RANGERS LOOK TO POP THE BLACKHEADS…ER.. .BLACKHAWKS AT MSG TOMORROW 

NEW YORK RANGERS vs. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2018, 8:00 p.m. ET
Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
Rangers: 21-13-5 (47 pts)
Blackhawks: 18-14-6 (42 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 40th game of the 2017-18 season tomorrow, Jan. 3, against the Chicago Blackhawks in an Original Six matchup at Madison Square Garden (8:00 p.m. ET – TV: NBCSN; Radio: ESPN 1050 AM). The Blueshirts enter the contest with a three-game point streak (2-0-1 record). The Rangers have earned at least one point in seven of the last eight games (5-1-2 record) and in nine of the last 11 games (6-2-3 record). New York has earned a win in 12 of its last 19 games (12-4-3 record), and the Rangers have outscored their opponents, 60-42, over the last 19 games. The Blueshirts have won 18 of their last 27 games (18-6-3 record) and 20 of their last 31 contests (20-8-3 record). In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one point in 25 of their last 33 games (20-8-5 record). 

RANGERS VS. BLACKHAWKS

• All-Time: 241-247-98-2 (122-116-55-0 at home; 119-131-43-2 on the road)
• 2017-18: Tomorrow’s game is the second of two meetings between the Rangers and Blackhawks, and the only meeting between the two teams at MSG. The Rangers have posted a 0-1-0 record (0-0-0 at home; 0-1-0 on the road), following the Blackhawks’ 6-3 win on Nov. 15 at Chicago. Rick Nash tallied two points (one goal, one assist) in the contest, while Kevin Hayes and Mika Zibanejad each registered a goal.
• Since Dec. 11, 2002, 15 of 19 games between the Rangers and Blackhawks have been decided by one goal or fewer, and 18 of the 19 games have been decided by two goals or fewer. Since Nov. 16, 1995, 28 of 31 meetings between New York and Chicago have been decided by two or fewer goals.
• The Rangers have earned at least one point in 12 of their last 18 contests against Chicago, dating back to Nov. 16, 2003 (9-6-1-2 record over the span).

RANGERS-BLACKHAWKS CONNECTIONS

• Kevin Hayes was selected by Chicago in the first round (24th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.
• Artem Anisimov played parts of four seasons with the Rangers (2008-09 – 2011-12) and was selected by the Rangers in the second round (54th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
• Michal Rozsival played parts of six seasons with the Rangers (2005-06 – 2010-11).
• Blackhawks Assistant Coach Ulf Samuelsson played parts of four seasons with the Rangers (1995-96 – 1998-99) and served as an Assistant Coach with the Rangers for three seasons (2013-14 – 2015-16).
• Rangers Video Coach Jerry Dineen and Blackhawks Assistant Coach Kevin Dineen are brothers.
• Blackhawks Assistant General Manager Norm Maciver played parts of three seasons with the Rangers (1986-87 – 1988-89).
• J.T. Miller and Brandon Saad both played youth hockey in the Pittsburgh, PA-area, including the Pittsburgh Hornets organization. Miller and Saad represented the United States at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship and were teammates with Team North America at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
• Kevin Shattenkirk and Patrick Kane were both selected in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Shattenkirk and Kane were teammates with the U.S. National Team Development Program prior to being drafted. In addition, Shattenkirk, Kane, and Ryan McDonagh represented the United States at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
• Rick Nash, Duncan Keith, Patrick Sharp, and Jonathan Toews all helped Canada earn a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Nash, Keith, Toews, and Brent Seabrook also helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
• J.T. Miller, Jimmy Vesey, and Ryan Hartman helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Brady Skjei and Ryan Hartman helped the United States win a gold medal at the 2012 IIHF World U18 Championship. Skjei, Hartman, and Vinnie Hinostroza also represented the United States at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.
• Brady Skjei and Vinnie Hinostroza represented the United States at the 2016 IIHF World Championship.
• Kevin Hayes, Brady Skjei, and Nick Schmaltz all represented the United States at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
• Nick Holden and Artem Anisimov were teammates with the Blue Jackets for part of one season (2012-13).
• Kevin Shattenkirk and John Hayden both attended Brunswick School in Connecticut (Shattenkirk – 2003-04 and 2004-05; Hayden – 2009-10 and 2010-11).
• Marc Staal and Patrick Sharp both grew up in Thunder Bay, Ontario. 

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. BLACKHAWKS

• Henrik Lundqvist – 11 GP, 6-3-2, 2.40 GAA, .921 SV% – Lundqvist has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of 11 career appearances against the Blackhawks, and he has helped the Rangers earn at least one point in all eight of those contests. He has also made at least 30 saves in seven of 11 career appearances against Chicago.
• Rick Nash – 61 GP, 26-28-54 – Nash has registered more assists and points against Chicago than against any other NHL opponent in his career. He has tallied eight points (three goals, five assists) in his last 14 games against the Blackhawks.
• Kevin Shattenkirk – 35 GP, 1-14-15 – Shattenkirk has registered eight points (one goal, seven assists) in his last 12 games against Chicago.
• Kevin Hayes – 7 GP, 2-2-4 – Hayes has tallied four points (two goals, two assists) in the last five games against the Blackhawks.
• Mika Zibanejad – 6 GP, 3-0-3 – Zibanejad has recorded a goal/point in three of six career games against Chicago.

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).
• Brady Skjei and Vinni Lettieri were teammates at the University of Minnesota for two seasons (2013-14 and 2014-15).
• 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.

HOME COOKING

The Rangers have earned at least one point in 14 of their last 16 home games, dating back to Oct. 26 (13-2-1 record). The Blueshirts have outscored their opponents, 59-33, over the last 16 home contests. The Rangers have earned at least one point in 18 of 24 home games this season (15-6-3 record). New York is tied for the NHL lead in points (33) and ranks fourth in the NHL in wins (15) at home in 2017-18.

TEAM EFFORT

The Rangers are the only NHL team that has 14 players who have recorded 13 or more points this season. The Blueshirts are also the only NHL team that has nine players who have registered eight or more goals thus far in 2017-18.

WINNING WAYS

Since Oct. 31, the Rangers are tied for second in the NHL in wins (18), only trailing Washington (19). The Blueshirts have also posted a .722 points percentage over the span (18-6-3 record in 27 games), which is tied for the second-best in the NHL over the stretch (tied with Nashville; Tampa Bay – .740).

MAKING THE DIFFERENCE

The Rangers are one of five teams that rank tied for 10th or better in the NHL in both goals per game and goals against per game in 2017-18. The Blueshirts have posted a plus-14 goal differential this season, which is the best among all teams in the Metropolitan Division and ranks fourth among Eastern Conference teams.

SAVING THE DAY

Over the last 10 games (since Dec. 11), Henrik Lundqvist and Ondrej Pavelec have posted a .948 SV% (349 saves on 368 shots). One of the two goaltenders has made at least 30 saves in nine of the last 10 contests. In addition, Lundqvist or Pavelec has posted a .938 SV% or better in eight of 10 games over the span.

WORKING OVERTIME

Each of the Rangers’ last three games, as well as four of their last five games and six of their last 10 contests, have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. New York has posted a 7-5 record in 12 games decided in either overtime or a shootout in 2017-18.

TWO GOOD

The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in five of the last eight games, in seven of the last 11 games, in 12 of the last 20 games, and in 14 of the last 23 games. The Rangers rank seventh in the NHL in goals against per game this season (2.69).

CLOSE CALL

Twelve of the Blueshirts’ last 17 games, including eight of their last 10 games and all of their last five games, have been decided by one goal. In addition, 22 of the Rangers’ last 28 games, as well as 30 of their 39 games this season, have been decided by two or fewer goals.

AV SQUAD

Alain Vigneault earned his 635th career win as an NHL head coach on Jan. 1 against Buffalo, passing Darryl Sutter for sole possession of 11th place on the NHL’s all-time wins list among head coaches. He leads all NHL head coaches in wins since the start of the 2006-07 season (526). 

KING HENRIK

Among NHL goaltenders who have made at least 20 starts this season, Henrik Lundqvist is tied for seventh in SV% (.922). He has posted a 4-1-2 record, along with a 2.08 GAA and a .943 SV% (248 saves on 263 shots) in his last seven appearances, and he has made at least 30 saves in each of those appearances. In addition, he has posted a 16-5-2 record, along with a 2.36 GAA, a .930 SV%, and 1 SO in 24 appearances since Oct. 31; he is tied for second in the NHL in wins over the span, and he also ranks third in SV% among goaltenders who have appeared in at least 20 games over the stretch.

Lundqvist is approaching several milestones. With his next two wins, he will accomplish the following feats:

• Next win (19th of the 2017-18 season/424th of his NHL career)
  • would pass Tony Esposito for sole possession of eighth place on the NHL’s all-time wins list

• The following win (20th of the 2017-18 season/425th of his NHL career)
  • would become the first goaltender in NHL history to earn 20 or more wins in each of his first 13 seasons, as well as the first goaltender in NHL history to earn at least 20 wins in 13 consecutive seasons at any point during the course of a career

Lundqvist made his 20,259th career NHL save on Jan. 1 against Buffalo, passing Nikolai Khabibulin for 14th place on the league’s all-time saves list (since the stat began to be tracked in 1955-56). In addition, Lundqvist passed Khabibulin for the most career saves by a goaltender who was born outside of North America in NHL history. 

WELCOME MATS

Mats Zuccarello has tallied a point in 13 of the last 19 games (five goals, 11 assists), and he leads the Rangers in assists (22) and points (30) this season. He has registered at least 30 points in each of the last five seasons.

CAPTAIN MAC

Ryan McDonagh is one of five NHL defensemen who have registered at least 18 points and a plus-10 rating this season (Doughty, Hedman, Pietrangelo, and Sergachev).

IT’S MILLER TIME

J.T. Miller recorded the game-winning goal in overtime on Jan. 1 against Buffalo. He has tallied a goal in four of the last eight games. Miller ranks second on the Rangers in assists (19) and points (27) in 2017-18.

UP FOR GRABS

Michael Grabner is one of three NHL players who has registered at least 18 goals and a plus-15 rating this season (Kucherov and W. Karlsson). He ranks second in the NHL in even-strength goals in 2017-18 (18).

SPECIAL TEAMS

Power Play:

• The Rangers were 1-for-3 (4:28) on Jan. 1 at Buffalo.

Penalty Kill:

• The Rangers were 4-for-5 (9:19) on Jan. 1 at Buffalo.
• New York ranks fourth in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this season (84.0%; 110-for-131).
• The Blueshirts have not allowed a power-play goal in eight of the last 12 games (40-for-44; 90.9%) and in nine of the last 14 games (44-for-49; 89.8%).
• The Rangers have killed off 80 of their opponents’ last 91 power play opportunities (87.9%).

UPCOMING MILESTONES

• Mats Zuccarello – 2 assists away from 200 in his NHL career; 6 goals away from 100 in his NHL career; 8 points away from 300 in his NHL career

INJURIES (28 Man-Games Lost to Injury)

• Chris Kreider (blood clot – right arm) – has missed two games

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

• Dec. 28 – Recalled Vinni Lettieri from Hartford (AHL)

THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY

• Jan. 2, 2012 – The Rangers played their first regular-season outdoor game and defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-2, in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Henrik Lundqvist made 34 saves, including one on a penalty shot attempt by the Flyers’ Daniel Briere with 19.6 seconds remaining in regulation to seal the win for the Rangers.
• Jan. 3, 1968 – Ron Stewart skated in his 1,000th career NHL game as the Rangers tied the Boston Bruins, 5-5, at MSG.
• Jan. 3, 1971 – Dave Balon registered two goals, including the game-winning goal with 55 seconds remaining in regulation, as the Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 6-5, at MSG.
• Jan. 3, 1973 – Ed Giacomin registered his 41st career shutout with the Rangers, passing Dave Kerr to become the franchise’s all-time shutouts leader. Giacomin made 26 saves as the Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Kings, 3-0, at MSG. Giacomin earned 49 shutouts with the Rangers in his career and remained the franchise’s all-time leader in shutouts until Henrik Lundqvist broke his record in 2014.
• Jan. 3, 1979 – Six different Rangers registered a goal against Ken Dryden and the Blueshirts snapped the Canadiens’ 15-game unbeaten streak, defeating Montreal, 6-2, at MSG. John Davidson stopped 25 of 27 shots he faced to earn the win.
• Jan. 3, 1987 – Don Maloney tied a single-game franchise record by recording five assists in a 5-2 Rangers win against the Quebec Nordiques.
• Jan. 3, 1994 – The Rangers hosted the Florida Panthers for the first time, and defeated Florida, 3-2, at MSG. The Rangers held pre-game ceremonies to recognize Mike Gartner’s 600th career NHL goal, as well as Mark Messier’s 1,000th career NHL game and 800th career NHL assist.
• Jan. 3, 1996 – Ray Ferraro recorded a hat trick, and Mark Messier, Alexei Kovalev, and Luc Robitaille all registered three points as the Rangers defeated the Montreal Canadiens, 7-4, at MSG. Messier passed Bryan Trottier for sole possession of sixth place on the NHL’s all-time points list in the contest.
• Jan. 3, 1998 – Wayne Gretzky tallied two goals, including the game-winning goal with 22 seconds remaining in regulation, and Dan Cloutier earned his first career NHL win while making his first career NHL appearance as the Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals, 3-2.
• Jan. 3, 2015 – The Rangers registered a goal on three consecutive power plays in a span of 2:32 in a 6-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres at MSG. Thirteen different Rangers tallied a point in the contest.

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