Rangers 3, Oilers 1; Post-game Notes

When I was a kid growing up in Staten Island, every day I would read the Staten Island Advance for its report of the Rangers game and to check the box scores around the NHL.   Often times, the reports of the games played on the West Coast would be incomplete, stating that the printed information was only accurate as of the time of publication.  I used to bristle and get angry that the paper wouldn’t wait until the games were finished and publish accurate information.  While I still think that the Advance was derelict in its duties as its sole function is to provide the news, as a solo, part-time blogger with full time professional job and family with two young children, I certainly understand that desire to just call it a night and go to sleep.  I think what I will do in the future for any late games, including this Tuesday, will be inspired by those reports of my youth.  I will post a review of what I had seen to the point where I call it a night and we can move forward from there.

Below are the post-game notes from the Rangers.  Special thanks to Stranger Nation for the suggestion.

Team Notes

• WINS BY THE DOZEN – The Rangers’ 12 wins through 16 games this season are tied for the most the team has earned in the first 16 games of one season in franchise history. New York has now earned 12 wins in the first 16 games of a season twice in franchise history (2015-16 and 2016-17).

• BACK-TO-BACK – In their last 85 back-to-back sets (since the start of the 2010-11 season), the Rangers have posted a 56-23-6 record in the second game of the set. New York has posted a 3-0-0 record in the second game of a back-to-back set in 2016-17.
• GOALS GALORE – The Rangers have registered 65 goals through the first 16 games of the 2016-17 season. New York has recorded at least 65 goals in the first 16 contests of a season for the first time since 1990-91. The Rangers lead the NHL in goals per game this season (4.06).
• SAVING THE DAY – In the last two games, Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Raanta combined to a post a .973 SV% (73 saves on 75 shots).
• THREE’S COMPANY – New York has registered three or more goals in 13 of 16 games this season. The Rangers have recorded at least three goals in 13 of their first 16 games in one season for the first time since 1995-96.
• MAKING THE DIFFERENCE – The Rangers lead the NHL in goal differential this season (plus-29; 65 goals for, 36 goals against). The Rangers’ plus-29 goal differential through 16 games this season is the second-best goal differential the team has posted through the first 16 games of any season in franchise history (1971-72; plus-34).
• ALBERTA BOUND – The Rangers defeated the Flames and Oilers, in Calgary and Edmonton, in two consecutive days for the first time in franchise history (Nov. 12 – Nov. 13, 2016). New York had previously defeated Calgary and Edmonton on the road as part of the same road trip once in franchise history (Dec. 14 – Dec. 16, 2014).
• WINNING WAYS – The Rangers have won seven of their last eight games (7-1-0; dating back to Oct. 30 vs. Tampa Bay. In addition, the Rangers have won 10 of their last 12 games (10-2-0; dating back to Oct. 22 at Washington) and 11 of their last 14 contests (11-3-0; dating back to Oct. 17 vs. San Jose).
• ROAD WARRIORS – The Rangers are tied for the NHL lead – and lead Eastern Conference teams – in road wins since the start of the 2013-14 season (76).
• TWO GOOD – The Rangers have allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of the last 13 games, dating back to Oct. 19 vs. Detroit. The Blueshirts have won 36 of the last 37 games in which they allowed two goals or fewer, dating back to Dec. 15, 2015 (36-1-0).
• FINISHING THE JOB – The Blueshirts have posted a 10-0-0 record in games which they have held a lead entering the third period this season. Since the start of the 2010-11 season, the Rangers have posted a 177-3-8 record in 188 regular season games in which they have held a lead entering the third period.
• SECOND HELPING – New York outscored Edmonton, 1-0, in the second period of tonight’s contest. Thus far this season, the Rangers have posted a plus-21 goal differential in the second period (29-8).
• BURNING OIL – The Rangers have earned at least one point in 15 of their last 20 road games against the Oilers, dating back to Jan. 23, 1989 (12-5-2-1). The Blueshirts played their first game at Rogers Place, Edmonton’s new arena, tonight.

Three Stars on Broadway

• Michael Grabner registered two goal and recorded four shots on goal. Grabner is the second Ranger since 1990-91 to tally 10 even strength goals within the first 16 games of a season (the other is Rick Nash – 2014-15). Grabner has tallied a goal/point in five of the last eight games, recording 10 points (eight goals, two assists) over the span. Grabner leads the NHL in even strength goals this season (10). He has eclipsed his goal total from last season, and he leads the Rangers in goals in 2016-17. In addition, Grabner is one of five NHL players who have registered at least 10 goals this season (along with Patrik Laine, Sidney Crosby, Mark Scheifele, and David Pastrnak), and he is tied for second in the NHL in goals this season. Grabner is one of six Rangers who have tallied at least 10 goals in the first 16 games of one season since 2005-06 (Jaromir Jagr – 2005-06; Brendan Shanahan – 2006-07; Marian Gaborik – 2009-10; Brandon Dubinsky – 2010-11; Rick Nash – 2014-15).
• Antti Raanta stopped 38 of 39 shots he faced to earn his fourth win of the season. Raanta has made at least 30 saves in 16 games in his career, and he has posted a 14-1-1 record, along with a 1.56 GAA, a .956 SV%, and 3 SO in those contests. Raanta has earned a win in each of his first four decisions in 2016-17 (he was not credited with the decision on Nov. 8 vs. Vancouver).
• Dan Girardi tallied the game-winning goal, led all skaters with four blocked shots, and led the Rangers with three hits in 22:47 of ice time. Girardi leads Rangers defensemen in goals this season (three), and he has notched a point in four of the last seven games he has played (two goals, two assists). Each of Girardi’s three goals this season have been the game-winning goal in the contest, and he is tied for the NHL lead in game-winning goals this season.

Blueshirt Breakdown

• J.T. Miller registered an assist and posted a plus-one rating. He has recorded a point in 11 of 16 games in 2016-17, registering a team-high 15 points (five goals, 10 assists). He leads the Rangers in games with a point this season. Miller is the only NHL player who has registered at least 15 points and a plus-14 rating this season.
• Kevin Hayes notched an assist, won eight of 16 faceoffs (50%), and posted a plus-one rating in 16:33 of ice time. Hayes has tallied a point in seven of the last eight games, registering 11 points (four goals, seven assists) over the span. In his NHL career, 43 of Hayes’ 58 assists have been primary assists, and 80 of his 95 career NHL points have been primary points (either a goal or a primary assist).
• Rick Nash recorded an assist, registered four shots on goal, and was credited with three blocked shots. He has tallied 10 points (six goals, four assists) in the last 12 games, including six points (four goals, two assists) in the last eight contests.
• Kevin Klein notched an assist, was credited with two blocked shots, and posted a plus-two rating in 20:41 of ice time. Klein has tallied four assists/points in the last five games.