RANGERS RUNDOWN
- The New York Rangers continue their three-game homestand when they host the Dallas Stars at Madison Square Garden (7:00 PM ET - TV: MSG Network - Radio: ESPN 98.7 FM). The Blueshirts will play eight of their next 10 games at home.
- The Blueshirts have earned points in six-straight games (4-0-2) and are 5-1-2 in their last eight games. New York has points in 14 of its last 16 games (12-2-2). Since November 30, the Rangers rank tied for first in wins (13), tied for second in points (29), and fourth in goals-against per game (2.53).
- At home, New York has won six of its last seven games dating back to December 5. In that span, the Rangers' .857 point percentage at home ranks second in the league.
- The Rangers have earned at least one point in four-straight contests against Dallas (3-0-1), six of their last nine games against them (4-3-2) and have earned a point in 10 of their last 14 games against the Stars (7-4-3). In their last two games against Dallas, the Blueshirts have combined for 13 goals.
- The Rangers are 8-3-1 against Central Division teams this season and 12-5-3 against Western Conference foes.
- New York has scored three or more goals in five-straight games, four or more goals in three of those five games and on the year is 15-0-0 when scoring four or more goals in a game. Only two other teams (VGK, ARI) are undefeated this season when scoring 4+ goals.
- New York ranks tied for third in the NHL in third period goals (54) and fourth in third-period goal differential (+14). - Heading into the third period tied, the Rangers are 10-1-5, the most such wins in the NHL.
- The Rangers defensemen group has collected 106 points and 84 assists, both the second most in the NHL. 28.5 percent of all Rangers points this season have contributed to a defensman.
- New York's 11 comeback victories this season are tied for the sixth most in the league.
Pregame Notes: Rangers vs. Stars - 01.12.23
RANGERS AND STARS CONNECTIONS
MIKA'S MISSION
Mika Zibanejad has goals in three of his last six games (4G) and six points (4G-2A) in his last six games . With his next goal, Zibanejad would compile a 20-goal season for a sixth straight season, becoming the sixth Ranger to do so with the team.
Zibanejad has power play goals in two of his last five games and 12 on the season. His 12 power play tallies are tied for the fourth most in the NHL.
ADAM'S APPLES
Adam Fox has points in five-straight games (1G-6A) and points in 12 of his last 18 games (2G-15A). When he records multiple points, the Rangers are 9-0-0.
On Saturday, Fox became the third defenseman this season to reach the 40-point benchmark joining Erik Karlsson and Josh Morrissey.
Fox has skated over 20:00 minutes in every game this season, over 25 minutes in 20 contests and his season-high was 30:04 against the Devils on Nov. 28.
HEY NOW, SHESTY'S AN ALL-STAR
Igor Shesterkin is 19-6-6 on the season, his 19 wins are tied for the third most in the NHL. Shesterkin is 9-2-2 in his last 13 starts with a .920 save percentage and 2.34 GAA.
In earning his first All-Star Game selection, Shesterkin becomes the seventh goaltender in franchise history (Chuck Rayner, Gump Worsley, Ed Giacomin, Gilles Villemure, Mike Richter, Henrik Lundqvist) to be selected to participate in the All-Star Game. He is the 17th goaltender in NHL history to win a Vezina Trophy prior to being selected/playing in an All-Star Game.
KREIDING TO MAKE HISTORY
Chris Kreider has three goals in his last five games and a team-high tying 19 goals on the year. He is one goal away from becoming the sixth player to post eight or more 20-goal seasons with the Rangers franchise (Gilbert - 12, Ratelle - 9, Graves - 8, Bathgate - 8, Henry - 8).
Kreider has 36 career game-winning goals, tying him with Adam Graves for the seventh most in franchise history.
PANARIN PUTTING UP POINTS
Artemi Panarin has points in three of his last five contests (2G-2A) and has points in 12 of his last 18 games (5G-15A).
Panarin's 34 assists this season are tied for the sixth most in the NHL.
BLUESHIRT BULLETS
- K'Andre Miller established a career-high in points when he hit 21 (before getting his 22nd later on in game). Miller has points in a career-long four-straight games (2G-4A) and points in 10 of his last 16 games (4G-10A). In addition, Miller's 33 takeaways this year are the sixth most for a defensemen and among players who have 80 or more SH minutes, Miller ranks first in PP/GA per 60 with a 2.69 mark.
- Braden Schneider has five goals since November 22, tied for the fifth most among NHL defensemen in that span. He has had an even or better plus/minus in 22 of his last 24 games.
- Filip Chytil has goals in three of his last four games (4G) and eight in his last 15 games.
- Kaapo Kakko's 18 points (9G-9A) are tied for his point total from last season and he is one goal from tying his career- high of 10 set in his rookie season (2019-20).
- The Rangers own a 55-12-4 record when Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider all three record a point.
- Jacob Trouba has 131 hits and 103 blocked shots. He is the only player in the NHL with both 100+ hits and 90+ blocked shots. Trouba ranks second among defensemen in both hits and blocked shots.
- Jaroslav Halak has wins in his last three games and four of his last five appearances in net.
SPECIAL TEAMS
- The Blueshirts have scored six power play goals in their last five games.
- The Rangers have the fifth fewest PIM/G with a 7.8 mark.
- The Rangers have scored multiple power play goals in seven games this year and in two of their last five contests.
