Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Sabres 04.27.21

TODAY'S GAME
The Rangers play their 50th game of the 2020-21 season, continue a five-game homestand, and conclude a two-game set today, Apr. 27, against the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden (7:00 p.m. ET - TV: MSG Network, Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts have won six of the last eight games (6-2-0 record). The Rangers have also earned at least one point in eight of the last 10 games (7-2-1 record), in 12 of the last 15 games (10-3-2 record), and in 18 of the last 24 games (15-6-3 record).

RANGERS VS. SABRES
- All-Time: 82-79-25-6 (46-31-15-3 at home; 36-48-10-3 on the road) - 2020-21: The Rangers are playing Buffalo in the eighth and final game between the two teams. The Blueshirts have posted a 5-1-1 record and won the last meeting between the two teams, 6-3, on Apr. 25 at MSG. Six of the seven contests have been decided by two or fewer goals, and five of the seven games have been decided by one goal (three of which have been decided in either overtime or a shootout). Adam Fox leads all skaters with 10 assists and 11 points in the season series; the 10 assists are the most a Ranger has tallied against Buffalo in one season in franchise history, while the 11 points are tied for the most a Ranger has registered against Buffalo in one season (Rod Gilbert - 1971-72). - New York is playing eight games against Buffalo in one season for the first time in franchise history; prior to the 2020-21 season, the most games the Rangers had played against the Sabres in one season was six (three times, most recently in 1972-73). - The Rangers and Sabres are in the same division for the fifth season (1970-71 - 1973-74; 2020-21) - East (1970-71 - 1973-74), MassMutual NHL East (2020-21).

HART-EMI
Artemi Panarin ranks second in the NHL in points per game (1.47) and assists per game (1.03) this season, and he also leads the NHL (min. 20 games played) in points per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 (3.24) and assists per 60 minutes of ice time at 5-on-5 (2.27) in 2020-21. In 24 games since returning to the Rangers' lineup on Mar. 13, Panarin has recorded 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) and a plus-18 rating, and he has been on the ice for 47 of the Rangers' 96 goals. He has recorded 99 points (35 goals, 64 assists) in 60 career games at MSG, including 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) in 19 home games this season. According to NHL Stats and Information, Wayne Gretzky is currently the fastest player to record his first 100 career points at MSG (62 games). Panarin's 1.95 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's 1.03 assists per game average in 2020-21 would be the best by a Ranger in one season (min. two games played) in franchise history.
WHAT THE FOX SAYS
Adam Fox leads NHL defensemen in points (46) and assists (41), ranks third in takeaways (32), and is tied for fifth in plus/minus rating (plus-23) in 2020-21. Fox has recorded 46 points and a plus-23 rating in 48 games this season after recording 42 points and a plus-22 rating in 70 games as a rookie last season; only one defenseman in NHL history has recorded 40 or more points and a plus-20 rating or better in each of his first two seasons (Bourque). Fox is currently averaging 0.85 assists per game this season; only three defensemen in Rangers history have averaged at least 0.80 assists per game in a season (min. two games played): Leetch (four times), Park, and Zubov. According to NHL Stats and Information, only seven defensemen have averaged at least 0.80 assists per game in a season while 23 years old or younger (min. 40 games played): Orr (three times), Coffey (three times), Leetch (twice), Zubov, Suter, Potvin, and Bourque.
MIKA MAGIC
Mika Zibanejad is the only NHL player who has recorded three hat tricks this season, and he is the first Ranger who has registered three hat tricks in a season since Marian Gaborik in 2010-11. He is tied for ninth among NHL centers in points in 2020-21 (45).
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Rangers have outscored their opponent on special teams in 21 games in 2020-21 and have posted a 16-3-2 record in those 21 games.
Power Play:
Penalty Kill:
- The Rangers were 3-for-4 (7:26) and tallied a shorthanded goal on Apr. 25 vs. Buffalo. - The Blueshirts have not allowed a power play goal in 29 of the last 42 games (108-for-125; 86.4%), including 23 of the last 35 games (86-for-102; 84.3%). - The Rangers have killed off 111 of their opponents' 129 power play opportunities over the last 43 games (86.0%) and have held their opponents to only 168 shots on goal during their opponents' 129 power play opportunities. - New York is tied for fifth in the NHL in penalty kill efficiency this season (83.9%). - The Rangers are tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded goals in 2020-21 (eight). - New York has not allowed a power play goal in 31 games this season (tied for second-most in NHL). - Since Jan. 30, the Rangers' 86.4% penalty kill efficiency is tied for the second-best in the NHL