Pregame Notes: Rangers at Predators 12.29.18

NEW YORK RANGERS at NASHVILLE PREDATORS
Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, 8:00 p.m. ET
Bridgestone Arena - Nashville, TN
MSG 2, Radio: ESPN 1050 AM
Rangers:15-14-7 (37 pts)
Predators: 22-14-2 (46 pts)
THE MATCHUP
The Rangers play their 37th game of the 2018-19 season tonight, Dec. 29, against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena (8:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG 2, Radio: ESPN 1050 AM). Beginning with tomorrow's contest, five of the Blueshirts' next six games are on the road, and all of their five road games over the span are against Western Conference opponents. The Rangers have earned at least one point in seven of their last nine games and in 18 of the last 25 games.

RANGERS VS. PREDATORS
RANGERS-PREDATORS CONNECTIONS
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. PREDATORS
CONNECTING THE DOTS
Several Rangers players have connections with fellow members of the Blueshirts and/or members of the team's coaching staff in addition to being teammates with the Rangers:
YOUTH SERVED
Only nine NHL rookies 20 years old or younger have tallied 13 or more points this season, and the Rangers are the only NHL team that has two of those players (Chytil and Howden). In addition, the Rangers are one of three NHL teams that have at least two rookies (of any age) who have tallied 13 or more points this season (Chytil and Howden). Prior to 2018-19, the last time the Rangers had two rookies 20 years old or younger who recorded 12 or more points in the same season was 1987-88 (Brian Leetch and Ulf Dahlen).
THREE'S COMPANY
Including team goals awarded for a shootout win, the Blueshirts have registered three or more goals in eight of the last nine games, in 19 of the last 26 games, and in 24 of 36 games this season. The Rangers are tied for fifth in the NHL in games with three or more goals in 2018-19.
TEAM EFFORT
Thus far this season, 23 different players have tallied a goal for the Rangers. The Blueshirts are only one of three NHL teams that have had 23 or more players record a goal this season (Vancouver and Vegas).
CLOSE CALL
Four of the Blueshirts' last six games, six of the Rangers' last nine games, and 18 of the team's 36 games this season have been decided by one goal. The Rangers have posted an 8-3-7 record in one-goal games in 2018-19.
WORKING OVERTIME
Each of the Rangers' last two games, four of the Rangers' last six games, six of the team's last nine games, and 13 different games this season have been decided in either overtime or a shootout.
ON POINT
Rangers defensemen have tallied 14 goals over the last 23 contests. At least one Rangers defenseman has recorded a goal in four of the last nine games, in six of the last 13 contests, and in 12 of the last 23 games.
IN REAL TIME
The Blueshirts rank sixth in the NHL in both hits (941) and blocked shots (572) this season and are the only team that ranks sixth or higher in the league in both categories. The Rangers have registered at least 20 hits in 32 of 36 games this season, including each of the last 21 games.
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist has made at least 30 saves in 16 of 27 appearances this season, and he has posted a .900 SV% or better in 20 of those 27 appearances. He is tied for third among NHL goaltenders in games with a .900 SV% or better this season, and he ranks third among NHL goaltenders in games with 30 or more saves in 2018-19.
HEY HEY HAYES
Kevin Hayes enters the contest with a career-high eight-game point streak (five goals, 10 assists over the span). Hayes' eight-game point streak is the longest any Ranger has posted this season, and his three-game assist streak is tied for the longest any Ranger has registered in 2018-19. According to NHL Stats & Information, he is the first Ranger who has tallied at least 15 points over an eight-game span since Jaromir Jagr during the 2005-06 season. Of Hayes' 15 points during his eight-game point streak, 11 have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal. He has posted a multi-point game in six of the eight contests during his point streak. Since the start of his eight-game point streak on Dec. 8, Hayes is tied for fifth in the NHL in points, and he also ranks fourth in the NHL in points per game over the span (1.88).
CHYTIL-MANIA
Among NHL players who are either in their age 18 or age 19 season, Filip Chytil is tied for fourth in goals (six), is tied for fifth in games played (36), and ranks sixth in points (13) this season. He has notched a point in 10 of the last 19 games (six goals, four assists).
KREID-ING HIGH
Chris Kreider enters the contest with a three-game goal/point streak (four goals) and has tallied a goal in four of the last five games (five goals). He leads the Rangers in goals this season (19), and he is also tied for the NHL lead in goals on tipped shots in 2018-19 (six). Kreider is one of two NHL players who have recorded at least 15 goals and 70 hits this season (Alex Ovechkin).
VESEY DOES IT
Jimmy Vesey has recorded a point in six of the last eight games (one goal, five assists) and in seven of the last 10 games (two goals, six assists). Thus far this season, 17 of Vesey's 20 points have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal.
WELCOME MATS
Mats Zuccarello has tallied 223 assists in his NHL career, and he is two assists away from tying Anders Hedberg for the most assists by a Ranger who was born and trained outside of North America in franchise history. He has recorded an assist/point in three of six games since returning to the Rangers' lineup following an injury (three assists, all on the power play). The Rangers have registered five power play goals in the six games since he returned to the lineup, and he has been on the ice for four of the five power play goals.
\ Zuccarello is two assists away from tying Hedberg for the most assists by a Ranger who was born and trained outside of North America in franchise history*
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
Penalty Kill:
UPCOMING MILESTONES
INJURIES (110 Man-Games Lost to Injury)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
REMEMBERING 1993-94
Mike Richter extended his unbeaten streak to a franchise-record 20 games (17-0-3 record) by earning a win in the Rangers' 6-3 victory against the Senators on December 19, 1993 at MSG. Richter broke the previous record of 19 games, which was established by Dave Kerr in 1939-40.