Pavel Buchnevichregistered two points (one goal, one assist), including a power play goal,*recorded five shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating. He was named the game's Third Star tonight. Buchnevich has posted a multi-point game in each of the first two preseason games this year (two goals, two assists in the two contests). He tied for the team lead in game-winning goals (four), ranked second in assists (29), primary assists (18), and power play assists (12), tied for second in power play points (17), ranked fourth in points (43), tied for fourth in even strength assists (17), and ranked fifth in power play goals (five) last season. In 2017-18, Buchnevich became the sixth player of Russian nationality to register at least 40 points in a season with the Rangers in franchise history. The only other players of Russian nationality who have tallied 40 or more points in a season with the Blueshirts are Alexei Kovalev (four different seasons), Sergei Nemchinov (three different seasons), Sergei Zubov, Nikolai Zherdev, and Artem Anisimov.
Ryan Spoonertallied two points (one goal, one assist), both on the power play, and registered two shots on goal in tonight's contest. Spooner recorded 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in 20 games with the Rangers last season after he was acquired from Boston on Feb. 25, 2018. From the time he was acquired until the end of the 2017-18 season, Spooner tied for the team lead in assists and also tied for the team lead in points.
Filip Chytilrecorded a goal and logged 19:17 of ice time. Chytil tallied three points (one goal, two assists) in nine games with the Rangers last season, and he became the first 18-year-old to record a goal, assist, and point with the Rangers since Manny Malhotra during the 1998-99 season. When he made his NHL debut on Oct. 5, 2017, Chytil became the fourth-youngest player (18 years, 30 days old) to appear in a game with the Rangers in franchise history.
Matt Beleskeyregistered a goal, tied for the game-high with three blocked shots, and tied for the team-high with three hits.
Mika Zibanejadnotched a power play assist, led all skaters with 17 faceoff wins (17-for-21; 81.0%), and registered three shots on goal in 22:59 of ice time. He established career-highs in several categories last season, including goals (27), power play goals (14), power play points (21), shots on goal (212), and average ice time (17:58). In addition, Zibanejad led the Rangers in goals, power play goals, power play points, faceoff wins (654), and faceoffs taken (1,287) in 2017-18.
Brendan Smithtallied an assist, was credited with two hits, and posted a plus-one rating in 18:39 of ice time.
John Gilmournotched an assist and tied for the game-high with three blocked shots.
Dustin Tokarskistopped 10 of 11 shots he faced after entering the game in relief in the second period.
Tony DeAngelorecorded five shots on goal and tied for the game-high with three blocked shots while skating in a game-high 23:54 of ice time.
Jimmy Vesey*led all skaters with six shots on goal in 21:39 of ice time.
