Blueshirt Breakdown: NYR 5 vs. NJD 2 - Game 6

GOING THE DISTANCE - The Rangers forced their 18th Game 7 in franchise history and improved to 6-1 over their last seven elimination games. In those 17 previous Game 7s, the Blueshirts are 11-6. New York improved to 24-22 overall and 15-9 at home all-time in Game 6s. The Rangers and Devils will meet in a Game 7 for the third time, following the 1994 Conference Finals and 1992 Division Semifinals - New York emerged victorious in both previous instances.

• Chris Kreider tied the NHL record for most career goals (16) in potential elimination games, held by former Rangers captain Mark Messier. Kreider became the fourth player in Rangers history to score six goals in a single series. The only other Rangers players to do so are Adam Graves (6 in 1996 CQF), Mike Gartner (6 in 1992 DSF) and Bruce MacGregor (6 in 1974 QF). Kreider scored his fifth power-play goal in the 2023 First Round. Chris Kontos (6 in 1989 DSF w/ LAK) is the only player in Stanley Cup Playoffs history with more in a single series.
  - Adam Foxnotched two assists and now has 31 career playoff points in 29 GP. He became the fifth-fastest defenseman in NHL history to reach 30 career postseason points, trailing Brian Leetch (26 GP), Al MacInnis (27 GP), Denis Potvin (28 GP) and Bobby Orr (28 GP).
  - Mika Zibanejad scored his first goal of these playoffs and added an assist. Zibanejad has five goals and eight assists for 13 points in his last seven elimination games.
  - Igor Shesterkin improved to 6-2 over his career in elimination games. Shesterkin's .750 winning percentage in those contests ranks tied for first in franchise history (min. 3 GP) alongside Bert Gardiner (3-1, .750 W%), while only Henrik Lundqvist (16-11) owns more victories.
  - Braden Schneider scored his first career playoff goal.