GOALIE POINTS -With Henrik Lundqvist recording an assist in tonight's game, two Rangers goaltenders have registered at least one assist/point in the same season for the first time since 2011-12 (Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Biron). The Blueshirts are the only NHL team that has two goaltenders who have recorded at least one point thus far this season (Lundqvist and Antti Raanta).
SHOOTING GALLERY -New York outshot Carolina, 30-21, in tonight's contest. The Rangers have registered at least 30 shots on goal in five of the first eight games in 2016-17 and have outshot their opponents, 249-202, thus far this season (31.1 shots on goal per game; 25.3 shots on goal against per game).
Blueshirt Breakdown
Mats Zuccarellorecorded two goals and tied for the game-high with five shots on goal in 18:51 of ice time in tonight's contest. Zuccarello posted the 10th multi-goal game of his career in tonight's contest, and his first multi-goal game since Oct. 30, 2015 vs. Toronto. Zuccarello has registered a point in 13 of his last 14 games against Carolina, dating back to Nov. 2, 2013 (four goals, 12 assists over the span). In 20 career games against Carolina (including tonight), Zuccarello has tallied 20 points (five goals, 15 assists). This season, Zuccarello has tallied seven points (four goals, three assists) in eight games, and he is tied for the team lead in goals.
Ryan McDonaghtallied an assist, recorded three shots on goal, was credited with two blocked shots, and posted a plus-one rating while skating in a team-high 22:52 of ice time. The Rangers captain extended his assist/point streak to six games (seven assists over the span). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, McDonagh is the first Rangers defenseman who has posted a six-game assist streak since Brian Leetch (Dec. 15 - Dec. 28, 2001). McDonagh's six-game assist streak is a career-high, and his six-game point streak is tied for his career-high (he also posted a six-game point streak from Nov. 27 - Dec. 7, 2013). McDonagh has led the Rangers in ice time in each of the first eight games this season, and he leads the Blueshirts in assists thus far in 2016-17 (seven).
Mika Zibanejadregistered an assist, recorded four shots on goal, and won seven of 12 faceoffs (58.3%). Zibanejad has notched at least one point in six of the first eight games this season, tallying eight points (two goals, six assists) in those contests. He leads the Rangers in points thus far in 2016-17.
Pavel Buchnevichnotched an assist and registered one shot on goal in 17:40 of ice time. He has tallied an assist/point in two of his first three career NHL games (two assists).
Henrik Lundqvistmade 18 saves and recorded an assist in tonight's game. Lundqvist has registered at least one assist in each of the last nine seasons (since 2008-09), and he is tied for first among NHL goaltenders in assists since the start of the 2013-14 season (10).
