RANGERS INVEST IN WASHINGTON, LOOK TO SQUEEZE OUT CAPITAL(S) 

NEW YORK RANGERS at WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, 7:00 p.m. ET
Capital One Arena – Washington, D.C.
Rangers: 15-10-2 (32 pts)
Capitals: 17-11-1 (35 pts)

BY: The New York Rangers 

The New York Rangers’ 2017-18 Media Guide can be found via the following link HERE:

TOMORROW’S GAME

The Rangers play their 28th game of the 2017-18 season and begin a back-to-back set tomorrow, Dec. 8, against the Washington Capitals in a Metropolitan Division matchup at Capital One Arena (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). Tomorrow’s game is the third of four consecutive contests the Rangers are playing against Metropolitan Division opponents. New York has earned a win in six of its last seven games (6-1-0 record), and the Rangers have outscored their opponents, 28-14, over the last seven games. The Blueshirts have won 12 of their last 15 games (12-3-0 record) and 14 of their last 19 contests (14-5-0 record). In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 16 of their last 21 games (14-5-2 record).

RANGERS VS. CAPITALS

• All-Time: 96-93-18-7 (52-42-9-4 at home; 44-51-9-3 on the road)
• 2017-18: Tomorrow’s game is the first of four meetings between the Rangers and Capitals, and the first of two meetings between the two teams at Washington. Following tomorrow’s contest, the Rangers and Capitals will play against each other on the following dates: Dec. 27 (at MSG), Mar. 26 (at MSG), Mar. 28 (at Washington).
• 2016-17: The Rangers posted a 2-2-0 record (1-1-0 at home; 1-1-0 on the road). Three of the four contests were decided by two goals or fewer. Rick Nash led the Rangers with three points (one goal, two assists) in three games, while Jimmy Vesey led the Blueshirts with two goals in the season series. Henrik Lundqvist posted a 2-2-0 record, along with a 2.27 GAA and a .927 SV% in four appearances.
• The Rangers have earned at least one point in 18 of their last 27 games against Washington, dating back to Dec. 12, 2010 (16-9-2 record). In addition, the Blueshirts have registered at least one point in nine of their last 14 contests against the Capitals, dating back to Jan. 19, 2014 (8-5-1 record).
• The Blueshirts have tallied three or more goals in nine of their last 14 games against Washington.

RANGERS-CAPITALS CONNECTIONS

• Kevin Shattenkirk played a part of one season with Washington (2016-17).
• Paul Carey played parts of two seasons with the Capitals (2015-16 and 2016-17).
• Jim Schoenfeld was Washington’s Head Coach for parts of four seasons (1993-94 – 1996-97).
• Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan played with the Rangers during the 1985-86 season.
• Christian Djoos is the son of Per Djoos, who played parts of two seasons with the Rangers (1991-92 and 1992-93).
• Henrik Lundqvist and Nicklas Backstrom have represented Sweden in several tournaments, including the Olympics, World Cup of Hockey, and World Championships. Lundqvist and Backstrom helped Sweden earn a gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championship and a silver medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Henrik Lundqvist and Alex Ovechkin were both selected to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team in 2005-06.
• Henrik Lundqvist and Braden Holtby have both won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s Best Goaltender (Lundqvist – 2011-12; Holtby – 2015-16). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Lundqvist and Holtby have started more winner-take-all games against each other than any other goaltender duo in NHL history (three; Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2012, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 2013, and Game 7 of the Second Round in 2015).
• Rick Nash and Alex Ovechkin are the only two NHL players who have registered 20 or more goals in at least 12 different seasons since 2003-04. In addition, Nash and Ovechkin were both selected with the first overall pick in the NHL Entry Draft (Nash – 2002; Ovechkin – 2004).
• Kevin Shattenkirk and T.J. Oshie were teammates with the Blues for parts of five seasons (2010-11 – 2014-15) and with the Capitals for part of one season (2016-17). Shattenkirk, Oshie, Ryan McDonagh, John Carlson, and Brooks Orpik all represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• David Desharnais and Lars Eller were teammates with the Canadiens for six seasons (2010-11 – 2015-16). In addition, Desharnais, Eller, and Devante Smith-Pelly were all teammates with Montreal for parts of two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16).
• Mika Zibanejad and Alex Chiasson were teammates with the Senators for two seasons (2014-15 and 2015-16).
• Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Chiasson were teammates with Boston University for one season (2009-10).
• Marc Staal, T.J. Oshie, and Matt Niskanen were all selected in the first round of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
• Brady Skjei and Tom Wilson were both selected in the first round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.
• Chris Kreider and John Carlson helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Paul Carey and John Carlson were teammates with the Indiana Ice of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for one season (2007-08).
• Marc Staal and Taylor Chorney are both natives of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
• Rick Nash and Tyler Graovac are both natives of Brampton, Ontario.

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. CAPITALS

• Henrik Lundqvist – 36 GP, 21-11-4, 2.61 GAA, .909 SV%, 4 SO – In his last 19 appearances against the Capitals (dating back to Dec. 12, 2010), Lundqvist has posted a 12-5-2 record, along with a 2.19 GAA, a .923 SV%, and 3 SO.
• Ondrej Pavelec – 29 GP, 10-15-2, 2.89 GAA, .907 SV%, 3 SO – Pavelec has appeared in more games and has earned more shutouts against Washington than against any other opponent in his NHL career.
• Rick Nash – 25 GP, 13-12-25 – Nash has registered 10 points (six goals, four assists) in his last 11 games against Washington, including four points (one goal, three assists) in his last four contests against the Capitals.
• Ryan McDonagh – 25 GP, 2-16-18 – McDonagh has recorded more career assists and points, and has posted a better plus/minus rating (plus-14) against Washington than against any other NHL opponent. McDonagh has registered a point in six of his last seven games against the Capitals (one goal, seven assists over the span).
• Kevin Hayes – 13 GP, 4-5-9 – Hayes has posted four multi-point games in 13 career contests against Washington.
• Mats Zuccarello – 18 GP, 1-8-9 – Zuccarello has tallied a point in seven of his last 12 games against the Capitals (one goal, seven assists).

RANGERS CONNECTIONS (IN ADDITION TO CURRENTLY PLAYING WITH THE BLUESHIRTS)

• Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Shattenkirk have represented the United States together in several tournaments, including the 2014 Winter Olympics, the 2011 IIHF World Championship, the 2009 IIHF World Junior Championship, and the 2007 IIHF World U18 Championship. McDonagh, Shattenkirk, and Chris Kreider were all teammates with Team USA at the 2011 IIHF World Championship.
• Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Brendan Smith were all selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft (McDonagh – 12th overall by Montreal; Shattenkirk – 14th overall by Colorado; Smith – 27th overall by Detroit).
• Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith were teammates at the University of Wisconsin for three seasons (2007-08 – 2009-10).
• Paul Carey, Chris Kreider, and Kevin Hayes were all teammates at Boston College for two seasons (2010-11 and 2011-12) and helped Boston College win the National Championship in 2011-12; Carey and Kreider were teammates for three seasons (2009-10 – 2011-12) and helped Boston College win two National Championships (2009-10 and 2011-12).
• Kevin Hayes and Jimmy Vesey were friends growing up in Massachusetts.
• J.T. Miller and Jimmy Vesey helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Kevin Hayes and Brady Skjei represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
• Michael Grabner’s first head coach in the NHL was Alain Vigneault (2009-10 with Vancouver).
• Paul Carey and Nick Holden were teammates with Colorado for parts of two seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15).
• Paul Carey and Kevin Shattenkirk were teammates with Washington for part of one season (2016-17).
• Nick Holden and Rick Nash were teammates with Columbus for part of one season (2010-11).
• Kevin Shattenkirk is a native of New Rochelle, New York. He was a Rangers fan growing up, and his favorite player was Brian Leetch.

TEAM EFFORT

Through the first 27 games of the 2017-18 season, the Rangers have…

• 13 players who have tallied 10 or more points (one of two NHL teams – the other is Toronto)
• five players who have recorded 20 or more points (one of five NHL teams)
• four players who have tallied 10 or more goals (one of six NHL teams)
• seven players who have recorded 10 or more assists (one of six NHL teams)

GOALS GALORE

The Rangers have registered at least three goals in 17 of the last 21 games, as well as four or more goals (including team goals awarded for a shootout win) in 14 of those contests (78 goals; 77 in regulation/overtime). The Blueshirts have also tallied four or more goals in each of the last four games (17 goals over the last four games) and in five of the last six contests (25 goals over the last six games). New York ranks sixth in the NHL in goals per game this season (3.33).

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

The Blueshirts have posted a plus-10 goal differential this season, which is tied for the best in the Metropolitan Division and is tied for the third-best in the Eastern Conference. The Rangers have posted a plus-19 goal differential since Oct. 31, which is tied for the best in the NHL over the span.

LEADING THE WAY

The Rangers have posted a .800 points percentage since Oct. 31, which is the best in the NHL over the span (12-3-0 record).

RESILIENT RANGERS

The Rangers have outscored their opponents, 41-29 when trailing in a game this season. The Blueshirts have recorded more goals when trailing than any other NHL team this season, and the team’s plus-12 goal differential when trailing ranks second in the NHL. The Rangers have outscored their opponents, 11-4 when trailing in a game over the last five contests.

COMEBACK KIDS

The Rangers have won a game in which they allowed the first goal in each of the last two contests and in four of the last five contests. The Blueshirts have won six games in which they allowed the first goal in 2017-18, and their six wins in games which the opposition scores first are tied for the second-most in the NHL thus far this season.

ROAD WARRIORS

The Blueshirts have won each of their last two road games, as well as four of their last six road contests (4-2-0 record). The Rangers are tied for the NHL lead in road wins since the start of last season (31; 31-17-2 record in 50 road games since 2016-17). In addition, New York ranks second in the NHL – and leads the Eastern Conference – in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (103).

TAKING THE METRO

The Rangers have earned a win in each of their last three games against Metropolitan Division opponents. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in six of nine games against Metropolitan Division opponents in 2017-18 (4-3-2 record).

TWO GOOD

The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in five of the last eight games and in seven of the last 11 games. The Rangers have allowed 34 goals over their last 14 contests (2.43 goals against per game over the span).

STAYING DISCIPLINED

The Rangers have only taken 89 minor penalties this season, which are the fifth-fewest in the NHL thus far in 2017-18.

CLOSE CALL

Four of the Rangers’ last five games have been decided by one goal. In addition, 12 of the Rangers’ last 16 games, as well as 20 of their 27 games this season, have been decided by two or fewer goals.

FINISHING THE JOB

The Rangers have posted a 9-0-0 record when leading entering the third period this season.

MEASURE UP

The Rangers’ average shot on goal length this season is 32.68 ft. from the net. On average, the Rangers have recorded shots on goal closer to the net than any other NHL team in 2017-18.

THREE’S COMPANY

Over the last three games, the Chris Kreider-David Desharnais-Pavel Buchnevich line has recorded 13 points (five goals, eight assists), and at least one of the three players has tallied a goal in each contest.

KING HENRIK

Henrik Lundqvist has posted a 5-0-0 record, along with a 1.68 GAA, a .945 SV%, and 1 SO in his last six appearances, and he has stopped 131 of 137 shots he has faced at even strength over the span (.956 SV% at even strength). He has also allowed two goals or fewer in seven of his last 10 appearances, posting a 7-2-0 record, along with a 2.09 GAA, a .937 SV%, and 1 SO over the span. Lundqvist has made at least 30 saves in five of his last eight appearances and in 10 of his last 19 appearances. He has been selected as one of the game’s Three Stars in 12 of his 23 appearances this season.

TRUE BLUE

Lundqvist has earned 418 wins in his NHL career (all with the Rangers), and he is tied with Tony Esposito for the second-most wins a goaltender has earned with one franchise in league history (Esposito earned 418 wins with Chicago). The only goaltender in NHL history who has earned more career wins with one franchise than Lundqvist has with the Rangers is Martin Brodeur (688 with New Jersey).

BEST OF THE BEST

Lundqvist has appeared in 175 games in which he and another winner of the Vezina Trophy have both started. In those 175 games, Lundqvist has posted a 102-57-16 record, along with a 2.24 GAA, a .922 SV%, and 16 SO. In the 33 combined regular season and playoff games in which Lundqvist and Braden Holtby have both started, Lundqvist has earned 18 wins and has posted a 1.96 GAA, a .930 SV%, and 3 SO. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Lundqvist and Holtby have started more winner-take-all games against each other than any other goaltender duo in NHL history (three; Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2012, Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 2013, and Game 7 of the Second Round in 2015).

UP FOR GRABS

Michael Grabner leads the NHL with six empty-net goals this season, and his six empty-net goals are tied for the fourth-most in one season in NHL history. He is tied for third in the NHL in even-strength goals (13) and is tied for 12th in plus/minus rating (plus-11) in 2017-18, and he is also tied for the NHL lead in goals since Oct. 26 (12). Since the start of last season, Grabner is the only NHL player who has recorded at least 40 goals and a plus-30 rating.

SHATT STATS

Kevin Shattenkirk has tallied 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in the last 16 games, and he leads Rangers defensemen in goals (five), assists (15), and points (20) this season. In addition, Shattenkirk is tied for first among NHL defensemen in primary assists (10) and is tied for second among NHL defensemen in primary points (15; five goals and 10 primary assists on a goal) in 2017-18. Shattenkirk is one of four NHL defensemen who has registered 30 or more assists and 40 or more points in six different seasons since he entered the NHL in 2010-11.

KREID-ING HIGH

Chris Kreider tallied his 100th career NHL assist, which was an assist on the game-winning goal, on Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh. He enters the contest with 99 career NHL goals and 199 career NHL points. Kreider has recorded a point in five of the last seven games (five goals, three assists, plus-six rating), and he has registered 14 points (10 goals, four assists) in the last 19 games.

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello has registered a point in six of the last seven games (two goals, six assists, plus-seven rating), and he has recorded 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and a plus-10 rating in the last 15 contests. He has posted a plus-12 rating over the last 17 games, and he has posted a plus/minus rating of even or better in every game over the span. He leads the Rangers in assists (17) and is tied for the team lead in points (22) this season.

IT’S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller has registered 19 points (four goals, 15 assists) and a plus-10 rating in 18 games against Eastern Conference opponents this season, and he leads the Rangers in assists, points, and plus/minus rating against Eastern Conference teams in 2017-18. Miller also leads the Rangers in assists (eight) and points (10) on the road this season.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 0-for-2 (3:00) on Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh.
• The Blueshirts rank ninth in the NHL in power play efficiency this season (21.5%; 20-for-93).
• The Rangers are 9-for-39 (23.1%) over the last 13 games and 12-for-50 (24.0%) over the last 16 games.

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 2-for-3 (4:19) on Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh.
• The Blueshirts have killed off 40 of their opponents’ last 47 power play opportunities (85.1%).

BLUESHIRT BULLETS

• Kevin Hayes has registered a point in five of the last 10 games (two goals, three assists), and he has posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in five of the last six games (58.9%; 53-for-90 over the span).
• Jesper Fast has recorded four goals/points in the last six games. The Rangers have posted a 14-6-2 record in games which Fast has played this season, including a 9-0-1 record in games which he has tallied a point.
• Marc Staal is three games away from tying Andy Bathgate for 11th place on the Rangers’ all-time games played list.
• Boo Nieves is the only NHL player (min. 10 games played) who has not been on the ice for a goal against this season (130:58 of ice time). He tallied his first career NHL goal in the Rangers’ last game on Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh.
• Jimmy Vesey has registered a point in four of the last seven games (one goal, three assists), and he has also recorded six points (three goals, three assists) in the last 11 contests.
• Ryan McDonagh has notched seven assists/points in his last nine games, 10 assists/points in his last 13 games, and 12 assists/points in his last 17 contests. He is tied for sixth among NHL defensemen in even strength assists this season (10).
• Paul Carey has registered three points (two goals, one assist) and has posted a plus-three rating in five games against Metropolitan Division teams in 2017-18.
• Ondrej Pavelec made a single-game season-high, 41 saves and earned a win on Dec. 5 at Pittsburgh. He made 22 saves in the second period of the contest, becoming the first Rangers goaltender to make 22 or more saves in one period since Nov. 21, 2013, at Dallas (Henrik Lundqvist – 23 saves in the first period).
• Brendan Smith is tied for first among NHL defensemen in minor penalties drawn this season (10; tied with Dmitry Orlov).
• David Desharnais enters the contest with a three-game point streak (one goal, four assists). He ranks seventh in the NHL (min. 200 faceoffs taken) in faceoff win percentage this season (57.6%; 125-for-217).
• Nick Holden has logged at least 19:00 of ice time in six of the last seven games, and he has posted a plus-three rating over the last seven contests.
• Rick Nash is one of six NHL players who either lead their team or are tied for the team lead in both shots on goal and takeaways this season. Nash leads the Rangers in minor penalties drawn in 2017-18 (11).
• Brady Skjei has tallied five assists/points and has posted a plus-five rating over the last six games.
• Pavel Buchnevich leads the Rangers in points per 60 minutes of ice time this season (3.13).

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Chris Kreider – 1 goal away from 100 in his NHL career; 1 point away from 200 in his NHL career
• Nick Holden – 1 point away from 100 in his NHL career
• Henrik Lundqvist – 66 saves away from 20,000 in his NHL career

INJURIES (17 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

• Mika Zibanejad (concussion) – has missed three games

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• Dec. 6 – Assigned Alexandar Georgiev to Hartford (AHL); Signed goaltender Marek Mazanec; Assigned Marek Mazanec to Hartford (AHL)
• Dec. 5 – Recalled Alexandar Georgiev from Hartford (AHL)

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

• Dec. 7, 1980 – Walt Tkaczuk was named the 18th captain in Rangers history.
• Dec. 8, 1974 – Ron Greschner tallied his first career NHL goal as the Rangers and Montreal Canadiens played to a 3-3 tie at MSG.
• Dec. 8, 2000 – Brian Leetch registered his 818th career point as a Ranger, passing Jean Ratelle for sole possession of second place on the franchise’s all-time points list, as the Rangers defeated the Buffalo Sabres, 5-2, at MSG. Theo Fleury tallied two goals, Mark Messier recorded two assists, and Mike Richter made 23 saves in the contest.

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