RANGERS STUFF THEMSELVES ON BURNT DUCK AT MSG 

OFFICIAL GAME REPORTS      GOALIES
Game Summary                                   ANA: J. Gibson (L)   NYR: H. Lundqvist (W)  Event Summary

–       HOME COOKING – The Rangers have earned at least one point in 13 of their last 14 home games, dating back to Oct. 26 (12-1-1 record over the span). The Blueshirts have outscored their opponents, 56-30, over the last 14 home games. The Rangers have earned at least one point in 17 of 22 home games this season (14-5-3 record). New York leads the NHL in points (31) and is tied for the NHL lead in wins (14) at home in 2017-18.

–       WINNING WAYS – The Rangers have earned a win in 10 of their last 14 games (10-3-1 record), and the Blueshirts have outscored their opponents, 49-30, over the last 14 games. The Blueshirts have won 16 of their last 22 games (16-5-1 record) and 18 of their last 26 contests (18-7-1 record). In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 21 of their last 28 games (18-7-3 record).

–       GOALS GALORE – The Rangers have recorded at least three goals in 21 of the last 28 games, as well as four or more goals (including team goals awarded for a shootout win) in 17 of those contests (99 goals; 98 in regulation/overtime). The Blueshirts have tallied four or more goals in seven of the last 11 games (38 goals) and in eight of the last 13 contests (46 goals).

–       SAVING THE DAY – Over the Rangers’ last 15 games (since Nov. 17 at Columbus), Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec have posted a .941 SV% (494 saves on 525 shots).

–       MAKING THE DIFFERENCE – The Blueshirts have posted a plus-15 goal differential this season, which is the best among teams in the Metropolitan Division.

–       KILL ZONE – The Rangers were 2-for-2 (3:00) on the penalty kill in tonight’s contest. The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in six of the last seven games (21-for-22; 95.5%) and in seven of the last nine games (25-for-27; 92.6%). In addition, the Rangers have killed off 61 of their opponents’ last 69 power play opportunities (88.4%).

–       TWO GOOD – The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in each of the last three games, in five of the last six games, in 10 of the last 15 games, and in 12 of the last 18 games.

–       FIRST IN SCORE – New York recorded the first goal of the game for the third consecutive contest and for the 16th time this season. The Rangers have posted a 13-3-0 record when tallying the first goal of the game in 2017-18. The Rangers have not trailed at any point over the last three games.

–       FINISHING THE JOB – The Rangers have posted a 13-0-0 record when leading entering the third period this season. Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Blueshirts have posted a 207-7-8 record when leading entering the third period, and their .932 winning percentage when leading entering the third period over the span is the best in the NHL.

–       DUCK HUNTING – The Rangers have won six of their last seven games against the Ducks (6-1-0 record), dating back to Jan. 7, 2015. The Blueshirts have earned at least one point in 11 of their last 15 games against the Ducks, dating back to Dec. 16, 2008 (10-4-1 record). New York has won each of its last four games against Anaheim at MSG (dating back to Mar. 22, 2015), as well as seven of its last eight games against Anaheim at MSG, dating back to Jan. 20, 2009 (7-1-0 record).

–       SMOOTH SAILING ON THE PACIFIC – The Rangers have posted a 6-1-0 record in seven games against Pacific Division opponents this season. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, the Blueshirts have posted a 17-3-1 record in 21 games against teams in the Pacific Division, as well as a 12-2-0 record in 14 home games against Pacific Division opponents over the span.

–       HOT AT THE DOT – The Rangers won 25 of 50 faceoffs (50.0%) in tonight’s game. The Blueshirts have posted a faceoff win percentage of 50.0% or better in four of the last five games.

–       Henrik Lundqvist made 39 saves, and stopped all 31 shots he faced over the first two periods, to earn his third consecutive win, his 17th win of the 2017-18 season, and his 422nd career NHL win. Lundqvist is now one win away from tying Tony Esposito for eighth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list. In his last 12 home appearances (since Oct. 31 vs. Vegas), Lundqvist has posted an 11-0-0 record, along with a 2.12 GAA, a .933 SV%, and 1 SO. Lundqvist is one of two goaltenders in franchise history who have posted an 11-game home winning streak (Dave Kerr – 14-game home winning streak during the 1939-40 season). Over the last month (since Nov. 19 vs. Ottawa), Lundqvist has posted a 9-2-0 record, along with a 2.03 GAA, a .938 SV%, and 1 SO in 12 appearances. Lundqvist has posted a 15-4-0 record, along with a 2.36 GAA, a .929 SV%, and 1 SO in 20 appearances since Oct. 31, and as of the conclusion of tonight’s game, he leads the NHL in wins since Oct. 31. He has posted a 1.65 GAA and a .955 SV% (105 saves on 110 shots) over his current three-game winning streak. Lundqvist has made at least 30 saves in each of the last three games and in five of his last seven appearances. In addition, he has been selected as one of the game’s Three Stars in each of the last three games and in 15 of his 29 appearances this season.

–       Paul Carey registered two goals, including the first goal of the game, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. Carey posted the first multi-goal/point game of his NHL career in tonight’s contest. He has recorded six points (three goals, three assists) in the last nine games.

–       David Desharnais tallied two assists, both of which were primary assists, and posted a plus-one rating. He has recorded four assists/points in the last four games and has registered nine points (one goal, eight assists) in the last 10 games.

–       Alain Vigneault earned his 633rd career win as an NHL head coach in tonight’s game, and he is now one win away from tying Darryl Sutter for 11th place on the league’s all-time wins list among head coaches. Vigneault leads all NHL head coaches in wins since the start of the 2006-07 season (524).

–       Nick Holden tied a single-game career-high with two assists, registered his 100th career NHL point, and posted a plus-two rating in 18:21 of ice time. Holden has tallied two assists in a game five times in his NHL career.

–       Kevin Hayes recorded the game-winning goal, tied for the team-high with four shots on goal, won nine of 18 faceoffs (50.0%), and posted a plus-two rating. He extended his point streak to three games (two goals, one assist over the span), and he has registered four points (three goals, one assist) in the last six games. He ranks second on the Rangers in even strength goals (eight) and is tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (three) in 2017-18.

–       Michael Grabner tallied a goal, registered three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. He extended his point streak to four games (three goals, one assist over the span). Grabner leads the Rangers in goals (17) and plus/minus rating (plus-14) this season.

–       Mats Zuccarello recorded an assist on the game-winning goal, registered three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. Zuccarello extended his point streak to four games (one goal, three assists over the span). He has tallied a point in 11 of the last 14 games (five goals, nine assists), and he has registered 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in the last 17 games. Zuccarello leads the Rangers in assists (20) and points (28) this season.

–       Jimmy Vesey registered an assist and posted a plus-one rating. He has recorded an assist/point in two of the last three games (two assists), and he has registered nine points (four goals, five assists) in the last 18 games. The Rangers have posted a 10-0-0 record in games which Vesey has tallied a point in 2017-18.

–       Jesper Fast tallied an assist and posted a plus-one rating. He has notched five points (three goals, two assists) in the last eight contests. The Rangers have posted an 18-8-3 record when Fast has been in the lineup this season, including an 11-1-1 record in games which he has registered a point.

• Alain Vigneault, New York Rangers head coach

On the Carey-Desharnais-Vesey line…

“That line played well for us. They played the way we expected them to play. They had a good north-south game, they spent some good quality minutes in the other team’s end creating some opportunities and they were able to capitalize on a few. There’s no doubt that line played well for us tonight.”

On Paul Carey…

“Early on, he didn’t get a chance to play much, but I would say in the last little while here he’s been called upon and he’s played well and he’s played some good minutes for us. He’s been dependable on both ends and he’s been able to find ways to contribute on the scoresheet, which is a real positive thing. When we win it’s team-oriented, it’s because of contributions are from throughout the lineup, whether it be a blocked shot, whether it be making an offensive play, whether it be a big save from Hank. You look at where our minutes are spread out; it’s a team thing and that’s how we’re going to continue to roll.”

On David Desharnais…

“At the end of the day you’re going to get injuries during the season, and that’s opportunities for other guys. Davey (David Desharnais) stepped up with (Chris Kreider) and (Pavel Buchnevich) and I thought he played well. Tonight with Jimmy (Vesey) and (Paul Carey) he made some really good plays. That line got some good looks and was able to contribute. That is what we expected.”

• Randy Carlyle, Anaheim Ducks head coach

On how Lundqvist’s strong play affected the game… 

“The one thing we didn’t do was get second opportunities. He made the stop, and we didn’t have enough second and third opportunities. He made some big saves for them. We had some chances and just couldn’t find a way until late in the game. Then we gave one up to take us right out of it. I thought our effort was there. Our offensive problem we think we have is we couldn’t find the back of the net.” 

On the team’s inability to create second and third opportunities… 

“I think the rebounds that (Lundqvist) did provide, we didn’t get to. Either we were too tight to the net or they did a good job of blocking us out. We have to be harder to get into those areas as far as saying ‘hey, we’re going to go score’ because that’s where the puck goes, and where the goals are scored in the NHL now. There’s not a lot of highlight-reel goals from outside areas. You look at their goals, one was from the crease, another one was a goal from a guy coming off the bench, the Hayes one. The Grabner goal was off an odd-man rush. It was a rebound that he got a second opportunity on. Those are defendable goals. Again, because we’re in a funk right now as far as providing offense, every little mistake is a huge mistake for us right now.”

• Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers goaltender 

On whether tracking the puck was the best part of his game with all the deflections tonight…

“Overall, I just felt good competing.  The game is all about competing right now with the type of chances that I see.  A lot of one-on-one with the shooter, I try to be on my toes at all times. I think the first period was the key to this game.  We were not on top of our game and we get away with a 1-0 lead.  After that we kind of got our game going a little bit.  It happens sometimes.  They played last night and sometimes when they’re in it, they’re going.  We had a few days off so it took us some time to get going but after that, we played a really strong game.”

On whether he felt fortunate or confident after stopping all 16 shots in the first period and on the overall feeling in the room…

“You never feel like ‘you’ve got this.’ It’s a team game.  I think it’s important that you’re honest with yourself, where we are as a group, how we’re playing.  I think we all felt like we needed to raise our level. They’re a good team.  They move the puck well, they’ve got some speed.  We had to match that.  I thought we stepped up in the second period and made some good plays.  We completed a lot harder too.  When you’re in it in the first period, you know it’s not going to last, so you just have to get through it without getting hurt.  Something is going to happen to change the momentum of the game and it felt like let’s just get out of this one in a tied game.  Then we get the late goal, which was huge.  It really helped us to get going in the second period.” 

On whether he feels as comfortable and sharp as ever…

“I feel really good.  I think the way I take care of myself right now as I am getting older – the way I eat, the way I sleep, the way I prepare – I try to do everything I can to stay on top of my game.  I feel like the team is playing really well and that’s helpful.  I can focus on the shooter a lot.  It’s a big thing for me to commit to the shooter a lot more, feeling that support from the guys around me.  I think the last month and a half I have been feeling really good.”

• Paul Carey, New York Rangers forward

On his two-goal game tonight…

“It’s a big night. It was a lot of fun. Certainly, I was trying to get that third one. I’ve never been able to do that at this level so it was a good time. It’s nice to be rewarded. Our line is playing really well, working really hard, and it’s nice to see some pucks go in.”

On the chemistry with his teammates…

“Just Davy [David Desharnais] himself. He’s a great player. He sees the ice really well. He makes everyone around him a better player. He wins draws and you just have to keep your stick on the ice when you are playing with him.”

On his mentality as a fourth line player…

“I think we know our role, that we are supposed to bring energy, keep pucks out, and eat up some tough minutes out there. But at the same time, that doesn’t change the fact that we all want to score and want to make plays.”

• Mika Zibanejad, New York Rangers forward 

On his first game back…

“I think it was a decent game for the first game back. In the first period, I tried to get into it. I think the skating was there. The positioning, the decision making, and the plays came along and came throughout the game. It was good to be out there again.”

More on coming back into the lineup…

“I think when you are out this long, you have a little bit more jump into your game. Your legs are going and obviously, you’re a little bit more tired after the first, but throughout the game, I felt pretty calm. It’s just the plays, the plays, and the timing, and I think that’s what you just kind of get back into slowly. I’ll get a good practice tomorrow and another game on Thursday.”

On how he felt tonight…

“Nerves were there for the first shift and after that, it was just normal. It was fun to be out there playing again and playing games. It is not fun to skate by yourself, as much as you get to work on a lot of different things. It’s fun to play and fun to be part of a win like this as well.”

• Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks forward

On the late goal of the game…

“It was my fault, one hundred percent. I have to move my feet to the neutral zone and I yelled at Beauchemin at the last minute to try out of a desperation for help. That’s not on him, that’s on me.” 

On the team’s past few losses…

“I hate to say it but I think we are finding ways to lose hockey games at the moment. You have to find ways to win games. We have to dig in, buckle down defensively and win one of these games 1-0, something like that. We have to give our goaltenders more help than that.”

Tomorrow (Wed., Dec. 20): Practice, 12:00 p.m. at MSG Training Center
Next Game: Thurs., Dec. 21 at New Jersey (7:00 p.m. ET – TV: MSG Network)

*Schedule subject to change

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