Rangers at Bruins 3.2.17: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• WINNING WAYS - The Rangers' 41 wins in 2016-17 are tied for the fourth-most the team has earned through the first 64 games of one season in franchise history. The only seasons in which the Blueshirts earned more than 41 wins through the first 64 games of a season were 1971-72 (43), 1972-73 (42), and 2011-12 (42). As of the conclusion of tonight's game, the Rangers are tied for second in the NHL in wins this season. The Blueshirts have won 10 of their last 14 games (10-3-1), as well as 13 of their last 19 contests (13-5-1).

• ROAD WARRIORS - New York leads the NHL in road wins this season (22) and also leads the NHL in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (94). The Blueshirts have won 11 of their last 13 road games (11-2-0). The Rangers have also earned a win in 21 of their last 27 road contests (21-6-0), including 15 of their last 18 road games (15-3-0).
• BOUNCE BACK - Since Dec. 22, 2015, the Rangers have posted a 34-9-1 record in the game following a loss (regulation or overtime/shootout). New York has posted a 17-5-1 record in games following a loss in 2016-17.
• SWEET 16 - Three Rangers rookies have registered 16 or more points this season (Brady Skjei, Jimmy Vesey, and Pavel Buchnevich). Prior to this season, the last time three Rangers rookies tallied at least 16 points in the same season was 2005-06 (Petr Prucha, Fedor Tyutin, and Dominic Moore).
• SOMETHIN' BRUIN - The Rangers won all three games against the Bruins in 2016-17, sweeping a season series against Boston for the first time since 2006-07. The Rangers have played more regular season games (643) and have earned more regular season wins (255) against Boston than against any other opponent in their 90-season history. Since Mar. 24, 2007, 25 of the 36 meetings between the Rangers and Bruins have been decided by one goal.
• ON POINT - A Rangers defenseman tallied an assist on each of the Rangers' two goals in tonight's game. Blueshirts defensemen have tallied 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) over the last 10 games.
• ONE AND WON - Since Jan. 7, 14 of the Rangers' 23 games have been decided by one goal. The Rangers have earned at least one point in each of the last 11 games they have played which were decided by one goal, dating back to Jan. 22 (10-0-1). The Blueshirts have posted a 19-7-2 record in one-goal games this season and rank second in the NHL in winning percentage in one-goal games in 2016-17 (.679).
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in 12 of the last 19 games and in 38 games this season. The Blueshirts have posted a 32-4-2 record in those 38 contests in 2016-17.
• THIRD PERIOD TALLIES - The Rangers recorded two goals in the third period of tonight's game. The Blueshirts lead the NHL in third period goals this season (86) and the Rangers' 86 third period goals are the most a team has recorded in any period thus far in 2016-17.
• STAYING DISCIPLINED - New York was assessed two penalties in tonight's game. The Rangers have been shorthanded three times or fewer in each of the last eight games and in 19 of the last 21 contests.
• KILL ZONE - The Rangers were 2-for-2 (4:00) on the penalty kill in tonight's contest. The Blueshirts have posted a 29-7-0 record in games which they have not allowed a power play goal in 2016-17.

Three Stars on Broadway

• - Henrik Lundqvist made 32 saves to earn his 29th win of the season and his 403rd career NHL win. By earning a win in tonight's contest, Lundqvist tied Grant Fuhr for 10th place on the NHL's all-time wins list. In addition, Lundqvist tied Martin Brodeur for the most wins by a goaltender in his first 12 seasons in league history. Lundqvist appeared in his 734th career game with the Rangers in tonight's contest, tying Terry Sawchuk for the third-most appearances a goaltender has made with one franchise in NHL history. The only goaltenders who have appeared in more games with one franchise than Lundqvist has with the Rangers are Martin Brodeur (1,259 with New Jersey) and Tony Esposito (873 with Chicago). Lundqvist has posted an 11-4-1 record, along with a 2.17 GAA, a .931 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 17 appearances. In addition, he has made at least 30 saves in 17 games this season; he has posted a 15-2-0 record, along with a 1.86 GAA, a .948 SV%, and 1 SO in those contests.
• Ryan McDonagh tied for the game-high with three blocked shots, tied for the team-high with four shots on goal, and was credited with four hits while skating in a game-high, 27:16 of ice time in tonight's contest. Since Oct. 16, 2014, the Rangers have posted a 31-7-4 record in games which McDonagh has logged at least 25:00 of ice time.
• Pavel Buchnevich registered the first goal of the game, drew two penalties, and posted a plus-one rating in 15:13 of ice time. He recorded a goal in each of his two games against the Bruins this season, and he has tallied four of his seven goals in 2016-17 on the road.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Oscar Lindberg tallied the game-winning goal, drew a penalty, recorded two shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's contest. He has registered a goal/point in three of the last six games (three goals), and he has recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in the last 12 games.
• Brady Skjei recorded an assist and posted a plus-one rating in 18:34 of ice time. Skjei has registered 28 assists in 2016-17, which are tied for the most a Rangers defenseman has notched in his rookie season since Brian Leetch established a franchise record for assists by a rookie with 48 in 1988-89 (Michael Del Zotto also recorded 28 assists in his rookie season in 2009-10). He has tallied 14 points (two goals, 12 assists) in the last 19 games, including 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) in the last 15 games and 10 points (one goal, nine assists) in the last 13 contests. As of the conclusion of tonight's game, Skjei ranks fourth among NHL defensemen in even strength assists this season (24).
• Nick Holden recorded an assist and tied for the team-high with five hits. He added to his career-high in assists (20) and points (29) this season, and he reached the 20-assist plateau for the first time in his NHL career. Holden leads the Rangers in hits this season (133).
• Rick Nash tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's contest. Nash has registered five points (two goals, three assists) in the last eight games and 12 points (five goals, seven assists) in the last 21 contests.
• Matt Puempel notched an assist, recorded one shot on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in tonight's game. He has registered six of his eight points in 2016-17 on the road.
• Brendan Smith was credited with two blocked shots and recorded one hit in 20:51 of ice time while making his Rangers debut in tonight's contest. Smith has logged at least 20:00 of ice time in each of his last four games and in six of the last eight contests he has played.
• Marc Staal skated in his 672nd career game as a Ranger in tonight's contest, passing James Patrick for sole possession of 14th place on the franchise's all-time games played list. In addition, Staal passed Patrick for sixth among defensemen in career games played with the Rangers. The only defensemen who have skated in more career games with the Blueshirts than Staal are Harry Howell, Brian Leetch, Ron Greschner, Jim Neilson, and Dan Girardi.

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

NYR Alumni Birthdays March 3:

Jack Gordon LW (1948-1951) Steve Kraftcheck D (1951-1953) Brian Leetch D (1988-2007) Kelly Miller LW (1984-1987) Colton Orr RW (2005-2007)

Today in NYR History March 3:

1977: Rod Gilbert becomes the first — and only — Ranger to score 400 goals with the Blueshirts.

NEW YORK RANGERS POST GAME WRAP UP: RANGERS at BRUINS 2/3

Rangers Win 2-1 Sweep Season Series With Bruins 

Coming into the game without leading scoreer Michael Grabner the Rangers were off to a slow start while the Bruins peppered Birthday Boy Henrik Lundqvist with nine shots on goal while the Rangers were only able to tally three, the first coming eleven minutes into the period.

A goaltending battle ensued between Lundqvist and Boston Netminder Tuuka Raask until 5:10 of the third period when Rangers rookie Pavel Buchnevich went top shelf on Raask to give New York the 1-0 lead. Just under four minutes later Oscar Lindberg made the move of the night past the Boston defenders and also went top shelf for the Rangers 2-0 lead. Boston added a goal at 12:56 of the period but the Rangers were able to hold off a Bruins onslaught and take the seaon series three games to none.

Hernik Lundqvist who earned the game's first star turned away 32 of Boston's 33 shots on goal eaning his 403rd career win. Lundqvist moved into a tie with former Edmonton Oilers goalie Grant Fuhr for 10th place on the all time wins list.

The Rangers will be back in action on Saturday when they face off against the Montreal Canadiens for Hockey Night in Canada.


FINAL GAME REPORT

NEW YORK RANGERS 2 BOSTON BRUINS 1

POWER PLAY: NYR 0/4 BOS 0/2

SHOTS ON GOAL: NYR 21 BOS 33

Hits NYR 27 BOS 24

Blocked Shots NYR 14 BOS 11

F/O NYR 44% BOS 56%

GVA: NYR 10 BOS 15

GOALTENDERS:
New York - H. Lundqvist (32 SV)
Boston - T. Rask (19 SV)

SCORING SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
No Scoring
2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
No Scoring
3RD PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS SCORE
05:10 New York Pavel Buchnevich (7) ASST: Nick Holden (20), Rick Nash (14) 1-0
09:35 New York Oscar Lindberg (5) ASST: Matt Puempel (2), Brady Skjei (28) 2-0
12:56 Boston Brad Marchand (29) ASST: David Pastrnak (27), Colin Miller (6) 2-1

PENALTY SUMMARY
1ST PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
08:51 New York Brendan Smith - Hooking - 2 minutes
17:59 Boston Dominic Moore - Tripping - 2 minutes
2ND PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
03:06 Boston Frank Vatrano - Hooking - 2 minutes
19:05 New York Marc Staal - Tripping - 2 minutes
3RD PERIOD
TIME TEAM DETAILS
09:43 Boston Colin Miller - High-sticking - 2 minutes
17:38 Boston David Backes - Goaltender Interference - 2 minutes

NYR STARS OF THE GAME: 

1. HENRIK LUNDQVIST

2. RYAN McDONAGH

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

NEW YORK RANGERS GAME DAY PREVIEW

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

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

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

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

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


NYR GAME DAY STATS:

RANGERS TEAM LEADERS:

GOALS: MICHAEL GRABNER 26
ASSISTS: MATS ZUCCARELLO 32
POINTS: J.T. MILLER 48
+/-: MICHAEL GRABNER +27
GWG: J.T. MILLER 6
PPG: BRANDON PIRRI, CHRIS KREIDER, RICK NASH, JIMMY VESEY 5
PPP: RYAN McDONAGH 12
SHG: J.T. MILLER 3
SHP KEVIN HAYES 6
PIM: CHRIS KREIDER 42
FO%: CHRIS KREIDER 62.50

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

RANGERS TEAM STATS

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

NYR Alumni Birthdays March 2:

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

NEW YORK RANGERS BIRTHDAY

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

Today in NYR History March 2:

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

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

RANGERS ACQUIRE FORWARD TAYLOR BECK FOR JUSTIN FONTAINE

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has acquired forward Taylor Beck from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Justin Fontaine.

Beck, 25, has skated in 40 games with the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season, registering 13 goals and 37 assists for 50 points, along with a plus-12 rating and 18 penalty minutes. Beck has established AHL career-highs in assists and points this season. He ranks second in the AHL in assists and is tied for second in the league in points in 2016-17. In addition, Beck leads the Condors in assists and points, ranks second on the team in plus/minus rating, and is tied for fourth on the team in goals this season. Beck has posted 15 multi-point games in 2016-17, and he tallied a season-high, four points (one goal, three assists) on Nov. 5 vs. Texas.

The 6-2, 203-pounder has also skated in three NHL games with the Oilers in 2016-17, registering four penalty minutes. Beck has skated in 90 career NHL games over parts of five seasons (2012-13 – 2016-17) with Nashville, the NY Islanders, and Edmonton, recording 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points. He skated in 62 games with the Predators during the 2014-15 season, tallying eight goals and eight assists for 16 points. Beck also skated in five playoff games with Nashville in 2014-15.

Beck has skated in 283 career AHL games over parts of six seasons, registering 74 goals and 141 assists for 215 points, along with a plus-13 rating and 148 penalty minutes. He has recorded at least 20 assists and 40 points in four of his last five seasons in the AHL. Beck has also skated in 16 career AHL playoff games, registering four points (two goals, two assists) and eight penalty minutes.

The St. Catharines, Ontario, native was selected by Nashville in the third round, 70th overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Fontaine skated in 50 AHL games with the Wolf Pack this season, registering nine goals and 21 assists for 30 points, along with 20 penalty minutes. He was signed by the Rangers as a free agent on Oct. 16, 2016.

Rangers Assign Steven Kampfer to Hartford

New York Rangers General Manager Jeff Gorton announced today that the team has assigned defenseman Steven Kampfer to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Kampfer registered two shots on goal and was credited with three blocked shots in 15:44 of ice time while making his Rangers debut on Feb. 28 vs. Washington. He has skated in 41 games with the Wolf Pack this season, registering four goals and 12 assists for 16 points, along with 42 penalty minutes. He is tied for third among Wolf Pack defensemen in goals, and ranks fourth among team defensemen in assists and points in 2016-17. Kampfer registered seven points (two goals, five assists) in his last nine AHL games prior to being recalled by the Rangers on Feb. 28.

NYR TODAY Wednesday 3/1: Alumni Birthdays, Today in Rangers History

NYR Alumni Birthdays March 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.