SHUTTING THE DOOR - The Blueshirts have allowed two goals or fewer in each of the last four games and in five of seven playoff games thus far this year.
HITTING MACHINE - New York was credited with 37 hits in tonight's contest, as 15 of 18 skaters recorded at least one hit.
POWER SURGE - The Rangers were 1-for-4 (4:10) on the power play in tonight's game. New York has registered a power play goal in each of the last two contests.
SHOOTING GALLERY- The Blueshirts registered 35 shots on goal in tonight's game, and the Rangers recorded at least 11 shots on goal in each period.
Henrik Lundqvistmade 41 saves in tonight's game, and he stopped all 21 shots he faced in the first period. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Lundqvist's 21 saves in the first period of tonight's game were the most he has made in one period of a playoff game in his NHL career. Also according to the Elias Sports Bureau, Lundqvist is the first Rangers goaltender who has made 21 or more saves in one period of a playoff game since Ed Giacomin made 22 saves in the first period of Game 4 of the Quarterfinals against Chicago on Apr. 13, 1968. Lundqvist made at least 40 saves in a playoff game for the 10th time in his NHL career. Since the start of the 2009 Playoffs, he has posted a 10-6 record, along with a 1.71 GAA, a .942 SV%, and 2 SO in 17 appearances in Game 1 of a playoff series, and he has allowed two goals or fewer in regulation in each of the last 11 appearances he has made in Game 1 of a series.
Ryan McDonaghtallied a power play goal, led all skaters with five blocked shots, and tied for the game-high with five hits while skating in a team-high, 28:21 of ice time. McDonagh tallied his ninth career playoff goal with the Rangers in tonight's contest, tying Babe Pratt for sixth among defensemen in career playoff goals in franchise history. The Rangers captain has registered a point in three of the last four games (one goal, two assists), and he leads Rangers defensemen in points in the playoffs this year (three).
Mats Zuccarello recorded an assist and tied for the game-high with five hits in 17:57 of ice time. He has recorded a point in each of the last two games (two goals, one assist), and he is tied for the team lead in points in the playoffs this year (four; three goals, one assist).
Pavel Buchnevich registered his first career NHL playoff assist/point, recorded two shots on goal, and was credited with two blocked shots in 15:42 of ice time.
Alain Vigneaultis coaching in his 22nd playoff series since the start of the 2007 Playoffs, and tonight's contest marked the 124th playoff game he has coached over the span. He ranks second among NHL head coaches in playoff series coached and playoff games coached over the span. The only NHL head coach who has coached more playoff games and more playoff series than Vigneault has since 2006-07 is Joel Quenneville (24 playoff series; 138 playoff games).
J.T. Millertied for the team-high with four shots on goal and won all three faceoffs he took in 16:15 of ice time.
Derek Stepan led all skaters with 13 faceoff wins (13-for-20; 65.0%), registered three shots on goal, and was credited with two hits in 17:26 of ice time.
Marc Staal skated in his 99th career NHL playoff game, as well as his 99th career playoff game as a Ranger, in tonight's contest.
