New York Rangers vs Golden Knights matchup: Start of a long road trip

Rangers Golden Knights
Dec 17, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan Lindgren (55) is knocked into goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) by Vegas Golden Knights center Chandler Stephenson (20) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers will face the Vegas Golden Knights for the second time and final time this season. This will be the start of a 5 game road trip that will span 11 days. They return home on January 19 to host Toronto.

Here’s the game day preview by the numbers.

NYR: 22-8-4 (48 POINTS)
VGK: 22-13-1 (45 POINTS)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6, 2022 – 10:00 PM ET, T-MOBILE ARENA
TV: MSG2, MSG+
RADIO: ESPN 1050 AM

Rangers last game: 4-1 win over Edmonton Oilers

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New York Rangers vs Vegas Golden Knights

All-Time: 2-3-2 (1-1-2 at home; 1-2-0 on the road)

The Rangers get set to start a five game road trip in Vegas, In five of their seven meetings, the games have been decided by two goals or less. Three have been decided by one goal.

Rangers that can crack Knights armor:

Mika Zibanejad – 7 GP, 6G-4A-10 PTS – Zibanejad has registered a point in each of his seven career games (and each of the Rangers’ first seven all-time games) against the Golden Knights.

Jacob Trouba – 8 GP, 1G-5A-6 PTS – Trouba has tallied points in three of his last five games (1G-5A) against the Golden Knights.

Chris Kreider – 6 GP, 4G-2A-6 PTS – Kreider has tallied a point in five of six career games against the Golden Knights.

Per New York Rangers Game Notes

new york rangers golden knights
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Rangers key numbers

Point Distribution: The Blueshirts are the only team in the NHL to have 4 players with at least 30 points (Panarin 36, Fox 35, Kreider 31, Zibanejad 30).

Road Warriors: This will be the Rangers 20th road game of the season, tied with Calgary for most in the NHL. Their 26 road points ranks 3rd in the league.

Rangers rising: The Rangers are 22-8-4 for 48 points and rank highly in several categories.

  • Tied for 2nd in wins (22)
  • Tied for 2nd in points (48)

Key Rangers:

Artemi Panarin’s 36 points is tied for 8th in NHL scoring

Adam Fox’s 35 points is for first in scoring among defensemen.

Chris Kreider’s 12 PPG ranks 2nd in the NHL, his 20 goals ranks tied for 4th.

Igor Shesterkin has never faced the Golden Knights.

NYR vs VGK
NYR vs VGK (full matchup here)

Rangers Milestones within reach

Chris Kreider 3 goals from 200 in his career. 1 point from tying Bard Park for 19th in all-time team scoring (378), and 2 PPG from tying Mark Messier for 8th all-time in team history (72).

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 1 win away from 50 in his career.

Rangers Special Teams

  • NYR PP is running at 25% (7th)
  • NYR PK is working at 84.85% (4th)

*Some Stats and Info courtesy New York Rangers

Three Keys for victory

  • Another complete effort – nothing less will do
  • Get on the PP – Vegas’ PK ranked 24th at 77%
  • Shoot the puck Mika! Zibanejad is in a goal scoring groove.

NHL Rumors

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Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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