Rangers vs Lightning matchup: Dive into key stats for last game of 2021
The New York Rangers will face the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time this season. It will also kickoff the first game of a home-and-home series that concludes Sunday.
Here’s the game day preview by the numbers.
NYR: 19-8-4 (42 POINTS)
TBL: 21-7-4 (46 POINTS)
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2021 – 7:00 PM ET, AMALIE ARENA
TV: MSG PLUS
RADIO: ESPN 1050 AM
Rangers last game: 4-3 loss to Florida Panthers
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Rangers key numbers
All-Time: 49-41-5-8 (27-19-2-5 at home; 22-22-3-3 on the road)
The Rangers have not forgotten a 9-3 drubbing they suffered on November 14, 2019 in Tampa. New York has earned at least one point in tow of the last three meetings (1-1-1).
Rangers Bolts defusers:
Ryan Strome – 19 GP, 4G-7A—11P – Strome has points in four of his past six games (2G-3A) against Tampa Bay. Strome has two career multi-point games against the Lightning and at least one point in nine of 19 career games against the team.
Mika Zibanejad – 24 GP, 2G-7A—9P – Zibanejad has three points (1G-2A) in his past two games against the Lightning and has a point in four of his past six games (1G-4A) against Tampa Bay.
Jacob Trouba – 13 GP, 3G-5A—8P – Trouba has seven points (3G-4A) in his last eight 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 #20: The Blueshirts are looking to be the fifth NHL team this season to record 20 wins. NY is 14-6-3 in their last 23 games despite only losing five of their last seven.
What a year: The Rangers are 46-31-10 for the 2021 calendar year heading into tonight’s matchup. Artemi Panarin registered 93 points in 72 games for 2021 with one game left to play.
Key Rangers:
Artemi Panarin’s 35 points is tied for 6th in NHL scoring
Adam Fox’s 31 points is ranks 2nd for defensemen in scoring.
Chris Kreider’s 11 PPG ranks 2nd in the NHL, his 19 goals ranks 4th.
Igor Shesterkin has never faced the Lightning in his career..
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 25% (6th)
- NYR PK is working at 84.62% (5th)
*Some Stats and Info courtesy New York Rangers
Three Keys for victory
- Rangers need to play a full 60 minutes (repeat on loop)
- Tampa is using their third and fourth goalies due to COVID, traffic and shots aplenty are needed
- Play a more north-south game and minimize turnovers
NHL Trade Rumors
The Habs are likely to move Toffoli at the deadline. NY Rangers cap crunch and rescheduling updates. Read more.
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