Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Flyers 04.23.21

TONIGHT'S GAME
The Rangers play their 48th game of the 2020-21 season, continue a five-game homestand, conclude a two-game set, and conclude a back-to-back set, tonight, Apr. 23, against the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network, Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts have won four of the last six games (4-2-0 record). The Rangers have also earned at least one point in six of the last eight games (5-2-1 record), in 10 of the last 13 games (8-3-2 record), and in 16 of the last 22 games (13-6-3 record).
RANGERS VS. FLYERS
- All-Time: 135-125-37-10 (70-53-23-6 at home; 65-72-14-4 on the road) - 2020-21: The Rangers are playing the Flyers in the eighth and final game between the two teams, and the fourth and final meeting at MSG. The Blueshirts have posted a 3-3-1 record, and the Flyers won the last meeting between the two teams, 3-2, last night at MSG. The Rangers defeated the Flyers, 9-0, on Mar. 17 at MSG, and the nine goals were the most in one game against the Flyers in franchise history. Five of the seven contests have been decided by one goal, and two contests have been decided in either overtime or a shootout. Mika Zibanejad leads all skaters with 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in the season series, and he became the first player in NHL history to register six or more points in consecutive games played against one opponent within the same regular season (Mar. 17 and Mar. 25). He tallied six points in the second period on Mar. 17 at MSG, becoming the second player in NHL history to record six points in one period of a game. Zibanejad's 16 points against Philadelphia are the most by a player in one season against the Flyers in franchise history.

HART-EMI
Artemi Panarin ranks second in the NHL in points per game (1.47) and assists per game (min. two games played - 1.00) this season, only trailing Connor McDavid in each category, and he also leads the NHL (min. 20 games played) in points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 (3.33) and assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 (2.30) in 2020-21. In 22 games since returning to the Rangers' lineup on Mar. 13, Panarin has recorded 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) and a plus-18 rating, and he has been on the ice for 45 of the Rangers' 86 goals. The Rangers have posted an 18-4-4 record in the games Panarin has notched a point in 2020-21. He has recorded 96 points (35 goals, 61 assists) in 58 career games at MSG, including 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) in 17 home games this season. Panarin has registered eight different three-point games in his 17 games at MSG in 2020-21. His 2.00 points per game average at home this season would be the best by a Ranger in one season (min. two games played) in franchise history. Panarin is the only NHL player who has recorded 53 or more points and has been assessed two or fewer penalty minutes this season.
WHAT THE FOX SAYS
Adam Fox leads NHL defensemen in assists (37), is tied for first in points (42), ranks second in power play assists (19) and power play points (21), and is tied for third in takeaways (30) in 2020-21.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Rangers have outscored their opponent on special teams in 19 games in 2020-21 and have posted a 14-3-2 record in those 19 games.
Power Play:
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were 4-for-6 (7:53) last night vs. Philadelphia. - The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in 28 of the last 40 games (103-for-119; 86.6%), including 22 of the last 33 games (81-for-96; 84.4%). - The Rangers have killed off 106 of their opponents' 123 power play opportunities over the last 41 games (86.2%) and have held their opponents to only 159 shots on goal during their opponents' 123 power play opportunities. - New York ranks fifth in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this season (83.9%). - The Rangers rank third in the NHL in shorthanded goals in 2020-21 (seven). - The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in 30 of 47 games this season. - Since Jan. 30, the Rangers' 86.6% penalty kill efficiency is the best in the NHL.