Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Panthers 12.29.21

TONIGHT'S GAME
RANGERS VS. PANTHERS
All-Time: 56-31-6-8 (29-15-4-3 at home; 27-16-2-5 on the road)
2021-22:
Nov. 8 vs. FLA
In their first matchup of the season, the Rangers handed Florida its first regulation loss of the season when they outlasted a late Panthers surge. Chris Kreider opened the scoring with his ninth goal of the season and was followed up by Adam Fox tallying the first shorthanded goal of the season by a Ranger. New York tacked on two more goals in the second period, taking a 4-0 lead to the third. On the back of Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers pulled out the 4-3 win, with Shesterkin making 42 saves.
Dec. 29 at FLA
Feb. 1 vs. FLA

INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. PANTHERS
Chris Kreider - 24 GP, 8G-12A-20P - Kreider has points (5G-7A) in six of his last eight games and is a plus-7 against the Panthers dating back to November 28, 2017. Kreider has two three-point games and three multi-point games in his career against Florida. With 20 points, Kreider has the fifth most points (tied) all-time for a Ranger against the Panthers, one point shy of surpassing Petr Nedved for sole possession of fifth.
Mika Zibanejad - 21 GP, 7G-8A-15P - Zibanejad has points in five-straight games (4G-5A) and eight of his past 10 games against Florida. Zibanejad had two assists in the first matchup between the teams on Nov. 8. On Oct. 23, 2018, Zibanejad registered two goals and two assists for four points in a 5-2 New York win.
Artemi Panarin - 12 GP, 2G-13A-15P - Panarin is currently riding an eight-game point streak (2G-12A) against the Panthers, including a four- point(1G-3A) output on Oct. 11, 2018 while with Columbus. Panarin had two assists in the first matchup between the teams.
Goalies vs. FLA
Igor Shesterkin (1-0-0, 3 GA, .933 SV%, 3.00 GAA)
Alexandar Georgiev (1-0-0, 2 GA, .947 SV%, 2.00 GAA)
Keith Kinkaid (2-1-1, 10 GA, .928 SV%, 2.50 GAA)
RANGERS AND PANTHERS CONNECTIONS
THE BLUESHIRTS AT 30
The Rangers carry a 19-7-4 record for 42 points through the first 30 games of the season. The Rangers' 19 wins are tied for the fifth most through 30 games in franchise history and most since 2016-17 (20). New York's 42 points through 30 games are the fifth most in franchise history and most since 1993-94.
The last time the Rangers had a .700 points percentage or better on Christmas day was the 1993-94 season (.729).
New York has wins in nine of their last 13 games, 13 of their last 18 games and points in 17 of their last 22 games (14-5-3). The Rangers have at least one point in 23 of their 30 games this season.
In the NHL, the Blueshirts rank:
I-GOR, I-GOR
During the holiday break, Igor Shesterkin was activated off injured reserve after missing eight games (Dec. 4-17). Shesterkin has proven to be one of the best goaltenders in the NHL this season as he ranked among the best before his injury:
Shesterkin Among NHL Goaltenders on Dec. 3
Wins (13) - T-1st
Save % (.937) - 3rd (min. 7 games)
GAA (2.05) - T-4th (min. 10 games)
At the time of his injury, Shesterkin's 13 wins through the first 22 games of the Rangers' season were the most for a Blueshirts goaltender since Ed Giacomin in 1969-70.
With a win tonight, Shesterkin can earn his 40th career win in only his 66th career game, something no Ranger goalie has done and only 22 goaltenders in NHL history have accomplished.
RACKING UP THE ROAD WINS
No team has played more road games than the Rangers this season (17) and only Carolina has won more road games than New York's 11. With a 11-4- 2 road record, including wins in five of their last six road games, the Rangers have the most road points (24) through 30 games in franchise history.
In the NHL, the Blueshirts' 2.53 goals per game on the road ranks sixth, their road power-play percentage of 25.5 ranks eighth, and their road penalty kill percentage of 85.3 ranks sixth in the league.
Adam Fox's 18 road assists lead the NHL while his 19 points are tied for the sixth most on the road in the league. Chris Kreider's 10 road goals are tied for the sixth most in the NHL.
I KREID SO HARD AND GOT SO FAR
Prior to the break, Chris Kreider had one goal and four assists for five points in his last two games (Dec. 15 at ARI, Dec. 17 vs. VGK). His one goal was a power-play goal, his 11th of the season, the second most in the NHL behind Leon Draisaitl's 13. On the year, Kreider has 18 goals, tied for the fourth most in the NHL.
Kreider is the fourth Ranger (Jagr, Hadfield, Dionne) to score 11 power-play goals through the first 30 games of a season and the first Ranger since Rick Nash in 2014-15 to record 18 or more goals through 30 games.
NOTHING BUT NORRIS
Adam Fox has recorded an assist in three of his last five games (4A) and 10 of his last 13 games. Fox has a point in 17 of the Rangers' 19 wins (17-2-3 in games he has a point). Fox's 26 assists are tied for the third-most in the NHL and tied for the most among d-men. Fox's 31 points are second to Victor Hedman (33) for the most among league d-men.
Fox and Brian Leetch (2000-01, 1995-96, 1992-93, 1991-92, 1990-91) are the only Rangers defensemen who have had 26 or more assists through the first 30 games of a season.
HART-EMI
Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers with 33 points and is second on the team with 24 assists. Panarin's 33 points are tied for the seventh most in the NHL. Panarin has recorded 10 points (3G-7A) in his last seven games and has points in seven of his last 10 games (5G-9A), four of them being multi-point games.
Additionally, the Rangers are 14-2-3 when Panarin records a point this season.
MIKA MAGIC
Mika Zibanejad has found his scoring touch, recording back-to-back multi-point games and points in three of his last five games (3G-2A). With his latest point, Zibanejad reached the 25-point mark on the season (7G-18A), the fourth Ranger to reach the mark this season. New York is one of four teams to have four players with 25-plus points (TOR, COL, STL, NYR).
In addition, the Rangers are 14-0-4 in games when Zibanejad has a point.
HERE'S THE SITUATION
Situationally, this season the Rangers are:
SPECIAL TEAMS
New York and Anaheim are the only two teams that have a power play and penalty kill ranked in the top-six in the NHL.
POWER PLAY
PENALTY KILL
- New York is 75-for-89 (84.3%) on the penalty kill this season, fifth-best in the NHL. - The Blueshirts have been perfect on the PK in four of their last five games and 10 of their last 12 games. - The Rangers are 16-1-2 in games this season where they have not allowed a power play goal.