FIRST IN SCORE - The Blueshirts registered the first goal of the game in tonight's contest. The Rangers tallied the first goal of the game in 36 different contests in 2017-18 and posted a 24-10-2 record in those 36 games.
FINISHING THE JOB -The Rangers won tonight's game after entering the third period with a lead. The Rangers posted a 22-0-1 record in games which they held a lead entering the third period in 2017-18. The Blueshirts led the NHL in winning percentage when leading entering the third period last season (.957). Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have posted a 216-7-9 record in 232 regular season games in which they have held a lead entering the third period. New York's .931 winning percentage when leading entering the third period over the span ranks first in the NHL.
SHOOTING GALLERY -The Rangers registered 39 shots on goal in tonight's contest, including 14 shots on goal during the second*period, as 16 of 18 skaters recorded at least one shot on goal in the game. The Blueshirts recorded 30 or more shots on goal in 45 of 82 games in 2017-18.
HITTING MACHINE -* New York was credited with 28 hits in tonight's game, and 13 of 18 skaters registered at least one hit in the contest.
BLOCK PARTY -The Rangers were credited with 17 blocked shots in tonight's game, and 11of 18 skaters recorded at least one blocked shot in the contest.
Three Stars on Broadway
Vinni Lettieritallied the game-winning goal in overtime and posted a plus-two rating in 20:21 of ice time. Lettieri tied for fifth among AHL rookies in goals (23) and tied for sixth among AHL rookies in power play goals (nine) last season. In addition, he led Hartford in goals and power play goals, and ranked third in points (36) and shots on goal (142) in 2017-18. Lettieri recorded his first career NHL goal/point while making his NHL debut on Dec. 29, 2017 at Detroit.
Neal Pionktallied two assists while skating in a team-high 24:23 of ice time. Pionk ranked second among NHL rookie defensemen (min. 10 games played) in assists per game (0.46) and ranked fourth among NHL rookie defensemen in points per game (0.50) last season. From the time he made his NHL debut on Feb. 9, 2018 until the end of the 2017-18 season, Pionk led all NHL rookie defensemen in assists (13) and tied for second among NHL rookie defensemen in points (14).
Henrik Lundqviststopped 14 of 15 shots he faced through two periods of tonight's game. Lundqvist enters the 2018-19 season as the Rangers' all-time leader in several categories, including wins (431), appearances (805), and shutouts (63). He has earned 20 or more wins in each of his 13 NHL seasons, and he is the only goaltender in NHL history who has earned at least 20 wins in 13 consecutive seasons at any point in a career. Lundqvist was named the Rangers' MVP (as chosen by the media) and received the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award (as chosen by the fans) last season. Lundqvist became the fifth Ranger to win both awards in the same season since 1987-88, which was the first year the Steven McDonald Extra Award was presented.
