Rangers vs. Devils 12.18.16: Postgame Notes

Team Notes

• BACK-TO-BACK - In their last 88 back-to-back sets (since the start of the 2010-11 season), the Rangers have posted a 59-23-6 record in the second game of the set. New York has posted a 6-0-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back set in 2016-17.
• SHOOTOUT SENSATION - The Rangers played two consecutive games which were decided in a shootout for the first time since Nov. 13 - Nov. 15, 2014. In addition, New York recorded a win in two consecutive team games which were both decided in a shootout for the first time since Jan. 22 - Jan. 24, 2011.
• SHUTTING THE DOOR - The Rangers have not allowed a goal in either the first period over the last seven contests.
• TWO GOOD - The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in regulation/overtime in 24 of 34 games this season, including 11 of the last 13 games and each of the last seven contests. The Rangers have posted a 20-3-1 record in the 24 games which they have allowed two goals or fewer in 2016-17. The Blueshirts have allowed six goals in over the last seven games (0.86 goals against per game over the span).
• SAVING THE DAY - Over the last seven games, Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta have posted a combined .966 SV% (173 saves on 179 shots over the span).
• COMEBACK KIDS - The Rangers rallied to win a game in which they trailed entering the third period for the second time in 2016-17.
• CLOSE CALL - Seven of the Rangers' last 11 games, including five of the team's last seven contests, have been decided by one goal.
• RUNNING WITH THE DEVIL - The Blueshirts have recorded at least one point in each of their last seven home games against the Devils (5-0-2) and in 11 of their last 12 home games against New Jersey (9-1-2).
• FULL HOUSE- Tonight's game was the Rangers' 203rd consecutive regular season sellout and the Blueshirts' 244th consecutive sellout (regular season and playoffs combined). The Rangers' sellout streak dates back to Nov. 3, 2011.

Three Stars on Broadway

• Henrik Lundqvist made 29 saves in regulation and overtime, and stopped three of four shooters he faced in the shootout, to earn his 15th win of the season. Lundqvist earned his 389th career NHL win in tonight's contest, tying Dominik Hasek for the most wins by a European-born goaltender in league history. In addition, Lundqvist tied Hasek for 12th place on the NHL's all-time wins list. In his last three starts, Lundqvist has posted a 3-0-0 record, along with a 0.98 GAA and a .967 SV% (87 saves on 90 shots). Lundqvist has posted a 14-5-1 record, along with a 2.19 GAA, a .927 SV%, and 1 SO in his last 20 starts, and he has allowed two goals or fewer in 14 of the 20 games. Lundqvist has now played both games of a back-to-back 76 times in the regular season in his NHL career. In the second game of the back-to-back set, Lundqvist has posted a 48-21-7 record, along with a 2.05 GAA, a .929 SV%, and 8 SO.
• Rick Nashtied for the team-high with five shots on goal and posted a plus-one rating in the contest. He leads the Rangers in shots on goal this season (88).
• Derek Stepanregistered a goal to tie the game with 1:13 remaining in regulation and recorded three shots on goal in the contest. He has tallied 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) in 30 career games against the Devils. In addition, Stepan has notched 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in the last 16 games, including eight points (two goals, six assists) in the last 10 games. The Rangers have posted a 34-1-6 record in the last 41 games in which Stepan has tallied a goal, dating back to Mar. 18, 2014.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• Chris Kreidertallied a goal and posted a plus-one rating. This season, Kreider has tallied all of his eight goals and 17 of his 21 points in game situations when the Rangers have either led by one goal, trailed by one goal, or were tied in the contest.
• Kevin Hayes recorded the game-deciding goal in the shootout, tied for the game-high with five shots on goal, and won 12 of 19 faceoffs (63.2%).
• Mats Zuccarello registered an assist, tallied a goal in the shootout, led all skaters with four takeaways, and posted a plus-one rating. Since the start of the 2013-14 season, 151 of his 190 points since have either been a goal or the primary assist on a goal (79.5% of his points have been primary points). Zuccarello has recorded a shootout goal in each of the last two games, and he is the Rangers' all-time leader in shootout goals (17).
• Ryan McDonaghtallied an assist while skating in a game-high 25:27 of ice time. McDonagh leads the Rangers in assists this season (17), and he leads team defensemen in assists and points (18) in 2016-17. The Rangers have posted a 25-4-3 record in the last 32 games in which McDonagh has logged at least 25:00 of ice time, dating back to Oct. 16, 2014. He has led the Blueshirts in ice time in 31 of 33 games he has played this season.
• Brady Skjei notched an assist, recorded three shots on goal, and posted a plus-one rating in 19:47 of ice time. He has registered a point in each of the Rangers' two games against New Jersey this season (one goal, one assist). Skjei has tallied 13 points (one goal, 12 assists) in the last 26 contests.
• Kevin Kleinregistered an assist, tied for the game-high (and led the Rangers) with four hits, was credited with three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating. He has tallied nine assists/points in his last 22 games (since Nov. 5), and he leads Rangers defensemen in assists over the span. Klein has posted a plus-two rating in three of the last five games and in four of the last nine contests.
• Alain Vigneaultcoached his 280th career game with the Rangers tonight, tying Roger Neilson for eighth place on the franchise's all-time games coached list.