Blueshirt Breakdown: NYR 3 vs. PIT 0 - 04.07.22

KEEP ON ROLLING- The Rangers won their second-straight game and have now earned a point in seven of their last eight games (6-1-1), nine of their last 11 games (8-2-1), and 11 of their last 14 games (10-2-1). New York has notched 98 points for the 11th time in franchise history and 46 wins for the 10th time in team history. It marks the fourth time in team history that New York has had 46 or more wins through 72 games (2021-22, 2014-15, 1972-73, 1971-72) and fifth time it has 98 or more points through 72 contests (2021-22, 2014-15, 1972-73, 1971-72, 1970-71). The Blueshirts' 38 regulation wins rank fourth in the NHL while its 98 points are tied for the third most in the league.
GARDEN PARTY - New York has earned a point in four of their last five games (3-1-1), seven of their last nine (6-2-1) and 12 of their last 15 home contests (10-3-2). The Rangers' .735 home point percentage ranks sixth in the NHL. Seven of their last 10 remaining regular season games will come at MSG.
TACKLING THE EAST - The Blueshirts improved to 30-9-2 against Eastern Conference opponents, marking the 14th time in team history they have won 30 games against teams in their own conference. The last time they reached the feat was the 2015-16 campaign (30).
PEN(S) TO PAPER - New York and Pittsburgh finished its regular season series against each other with the Rangers finishing with a 3-1-0 record against the Penguins. The Blueshirts finished a season series against Pittsburgh with a point percentage greater than .500 (.750) for the first time since the 2017-18 season (.625).
IN THE LEADOFF - The Rangers improved to 29-4-2 when scoring the first goal of the game, their .829 win percentage when scoring first ranks fourth in the NHL. At home, the Blueshirts are 17-1-0 when scoring first, the second-best win percentage in that category (.944).
KILLING ME SMALLS- For a fourth-straight game, the Rangers went perfect on the penalty kill (3-for-3). In those four games, New York has notched a 12-for-12 mark on the kill. It marks the fifth time this season they have recorded such streak. In the NHL, the Blueshirts rank ninth in penalty kill percentage (81.6).

• Frank Vatranoopened the scoring with his 16th goal of the season and his sixth as a Ranger. Vatrano has points in six of his last eight games and has totaled eight points (6G-2A) in 12 games with New York. Vatrano's goal stood up as the game-winner, his third of the season and 17th of his career. Vatrano is one goal away from the 100th of his career.
  - Chris Kreidernotched his 21st assist of the season and has points in back-to-back games (1G-2A). In his last 10 games, Kreider has seven goals and six assists for 13 points and a plus-6 rating.
  - Mika Zibanejadrecorded his 20th multi-point game of the year (2A), tying Chris Kreider for the second most on New York. With his two assists, Zibanejad established a career-high with 46 helpers. His 73 points are one shy of his career-high total set in 2018-19. Zibanejad has points in eight of his last 11 games (2G-9A) and 15 points (5G-10A) in his last 14 games.
  - Igor Shesterkin stopped all 30 shots faced and posted his fourth shutout of the year. Shesterkin's 33 wins rank tied for third in the league while his .935 save percentage ranks first in the NHL.
  - Artemi Panarinscored a goal, his 20th of the year, in his 500th career game. Since making his NHL debut with Chicago (against NYR) to begin the 2015-16 season, Panarin ranks third in assists (373), fifth in points (558), and fourth in plus/minus (+127). The only active players with more points through 500 career games are Sidney Crosby (706), Connor McDavid (680), Alex Ovechkin (633) and Evgeni Malkin (611). Panarin has points in eight of his last nine games (3G-10A) and has 23 points (4G-19A) in his last 15 games.
  - Andrew Copptallied an assist and has tallied a point in nine of his last 10 games (3G-10A) and eight of his nine contests (3G-7A) with New York.
  - Jacob Troubacollected his 25th assist of the year, tying his second most of his career. Trouba has points in two of his past three games (2A).
  - Dryden Huntscored his fifth goal of the season, a career-high.
  - Barclay Goodrow played in his 400th career game. The two-time Stanley Cup champion has split his 400 contests between New York (69), Tampa Bay (63) and San Jose (268).