Rangers vs Lightning matchup: Go for the sweep to start 2022
The New York Rangers will face the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second time this season and look to close the home-and-home series with a win at MSG.
Here’s the game day preview by the numbers.
NYR: 20-8-4 (44 POINTS)
TBL: 21-7-5 (47 POINTS)
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2022 – 12:30 PM ET, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
TV: MSG
RADIO: ESPN 1050 AM
Rangers last game: 4-3 win over Tampa Bay Lightning
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Rangers key numbers
All-Time: 50-41-5-8 (27-19-2-5 at home; 23-22-3-3 on the road)
The Rangers won a memorable contest in Tampa and look to complete the sweep. New York has earned at least one point in three of the last four meetings (2-1-1).
Rangers Bolts defusers:
Ryan Strome – 20 GP, 4G-7A—11P – Strome has points in four of his past seven games (2G-3A) against Tampa Bay. Strome has two career multi-point games against the Lightning and at least one point in nine of 20 career games against the team.
Mika Zibanejad – 25 GP, 2G-7A—9P – Zibanejad has three points (1G-2A) in his past three games against the Lightning and has a point in four of his past seven games (1G-4A) against Tampa Bay.
Jacob Trouba – 14 GP, 3G-5A—8P – Trouba has seven points (3G-4A) in his last nine games against the Lightning. Trouba is looking for his first points against them as a Ranger.
Per New York Rangers Game Notes
New York Rangers vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Looking for win first win of 2022: The Blueshirts became the fifth NHL team this season to record 20 wins on New Year’s Eve. They are looking get off to a good start for 2022.
What a year: The Rangers are 47-31-10 for the 2021 calendar year heading into their first contest of the new year. Artemi Panarin registered 94 points in 73 games during that same time span.
Key Rangers:
Artemi Panarin’s 36 points is tied for 7th in NHL scoring
Adam Fox’s 31 points is tied for 2nd in scoring among defensemen.
Chris Kreider’s 11 PPG ranks 2nd in the NHL, his 19 goals ranks tied for 4th.
Igor Shesterkin won his only career start do far against Tampa (1-0-0, .893 SV%, 3.00 GAA).
Rangers Milestones within reach
Chris Kreider 4 goals from 200 in his career.
Mika Zibanejad is 1 overtime goal away from tying Cecil Dillon, Butch Keeling and Brian Leetch (7 each) for the most overtime goals by a player in Rangers history. 1 SHG to tie for top 10 in shorthanded goals.
Alexandar Georgiev is 2 wins away from 50 in his career.
Rangers Special Teams
- NYR PP is running at 23.91% (7th)
- NYR PK is working at 84.21% (5th)
*Some Stats and Info courtesy New York Rangers
Three Keys for victory
- Rangers need to play a full 60 minutes (repeat on loop)
- Expect a fast game from Tampa – match that intensity
- Minimize turnovers and score on PP opportunities
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