CORE FOUR - The Blueshirts have won Game 4 in five of their last seven playoff series, dating back to the Eastern Conference Final against Montreal in 2014. In addition, the Rangers have posted a 10-3 record in Game 4 of a playoff series at home since the start of the 2007 Playoffs.
WINNING HAB-IT - New York has won 10 of its last 14 playoff games against Montreal, dating back to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 1996.
TWO GOOD - The Rangers have earned at least two wins in 11 of 14 playoff series since the start of the 2012 Playoffs and in 15 of 20 playoff series since the start of the 2007 Playoffs.
HOME COOKING - New York has earned at least one win at home in 19 of their last 20 playoff series, dating back to the start of the 2007 Playoffs.
FINISHING STRONG - Since the start of the 2013 Playoffs, the Rangers have posted a 20-12 record in Games 4-7 of a playoff series, including a 13-4 record in Games 4-7 of a playoff series at home.
PLAYOFF PERFORMERS- The Rangers lead the NHL in playoff games played since the start of the 2012 Playoffs (85). In addition, the Blueshirts lead all Eastern Conference teams in playoff wins over the span (42).
HITTING MACHINE- The Blueshirts were credited with 43 hits in tonight's contest. All 18 skaters registered at least one hit, while 16 of 18 skaters recorded at least two hits. The Rangers lead the NHL in hits in the playoffs this year (203).
SHUTTING THE DOOR - New York has allowed two goals or fewer in 25 of its 27 playoff wins since the start of the 2014 Playoffs.
SHOOTING GALLERY - The Rangers registered 32 shots on goal in tonight's contest, and 16 of 18 skaters recorded at least one shot on goal.
KILL ZONE - The Rangers were 3-for-3 (4:34) on the penalty kill in the contest. Dating back to the regular season, New York has not allowed a power play goal against in seven of its last nine games (22-for-25; 88.0% over the span).
Three Stars on Broadway
Rick Nash registered the game-winning goal and recorded two shots on goal. Nash has tallied a goal/point in two of the last three games, as well as in seven of his last 12 games (dating back to the regular season). In addition, Nash has registered 13 points (seven goals, six assists) in his last 13 playoff games. He is tied for the team lead in goals (two) and points (two) in the playoffs this year.
Henrik Lundqvistmade 23 saves, and stopped all 12 shots he faced over the final two periods, to earn the win. He appeared in his 120th career NHL playoff game in tonight's contest, passing Dominik Hasek and Tom Barrasso for sole possession of 10th place on the league's all-time playoff appearances list. Lundqvist has posted a 2-2 record, along with a 1.89 GAA, a .944 SV%, and 1 SO through the first four games of the series, and he leads the NHL in saves in the playoffs thus far this year (134). Lundqvist started his 119th consecutive playoff game in tonight's contest, and the streak dates back to Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against New Jersey in 2006. Lundqvist is one of three goaltenders in NHL history who have started at least 100 consecutive playoff games with one franchise (Martin Brodeur - New Jersey; Patrick Roy - Colorado).
Ryan McDonagh notched an assist on the game-winning goal, recorded four hits, was credited with two takeaways, and posted a plus-one rating in 22:22 of ice time. He recorded his 27th career playoff assist as a Ranger, passing James Patrick for the fourth-most playoff assists by a Rangers defenseman in franchise history. The only Rangers defensemen who have tallied more career playoff assists than McDonagh are Brian Leetch, Brad Park, and Ron Greschner.
