POWER SURGE- The Blueshirts were 2-for-3 (4:27) on the power play in the contest. The Rangers have recorded at least one power play goal in seven of the last 10 games, tallying 10 power play goals over the span (10-for-29; 34.5%).
GOALS GALORE - The Rangers have tallied three or more goals in each of the last three games, in eight of the last 11 games, and in 46 games this season. New York ranks fourth in the NHL in games with three or more goals in 2016-17. In addition, the Blueshirts have recorded four or more goals in 32 games this season are tied for fourth in the NHL in games with at least four goals.
HITTING MACHINE - New York was credited with 29 hits in tonight's contest, and 15 of 18 skaters registered at least one hit in the contest.
Blueshirt Breakdown
Brady Skjeiestablished single-game career-highs with three assists and three points, recorded two power play assists, and led all skaters with five hits in 18:51 of ice time. He is the first Rangers rookie defenseman who has tallied three assists/points in a game since Kim Johnsson on Mar. 19, 2000 at Pittsburgh. Skjei's 38 points this season are the most by a Rangers rookie defenseman since Brian Leetch in 1988-89. Skjei has recorded a point in each of the last two games (one goal, three assists) and in four of the last six contests (two goals, four assists). He ranks second among NHL rookie defensemen in assists (33) and points (38) in 2016-17. In addition, Skjei leads all NHL rookies in even strength assists in 2016-17 (26).
J.T. Millertied a single-game career-high with two goals and registered four shots on goal. Miller added to his career-high in points (54), and his 22 goals this season are tied for his career-high (he also tallied 22 goals in 2015-16). He has recorded a point in 24 of the last 40 games, tallying 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists) over the span.
Kevin Hayesregistered two assists, tied for the game-high with three takeaways, and recorded three shots on goal. He leads the Rangers in points on the road this season (30; 11 goals, 19 assists), and he added to his career-highs in assists (32) and points (49) in 2016-17.
Derek Stepan recorded a power play goal and registered two shots on goal in 21:06 of ice time. Stepan extended his point streak to four games (three goals, one assist) and his goal streak to three games. He has registered eight points (four goals, four assists) in the last 10 games, and he leads the Rangers with 17 power play points in 2016-17 (three power play goals, 14 power play assists).
Jesper Fast tallied a goal, was credited with two hits, and posted a plus-one rating. He registered 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in 13 games against Pacific Division opponents in 2016-17. Fast has recorded all of his 21 points this season at even strength (six goals, 15 assists).
Mats Zuccarello tallied a power play assist and skated in 20:31 of ice time. He tallied his team-leading 41st assist of the season, establishing a career-high, and he also leads the Rangers in points this season (56). He extended his point streak to four games (one goal, four assists), as well as his assist streak to three games, and he has registered a point in eight of the last nine games (three goals, seven assists over the span). Zuccarello registered 28 points (seven goals, 21 assists) in 28 games against Western Conference opponents in 2016-17, including 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 14 games against Pacific Division opponents.
Matt Puempel notched an assist and posted a plus-one rating. He has recorded eight points (five goals, three assists) in his last 16 games, including seven points (four goals, three assists) in his last 14 contests.
Alain Vigneault is the third head coach in Rangers history who has guided the team to the playoffs in at least four consecutive seasons (along with Lester Patrick and Emile Francis).
Ryan McDonagh tied for the game-high with three takeaways and registered five shots on goal while skating in a game-high, 25:34 of ice time in tonight's contest.
