RANGERS RUNDOWN
- The New York Rangers complete their 11th back-to-back of the season when the Los Angeles Kings come to Madison Square Garden (5:00 PM ET - TV: MSG Network - Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). In the second half of back-to-backs this season, the Blueshirts are 5-4-1.
- The Blueshirts have earned a point in 10 of their last 13 games (8-3-2) and 28 of their 36 contests (23-8-5).
- At home, the Blueshirts have won five of their last six games and 8-3-0 in their last 11 home games.
- New York has earned a point in six-straight home games (4-0-2) against the Kings and have won three of four overall against them.
- The Rangers defensemen group has collected 142 points, tied for the second most in the NHL and 112 assists, tied for the third most in the NHL.
- New York's 75 third period goals are the fourth most in the league and plus-21 third period goal differential ranks third in the NHL.
- The Blueshirts' 16 comeback wins are tied for the third most in the NHL and their seven third-period comeback wins are tied for the fourth most.
- When scoring first this year, the Blueshirts are 22-4-4 and 17-2-3 when leading after the second period.
- New York has tallied the seventh most hits in the NHL (1,513).
- On Saturday afternoon, the Rangers acquired Will Lockwood and 2026 seventh round pick from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Vitali Kravtsov.
Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Kings - 02.26.23
RANGERS AND KINGS CONNECTIONS
BLUESHIRTS SINCE DECEMBER 5
Since December 5, the Rangers have a 22-7-4 record for 48 points. In that span, their 22 wins and 48 points are the third most in the league.
MIKA'S MISSION
Mika Zibanejad has 13 points in last 10 games (8G-5A) and eight goals in his last 10 games. Zibanejad has a team-high tying 16 multi-point games, with three in his last six contests.
With 30 goals this season, it marks his third 30-goal season with the Rangers/in his career (2022-23, 2019-20, 2018-19). Zibanejad is one of 11 players in franchise history to notch the benchmark three or more times.
Zibanejad's eight multi-goal games are tied for the third most in the NHL.
Zibanejad has tallied 17 of his goals on the power play, a new career-high for him and tied for the second most in the NHL.
ADAM'S APPLES
Adam Fox has 10 goals and 44 assists for 54 points this season. Among NHL defensemen, Fox ranks fifth in assists and tied for fifth in points.
Fox is the sixth defenseman in Rangers history to record consecutive 50-point seasons, joining Brian Leetch (1995-96- 1998-99, 1988-89 - 1991-92 & 2000-01 - 2001-02), James Patrick (1989-90 - 1991-92 & 1986-87 - 1987-88), Reijo Ruotsalainen (1981-82 - 1985-86), Ron Greschner (1978-79 - 1980-81) and Brad Park (1971-72 - 1974-75).
It his third straight season with 40-plus assists as he became the fourth defenseman in Rangers history to achieve the feat, joining Brian Leetch (4x), Brad Park (4x) and James Patrick (3x).
When he records multiple points, the Rangers are 12-0-0.
KREIDING TO MAKE HISTORY
Chris Kreider has 25 goals on the season and six on the power play. He has points in eight of his last 11 games (6G-5A), including four goals in his last six games.
Kreider continues to climb the Rangers all-time leader board in goals.
PANARIN'S POINTS
Artemi Panarin has 11 points (6G-5A) over his last seven games and points in seven of his last 10 contests (6G-9A).
Panarin has 16 multi-point games this season, including four in the month of February.
Since 2015-16, Panarin's 68 three-plus point games are the third most in the NHL behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. His 91 multi-point games since 2019-20 are the fifth most in the NHL.
Panarin has recorded his fourth 40-assist season with New York, becoming the ninth player with as many such campaigns for the Rangers, joining Brian Leetch (10x), Andy Bathgate (9x), Rod Gilbert (9x), Jean Ratelle (7x), Mark Messier (6x), James Patrick (5x), Walt Tkaczuk (5x) and Brad Park (4x).
BLUESHIRT BULLETS
- Vincent Trocheck has points in seven of his last nine games (3G-7A) and has 13 points (4G-9A) in his last 13 contests.
- Vladimir Tarasenko has points (2G-2A) in four of his first eight games with the team. Tarasenko has multi-point games in three of his last four contests against LA (2G-4A).
- Filip Chytil has points in eight of his last 13 games (7G-4A) and in his last 21 games, Chytil has 18 points (11G-7A). With one more goal, Chytil can become the seventh Rangers player in the past 20 years to record a 20-goal season at age 23 or younger, joining Pavel Buchnevich (21 in 2018-19), J.T. Miller (22 in 2015-16), Chris Kreider (21 in 2014-15), Derek Stepan (21 in 2010-11), Brandon Dubinsky (20 in 2009-10) and Petr Prucha (30 in 2005-06).
- Kaapo Kakko has 12 points (3G-9A) in his last 15 games.
- Alexis Lafreniere has points in six of his last 10 games (4G-2A) and nine of his last 14 games (5G-5A).
- The Rangers own a 60-12-4 record when Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider all three record a point.
- Igor Shesterkin is 25-10-7 on the season and is 15-6-4 in his last 25 starts.
- Jacob Trouba ranks second in the NHL with 142 blocked shots.
- Jaroslav Halak has points (7-1-1) in eight of his last nine starts.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- The Rangers have scored a power play goal in three of their last five games and five of their last eight games.
