Rangers vs Panthers matchup: Big test before the break
The New York Rangers will face the Florida Panthers for the third time this season. Florida is firing on all cylinders offensively and this will be a huge test for the Blueshirts.
Head coach Gerard Gallant is also seeking career win 300.
Here’s the game day preview by the numbers.
NYR: 29-13-4 (62 POINTS)
FLA: 31-9-5 (67 POINTS)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2022 – 7:00 PM ET, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
TV: ESPN+, HULU
RADIO: ESPN 98.7 FM
Rangers last game: 3-2 win over the Seattle Kraken
New York Rangers vs Florida Panthers
All-Time: 56-32-6-8 (29-15-4-3 at home; 27-17-2-5 on the road)
The Rangers have at least one point in 11 of their last 14 against the Panthers (7-3-4). Both team split 4-3 wins on their own home ice this season.
If the Rangers win tonight, it will give them 30 wins before the All-Star Break. First time since 2016-17.
Rangers on the Hunt:
Chris Kreider – 25 GP, 9G-12A—21P – Kreider has points (6G-7A) in seven of his last nine games and is a plus-8 against the Panthers dating back to November 28, 2017. Kreider has two three-point games and three multi-point games in his career against Florida. With 21 points, Kreider has the fifth most points all-time for a Ranger against the Panthers.
Mika Zibanejad – 22 GP, 8G-9A—17P – Zibanejad has points in six-straight games (5G-6A) and nine of his past 11 games against Florida. Zibanejad has multi-point efforts in both games against the Panthers this season, posting two assists in the first meeting and one goal and one assist in the second.
Artemi Panarin – 13 GP, 3G-14A—17P – Panarin is currently riding a nine-game point streak (3G-13A) against the Panthers, including a four-point (1G-3A) output on Oct. 11, 2018 while with Columbus. Panarin had two assists in the first matchup between the teams and a goal and an assist in the most recent meeting in Sunrise on Dec. 29.
Per New York Rangers Game Notes
Rangers key numbers
Home is where the wins are: The Rangers boast a home winning percentage of .750, tied for 6th in the NHL.
Key Rangers:
Adam Fox’s 47 points are 1st in scoring among defensemen.
Chris Kreider’s 31 goals are tied for 1st in the NHL, his 15 PPG ranks first.
Artemi Panarin’s 49 points is tied for 8th in the NHL.
Igor Shesterkin is 1-1-0, with 909 SV%, and 3.57 GAA for his career vs Florida.
FULL MATCHUP STATS HERE
Rangers Milestones within reach
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.
Gerard Gallant is 1 win away from 300 in his career.
Rangers Special Teams
- NYR PP is running at 24.63% (10th)
- NYR PK is working at 82.96% (8th)
*Some Stats and Info courtesy New York Rangers
Three Keys for victory
- Defense must come first – Panthers are the highest scoring team in the NHL.
- Special teams will be key.
- Let it all hang out – Rangers will have two weeks off after this one.
NHL Rumors
The latest rumors swirling around the Canuck and Canadiens. Read more here.
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