RANGERS VS. SENATORS - PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Rangers are facing the Senators in a playoff series for the second time in franchise history*. The two teams played against each other in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in 2012, and New York defeated Ottawa, four games to three. The Rangers rallied from a three-games-to-two deficit in the series to win Game 6 in Ottawa and close out the series with a 2-1 win in Game 7 at MSG, which was the Rangers' first win in a Game 7 since the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver. Six players currently on the Rangers roster were also on the roster when the team faced Ottawa in 2012: Dan Girardi, Chris Kreider, Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal, and Derek Stepan. Lundqvist posted a 4-3 record, along with a 1.70 GAA, a .945 SV%, and 1 SO against Ottawa during the 2012 Playoffs. He stopped 205 of 217 shots in the series, including 26 of 27 shots he faced in Game 7, and allowed two goals or fewer in five of the seven contests. Staal and Girardi each tallied a goal in Game 7 of the series, and Girardi registered the game-winning goal in the contest. Girardi recorded four points (one goal, three assists) in the seven-game series. Kreider made his NHL debut in Game 3 of the series in Ottawa on Apr. 16, 2012, which was less than a week after he signed an entry-level contract with the Rangers on Apr. 10, 2012. Kreider tallied his first goal/point in the NHL in Game 6 of the series, and the goal was the game-winning goal in the contest.
\ The Rangers played the defunct Ottawa Senators in the playoffs in 1930 (the 'original' Senators played in the NHL from 1917-18 - 1933-34). New York won a two-game, total-goals Quarterfinals series, 6-3.*
RANGERS-SENATORS CONNECTIONS
RANGERS VS. SENATORS NOTES
All five meetings between the Rangers and Senators in 2016-17 have been decided by two or fewer goals.
The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in six of their last 11 meetings against the Senators (regular season and playoffs), dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season.
INDIVIDUAL CAREER STATISTICS VS. SENATORS (Statistics are only from playoff games)
DOWN, BUT NOT OUT
The Rangers have won six of the last nine playoff games they have played when trailing in a series, dating back to Game 5 of the Second Round against Washington in 2015.
BOUNCE BACK
The Rangers posted a 23-7-4 record in games following a loss during the regular season in 2016-17. In addition, the Rangers did not have a losing streak or a winless streak longer than three games in length during the regular season in 2016-17.
20/20 VISION
Entering the Second Round this year, the Rangers had won at least one game in each of their previous 20 playoff series, dating back to the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Atlanta in 2007. The Blueshirts' current streak of 20 consecutive playoff series with at least one win is tied for the longest in franchise history (the Rangers also won at least one game in 20 straight playoff series in which they played from the Quarterfinals against Boston in 1970 to the Quarterfinals against St. Louis in 1981).
HOME COOKING
New York won two of three home games in the First Round this year against Montreal, including each of the final two home games of the series. The Rangers have earned at least one win at home in 19 of their last 20 playoff series, dating back to the start of the 2007 Playoffs.
HIGH FIVE
The Rangers are the only NHL team that has won at least one playoff series in five different seasons over the last six seasons (since 2011-12). In addition, the Rangers have earned at least one playoff series win in a best-of-seven series in five years over a six-year span for the second time in franchise history (the Blueshirts also accomplished the feat from 1992 - 1997).
PLAYOFF PERFORMERS
The Rangers lead the NHL in playoff games played since the start of the 2012 Playoffs (89), and the Blueshirts also lead all Eastern Conference teams in playoff wins (44) and playoff series wins (nine) over the span. The only NHL team that has earned more playoff wins than the Rangers have over the span is Chicago (48), and the only NHL teams that have won more playoff series than the Rangers have over the span are Chicago and Los Angeles (the Blackhawks and Kings have each won 10 playoff series since the start of the 2012 Playoffs).
PLAYING THE GAME
Four players currently on the Rangers roster rank among the top five skaters in franchise history in career playoff games played: Dan Girardi (first - 118), Marc Staal (second - 100), Derek Stepan (tied for third - 93), Ryan McDonagh (fifth - 92). In addition, Henrik Lundqvist leads all players (skaters or goaltenders) in career playoff appearances with the Rangers (124).
TWO GOOD
The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in four of the last five games and in five of eight playoff contests in 2017.
SECOND HELPING
New York has outscored its opponent, 10-3, in the second period thus far in the playoffs this year. The Rangers' 10 goals are the second-most an NHL team has tallied in the second period of the 2017 Playoffs, while their three goals against are tied for the fewest allowed in the second period in the playoffs this year.
TEAM EFFORT
Through the Rangers' first eight games of the 2017 Playoffs, 19 of 20 skaters who have played at least one game have tallied a point. In addition, 10 Blueshirts have recorded a goal thus far in the playoffs this year.
HITTING MACHINE
The Blueshirts lead the NHL in hits in the playoffs this year (365), recording at least 30 hits in all eight games and 40 or more hits in six of the eight contests. The Rangers were credited with 285 hits in the First Round against Montreal. Since the NHL began to track hits in 1997-98, the Rangers' 285 hits in the First Round were the second-most the team has recorded in any playoff series (the most was 287 in Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against Washington in 2013).
SHOOTING GALLERY
New York recorded 48 shots on goal in Game 2 at Ottawa, and the Rangers have registered at least 30 shots on goal in six of eight games thus far in the playoffs this year.
O, CANADA
New York is facing two Canadian-based teams in the same playoff year for the first time since 1937. The Rangers have won each of their last six playoff series against a Canadian-based team, dating back to the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals against Vancouver.
AV SQUAD
Alain Vigneault earned his sixth playoff series win as the Rangers' Head Coach in the First Round against Montreal, and he passed Emile Francis for sole possession of second place among Rangers head coaches in career playoff series wins. In addition, Vigneault has earned more series wins in best-of-seven series than any other head coach in franchise history. Vigneault is coaching in his 22nd playoff series since the start of the 2007 Playoffs, and he has coached 125 playoff games over the span. The only NHL head coach who has coached more playoff series and more playoff games than Vigneault has since 2006-07 is Joel Quenneville (24 playoff series; 138 playoff games). Vigneault has earned 29 career playoff wins as the Rangers' Head Coach, trailing only Francis (34) and Lester Patrick (32) in career playoff wins among head coaches in franchise history.
SKJEI HEY KID
Brady Skjei posted his first career NHL multi-goal game (regular season or playoffs) by tallying two goals in Game 2 at Ottawa. Skjei became the first Rangers defenseman to register at least two goals in a playoff game since Brian Leetch posted a hat trick in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against Philadelphia in 1995. He also became the first Rangers rookie defenseman to tally at least two goals in a playoff game since Leetch in Game 4 of the Patrick Division Semifinals against Pittsburgh in 1989. Skjei is tied for fifth in the NHL - and leads NHL defensemen - in goals in the playoffs this year (four), and he also leads the Rangers in goals in the playoffs. Skjei's four goals are tied for the most a Rangers rookie defenseman has tallied in one year in the playoffs in franchise history (Reijo Ruotsalainen - 1982). In addition, only two NHL rookie defenseman have recorded more playoff goals in one year than Skjei has in 2017 (Glen Wesley - six in 1988 with Boston; Andy Delmore - five in 2000 with Philadelphia).
KING HENRIK
Henrik Lundqvist leads the NHL in saves (264), is tied for fourth in SV% (.933), and ranks fifth in GAA (2.15) in the 2017 Playoffs. Lundqvist leads all active NHL goaltenders in career playoff appearances (124) and career playoff shutouts (10), and he is tied for first among active NHL goaltenders in career playoff wins (59). Since the start of the 2012 Playoffs, he has posted a 23-16 record, along with a 2.19 GAA, a .924 SV%, and 4 SO in 39 playoff appearances which have followed a Rangers loss.
CAPTAIN MAC
Ryan McDonagh enters the contest with a three-game point streak (one goal, three assists), and he has tallied five points (one goal, four assists) in the last five games. He ranks second on the Rangers - and leads team defensemen - in assists (four) and points (five) in the 2017 Playoffs. McDonagh ranks seventh in the NHL in average ice time in the playoffs this year (27:39). McDonagh notched his 30th career playoff assist with the Rangers in Game 2 at Ottawa, becoming the ninth player - and fourth defenseman - in franchise history to register 30 career playoff assists with the Rangers. The only three defensemen besides McDonagh who have tallied at least 30 career playoff assists with the Blueshirts are Brian Leetch, Brad Park, and Ron Greschner.
MIKA MAGIC
Mika Zibanejad leads the Rangers in assists (five) and points (six) in the playoffs this year, and he is also tied for ninth in the NHL in assists in the playoffs. He has tallied an assist/point in three of the last four games (one goal, four assists), and he has registered six points (one goal, five assists) in the last six contests. Zibanejad is one of three NHL players who have recorded at least one even strength assist, one power play assist, and one shorthanded assist in the playoffs this year (along with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel).
STEP-AN UP
Derek Stepan enters the contest with 93 career playoff games played as a Ranger. Stepan is one game away from passing Walt Tkaczuk for sole possession of third place on the Rangers' all-time playoff games played list (among skaters), and he would also become the franchise's all-time leader in playoff games played by a forward. The only players (skaters or goaltenders) who have appeared in more playoff games with the Rangers than Stepan has are Henrik Lundqvist, Dan Girardi, and Marc Staal. Stepan also enters the contest tied with Anders Hedberg for ninth place on the Rangers' all-time playoff points list (46).
FAST FACTS
Jesper Fast leads the NHL in shorthanded points (two), and he is tied for the NHL lead in shorthanded goals (one) and shorthanded assists (one) in the 2017 Playoffs. In addition, Fast ranks third on the Rangers in hits (27) and plus/minus rating (plus-four), is tied for third on the team in assists (two) and points (four), and is tied for fourth on the team in goals (two) in the playoffs this year, and he also leads Rangers forwards in plus/minus rating in the playoffs. In each of the last two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17), Fast has received the Players' Player Award, which is given annually to the Ranger who, as selected by his teammates, "best exemplifies what it means to be a team player".
RICK ROLLING
Rick Nash has tallied 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in his last 17 playoff games, dating back to the Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Final against Tampa Bay in 2015. Nash ranks third in the NHL - and leads the Rangers - in shots on goal in the playoffs this year (30), and the only NHL players who have recorded more shots on goal than Nash has in the 2017 Playoffs are Alex Ovechkin (34) and Vladimir Tarasenko (32).
KREID-ING HIGH
Chris Kreider ranks 10th on the Rangers' all-time playoff goals list (21), and he is one goal away from tying Anders Hedberg, Don Maloney, and Vic Hadfield for seventh place on the franchise's all-time playoff goals list. Kreider is also tied for second in career playoff game-winning goals with the Rangers (six); he is tied with Brian Leetch, Frank Boucher, and Bill Cook, and he only trails Mark Messier (seven).
SPECIAL TEAMS
Power Play:
Penalty Kill:
INJURIES (0 Man-Games Lost to Injury in Playoffs)
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
THIS DAY IN RANGERS HISTORY
- May 1, 1953 - Gump Worsley was named the winner of the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year for the 1952-53 season.
- May 1, 1992 - The Rangers earned their first win in Game 7 of a playoff series in franchise history, defeating the New Jersey Devils, 8-4, in Game 7 of the Patrick Division Semifinals at MSG.
- May 2, 1949 - Pentti Lund was named the winner of the Calder Trophy as the NHL's Rookie of the Year for the 1948-49 season.
- May 2, 2012 - Marian Gaborik tallied the game-winning goal at 14:41 of the third overtime period as the Rangers defeated the Washington Capitals, 2-1, in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Washington. Ryan McDonagh led all skaters with 53:17 of ice time in the contest.
