2%; 14-for-63).
• New York has recorded a power play goal in 11 of 21 games in 2016-17.

Penalty Kill:
• The Rangers were 3-for-3 (7:00) on Nov. 23 vs. Pittsburgh.
• The Blueshirts rank sixth in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this season (86.2%; 50-for-58).
• The Rangers have not allowed a power play goal against in eight of the last 10 games. The Blueshirts have killed off 27 of their opponents' last 29 power play opportunities (over an 11-game stretch), dating back to Nov. 3 (93.1%).
• New York is tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded goals this season (three).

UPCOMING MILESTONES
• Kevin Hayes - 1 point away from 100 in his NHL career/as a Ranger

INJURIES (41 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
• Pavel Buchnevich (back) - has missed six games
• Mika Zibanejad (broken fibula) - has missed two games

RECENT TRANSACTIONS
• Nov. 17 - Assigned Cristoval Nieves to Hartford (AHL)
• Nov. 21 - Claimed Matt Puempel off waivers

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

• Nov. 24, 1938 - Bryan Hextall registered five points (two goals, three assists) as the Rangers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-2, at MSG.
• Nov. 24, 1955 - Gump Worsley posted his second shutout in two days and Wally Hergesheimer registered a hat trick as the Rangers defeated the Boston Bruins, 5-0.
• Nov. 25, 1992 - Adam Graves tied a single-period Rangers record by tallying three goals in the third period, and Mark Messier recorded six points (two goals, four assists) as the Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins, 11-3.
• Nov. 25, 1997 - Mark Messier played his first game at Madison Square Garden since leaving the Rangers and joining the Vancouver Canucks. Messier tallied a goal as the Canucks defeated the Rangers, 4-2.

- New York Rangers

NYR TODAY Fri. 11/25: Game Day Preview, Alumni Birthday, Today in NYR History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (14-6-1) PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (9-9-3)
Wells Fargo Center Philadelphia 1:00 PM TV: NBC RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM NY

Both teams are coming off stinging losses Wednesday night, the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers will renew their heated rivalry this afternoon when they meet at 1 p.m. ET at the Wells Fargo Center.

Wednesday night's lopsided 6-1 Rangers loss to Pittsburgh at Madison Square Garden, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist allowed four goals on seven shots in the second period before getting yanked in favor of backup Antti Raanta.
Coach Alain Vigneault is expected to give Lundqvist a chance to redeem himself against Philly today in net.

The Rangers have 14 players with 10 or more points, led by Kevin Hayes (9 goals, 9 assists) and J.T. Miller (8 goals, 10 assists). Michael Grabner leads the Rangers with 12 goals and defenseman Ryan McDonagh has a team-high 13 assists.

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 12
ASSISTS: RYAN McDONAGH 13
POINTS: J.T. MILLER, KEVIN HAYES 18
FACE OFF%: MICHAEL GRABNER 66.67%
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +19
GWG: DAN GIRARDI 3
PPG: RICK NASH, BRANDON PIRRI 3

GOALIE STATS:
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  9-6-1 GAA: 2.46 SV%: .911
ANTTI RAANTA 5-0-0 GAA: 2.22 SV%: .934

NYR TEAM STATS
2nd Overall NHL
1st Metropolitan Division
POINTS: 29 (Rank #2)
WIN%: 0.690 (Rank #2)
GOALS FOR: 82 (Rank #1)
GOALS AGAINST: 52 (Rank #14)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 14 (Rank #9)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 3 (Rank #1)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 8 (Rank #3)
POWER PLAY RANK: 22.22 (Rank #7)
PENALTY KILL: 86.21 (Rank #5)
SHUTOUTS: 1
EMPTY NET GOALS: 5
SHOOTOUTS: 0/1

NYR Alumni Birthday November 25:

Harry Foster D (1929-1930)

Today in NYR History November 25:

1967: Gilles Villemure makes 35 saves and shuts out the St. Louis Blues, 1-0, in the Rangers first meeting with St. Louis. 

1970: The Rangers play for the first time in Buffalo and tie the Sabres 2-2.

1997: Three years after helping the New York Rangers to their first Stanley Cup since 1940, Mark Messier returns to Madison Square Garden for the first time after signing with the Vancouver Canucks during the offseason. Messier cries on the bench during a video tribute, but he scores a breakaway goal and is named the game's First Star in Vancouver's 4-2 victory.

2005: The Rangers and Washington Capitals participate in the longest shootout in NHL history (15 rounds). The Rangers’ Marek Malik tallies the winner with a between-the-legs shot in the 15th round. 

NYR TODAY Thurs. 11/24: Alumni Birthday, Today in NYR History

NYR Alumni Birthday November 24:

Jack McDonald RW (1943-1944)

Today in NYR History November 24:

1982: Rob McClanahan records a hat trick in an 8-5 Rangers win over the Minnesota North Stars at MSG. It’s the third straight game in which the Rangers record a hat trick. 

NEW YORK RANGERS POST GAME REPORT

Rangers "Roasted" like Thanksgiving Turkeys by Pens 6-1

In what looked to be a great start for the Rangers when Rick Nash scored a power play goal just under five minutes into the first period turned into a massacre on the ice with six unanswered goals by Pittsburgh.

Just two days after defeating the defending Stanley Cup Champions in a game very similar to this one where the Rangers came back from a two goal deficit to score five of their own unanswered goals the Penguins returned the favor.

The Rangers looked very disorganized throughout the second and third periods after failing to score on back to back power plays. Pittsburgh took advantage of the failed attempts and turned the game around chasing starter Henrik Lundqvist, 4 goals on 17 shots, from the nets in favor of backup Antti Raanta who surrendered two goals of his own on 21 shots.

The Rangers couldn't respond in the third period only getting 6 shots on goal and their first shot with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

Tonight is just one of those nights for the Rangers to put away, forget and regroup for Friday Afternoon's Game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

FINAL GAME STATS #PITvsNYR

NEW YORK RANGERS 1 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 6
SOG: NYR 17 PIT 38

POWER PLAY:  NYR  1/3 PIT 0/2

GOALTENDERS:
Pittsburgh - M. Murray (16 SV)
New York - A. Raanta (19 SV), H. Lundqvist (13 SV)

SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
04:22 New York PPG - Rick Nash (9) ASST: Chris Kreider (9), Mats Zuccarello (8) 0-1
2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
02:02 Pittsburgh Scott Wilson (3) ASST: Phil Kessel (15), Nick Bonino (5) 1-1
04:58 Pittsburgh Sidney Crosby (13) ASST: Ian Cole (3) 2-1
10:12 Pittsburgh Phil Kessel (5) ASST: Nick Bonino (6) 3-1
12:57 Pittsburgh Sidney Crosby (14) ASST: Kris Letang (10) 4-1
16:42 Pittsburgh Conor Sheary (4) ASST: Sidney Crosby (5), Carl Hagelin (5) 5-1
3RD PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
13:05 Pittsburgh Matt Cullen (4) ASST: Justin Schultz (5) 6-1

PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
04:17 Pittsburgh Evgeni Malkin - Tripping - 2 minutes
08:10 New York Marc Staal - Hooking - 2 minutes
13:02 New York Ryan McDonagh - Boarding Major - 5 minutes
13:02 Pittsburgh Sidney Crosby - Roughing - 2 minutes
2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
05:54 Pittsburgh Sidney Crosby - Tripping - 2 minutes
07:53 Pittsburgh Nick Bonino - Hooking - 2 minutes
19:48 New York Chris Kreider - Interference - 2 minutes
3RD PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
No Penalties

NYR TODAY Wed. 11/23: Game Day Preview, Today in NYR History

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

NEW YORK RANGERS (14-5-1) PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (11-5-3)
Madison Square Garden, NYC 7:00 PM TV: MSG RADIO: WEPN 98.7 FM

Tonight the Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second game of a home and home series at the Garden. The Rangers backstopped by Antti Raanta and bostered by five unanswered goals defeated the Pens in game one 5-2.

In Wednesday's match up Rangers Michael Grabner tallied his 12th goal of the season putting him in the top spot tied in goals scored with the Pens Sidney Crosby and Winnipeg's Patrick Laine. Grabner leads the league in even strength goals with all 12 coming with no man advantage.

Henrik Lundqvist gets the start in net tonight for the Rangers.

NYR TEAM LEADERS:
GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 12
ASSISTS: RYAN McDONAGH 13
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 18
FACE OFF%: MICHAEL GRABNER 66.67%
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +19
GWG: DAN GIRARDI 3
PPG: BRANDON PIRRI 3

GOALIE STATS:
HENRIK LUNDQVIST  9-6-0 GAA: 2.27 SV%: .938
ANTTI RAANTA 5-0-0 GAA: 2.05 SV%: .918

NYR TEAM STATS
2nd Overall NHL
1st Metropolitan Division
POINTS: 28 (Rank #2)
WIN%: 0.725 (Rank #2)
GOALS FOR: 81 (Rank #1)
GOALS AGAINST: 46 (Rank #8)
POWER PLAY GOALS: 13 (Rank #11)
SHORT HANDED GOALS: 3 (Rank #1)
POWER PLAY GOALS AGAINST: 8 (Rank #4)
POWER PLAY RANK: 21.67 (Rank #9)
PENALTY KILL: 85.45 (Rank #8)
SHUTOUTS: 1
EMPTY NET GOALS: 5
SHOOTOUTS: 0/1

Today in NYR History November 23:

1977: Rod Gilbert plays in his final NHL game, a 6-3 Rangers victory over the Colorado Rockies at MSG.

2014: New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist shuts out Montreal 5-0 at Madison Square Garden, four days after his backup, Cam Talbot, defeats the Philadelphia Flyers 2-0. It's the first time the Rangers get back-to-back shutouts from different goaltenders since Wayne Thomas wins 4-0 at the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 30, 1977, and John Davidson wins 4-0 at the Minnesota North Stars three days later.

NYR TODAY Tues. 11/22: Post Game Stats, Prospects, Alumni Birthdays, Today in NYR History

Rangers Post Game Stats:

Captain Ryan McDonagh notched two assists and established a single-game career-high with a plus five rating last night in Pittsburgh.

Goaltender Antti Raanta improved his season record to 5-5-0 and has a GAA of 2.05 and a .938 Save percentage.

Rangers have won at least 14 of its first 20 games of one season for the fourth time in #NYR90 history (1971-72, 1972-73, 2015-16, and 2016-17)

Rangers have tallied five or more goals in 10 of its first 20 games in a season for the second time in franchise history (also in 1971-72).

Rangers are the first NHL team that has recorded five or more goals in 10 of its first 20 games in one season since OTT and PHI in 2005-06.


Rangers Prospect Notes:

Igor Shesterkin is the only goaltender who ranks third or better in the KHL in GAA (2nd), SV% (T-2nd), and SO (1st) this season.

Sean Day is tied for second among OHL defensemen in goals (seven) and leads OHL defensemen in goals per game (0.44) in 2016-17.

NYR Alumni Birthday November 22:

Albert LeDuc D (1933-1934) Bert Marshall D (1972-1973)

Today in NYR History November 22:

1980: Craig Patrick is named as the 18th head coach in Rangers history.

NEW YORK RANGERS POST GAME REPORT

Rangers score five unanswered goals to defeat Penguins 5-2

What looked like it was going to be along night for the New York Rangers after a 2 goal first period for the Penguins turned into another comeback game for the Blueshirts.

Three goals in the second period by Rick Nash, Michael Grabner and J.T. Miller along with two in the final period by Kevin Hayes and an empty net goal that sealed the deal for New York by Derek Stepan. Antti Raanta with another solid game in net for the Rangers finished the night with 29 saves including a flurry of shots in the last two minutes of the game.

Michael Grabner's 2nd period goal, his 12th puts him tied for the league lead with Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Winnipeg's Patrick Laine. Grabner leads the league in even strength goals as well with 12.

J.T. Miller scored his first NHL career short handed goal and also earned himself the Broadway Hat.

Prior to the game Rangers Head Coach Alain Vigneault announced that Rookie Pavel buchnevich will miss 2-3 weeks but has no structural damage to his back.

NEXT GAME: The Rangers bring it home and look to take game number two from the Pens on Wednesday 7:00 PM!

FINAL GAME STATS 

NEW YORK RANGERS 5 PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2
SOG: NYR 36 PIT 31

POWER PLAY:  NYR  0/1 PIT 0/2

GOALTENDERS:
New York - A. Raanta (29 SV) W
Pittsburgh - M. Fleury (31 SV) L

SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
01:02 Pittsburgh Jake Guentzel (1) ASST: Phil Kessel (13), Trevor Daley (5) 0-1
13:12 Pittsburgh Jake Guentzel (2) ASST: Evgeni Malkin (9), Phil Kessel (14) 0-2
2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
04:51 New York Rick Nash (8) 1-2
14:23 New York Michael Grabner (12) ASST: Ryan McDonagh (12) 2-2
19:11 New York SHG - J.T. Miller (8) ASST: Kevin Hayes (9) 3-2
3RD PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
12:46 New York Kevin Hayes (9) ASST: Ryan McDonagh (13) 4-2
18:37 New York EN - Derek Stepan (3) 5-2

PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
02:15 Pittsburgh Kris Letang - High-sticking - 2 minutes
02:15 New York Josh Jooris - Slashing - 2 minutes
17:12 New York Dan Girardi - Roughing - 2 minutes
17:12 Pittsburgh Evgeni Malkin - Cross-checking - 2 minutes
2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
05:31 New York Jesper Fast - Tripping - 2 minutes
11:56 Pittsburgh Sidney Crosby - Interference - 2 minutes
18:49 New York Brady Skjei - Interference - 2 minutes
3RD PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
No Penalties

3 STARS OF THE GAME: 

1. RYAN McDONAGH NYR

2. Jake Guentzel PIT

3. KEVIN HAYES NYR

BROADWAY HAT:

J.T. MILLER