PENALTIES KILL WINS 

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NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES                                               (Regular Season Game 1, Away 1)

New York Rangers 2, Los Angeles Kings 3 (OT)
Ericsson Globe Arena – October 7, 2011

GAME SUMMARY

EVENT SUMMARY

Team Notes:
-The Rangers were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings, 3-2, in overtime tonight at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, in their season-opening match-up as part of the 2011 Compuware NHL Premiere.

-New York is now 35-36-14 all-time in 85 season-opening games, including a 25-27-9 record in 61 season openers away from Madison Square Garden.  The Blueshirts have out-scored their opponents, 243-239, in season openers.

-The Rangers have now posted a record of 2-0-1 all-time in three regular season contests in Europe.  New York participated in the inaugural NHL Premiere in Prague, Czech Republic to kick-off the 2008-09 season, having won back-to-back contests against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

-New York registered a 57% face-off winning percentage, having won 34 of 60 face-offs in the contest.  Brad Richards led all skaters with an 82% face-off winning percentage (9-11), and Artem Anisimov won a team-high, 10 face-offs (10-20, 50%).
-Three players made their Rangers debut in the contest – Tim Erixon, Brad Richards and Mike Rupp.  Erixon was also making his NHL debut.

Player Notes:
–Ryan Callahan notched the Rangers’ first goal of the season with an even strength tally at 15:22 of the first period, while making his debut as the team’s captain.  He also led all skaters with a career-high, 11 shots on goal, was credited with three hits, and led all team forwards with 20:30 of ice time.  Callahan’s 11 shots were the most by a Ranger since Brendan Shanahan recorded 12 shots on goal on April 4, 2008 vs. the Islanders.
–Henrik Lundqvist stopped 27 of 30 shots, including 12 of 13 in the first period, to capture second star honors. He is now 4-1-1 with a 2.31 goals against average and .920 save percentage in six career season-opening games.

–Marian Gaborik tallied an even strength goal at 10:28 of the third period, and recorded five shots on goal in 17:09 of ice time.  He has now registered three points (two goals, one assist) in three season-opening games as a Ranger.

-Brad Richards recorded an assist on Gaborik’s third period goal while making his Rangers debut.  He also won nine of 11 face-offs (82%) and registered three shots on goal in 18:00 of ice time.  Richards has now tallied six goals and six assists for 12 points in 11 career season-opening games.

-Brandon Dubinsky tallied the primary assist on Gaborik’s third period goal, and won seven of 13 face-off attempts (54%).  He has now registered three goals and two assists for five points in five career season-opening games.

-Artem Anisimov recorded the primary assist on Callahan’s first period goal and won a team-high, 10 face-offs in 18:22 of ice time.  He has now registered three points (one goal, two assists) in four career regular season contests against Los Angeles.

–Ruslan Fedotenko tallied an assist on Callahan’s first period goal, and logged 17:32 of ice time in the contest.

–Dan Girardi led all skaters with 30:18 of ice time and was credited with a team-high, two blocked shots.  It is the fifth time in his career he has surpassed 30:00 of ice time.  Last season, Girardi logged 30:00+ of ice time three times, including a career-high, 32:36, on April 3 at Philadelphia.

-Tim Erixon was credited with one hit and one blocked shot in 12:56 of ice time while making his NHL debut.

-Ryan McDonagh logged a career-high, 26:59 of ice time in the contest.
-Michael Del Zotto led the Rangers with four hits and logged 19:12 of ice time.

Team Schedule:
-The Rangers return to action tomorrow, October 8, against the Anaheim Ducks at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden (1:00 p.m. EST), in their second of two games at the 2011 Compuware NHL Premiere.  The contest will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio or at newyorkrangers.com.

-The Blueshirts are scheduled for a 10:45 a.m. (local time) optional morning skate tomorrow, October 8, at Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.