The New York Rangers will face the Toronto Maple Leafs for the third time this season. The two split the previous contests both played in Toronto.
Here’s the game day preview by the numbers.
NYR: 25-10-4 (54 POINTS)
TOR: 24-9-3 (51 POINTS)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 – 7:30 PM ET, MADISON SQUARE GARDEN
TV: TNT
RADIO: ESPN 98.7
Rangers last game: 3-2 win over Philadelphia Flyers
New York Rangers vs Toronto Maple Leafs
All-Time: 235-282-95-7 (134-116-56-4 at home; 101-166-39-3 on the road)
The Blueshirts are winners in 3 of the its last 4 meetings against the Leafs. At home the Rangers have won 2 of the last 3.
Rangers that can rake Leafs:
Chris Kreider – 21 GP, 5G-13A=18 PTS – Over his career, Kreider has points in 14 of 21 games against the Maple Leafs and has points in seven of his last nine games against Toronto (2G-8A). Kreider has recorded four multi- point games against Toronto.
Mika Zibanejad – 30 GP, 10G-8A=18 PTS – Zibanejad has points in four of his last five games against the Maple Leafs (3G-3A), five out of seven games, and has multi-point games in two of his last three outings against them.
Artemi Panarin – 15 GP, 5G-12A=17 PTS – Panarin scored the overtime winner in the first meeting with the Maple Leafs on October 18. Panarin has at least one point in 11 of his 15 career matchups against the Maples Leafs, including two three-point games and two games with two points. Panarin has points in six of his past eight games against Toronto (2G-6A).
Per New York Rangers Game Notes
Rangers key numbers
Point Distribution: The Blueshirts are one of two teams (Colorado Avalanche) in the NHL to have 4 players with at least 35 points (Fox 39, Panarin 38, Zibanejad 35, Kreider 35).
Home Cooking: NY has points in 12 of 15 home games this season (10-3-2).
Czar of NY: Igor Shesterkin is 2-1-0 lifetime against the Leafs with a .941 SV%, and 1.98 GAA. He’s won four straight starts with two shutouts.
Key Rangers:
Adam Fox’s 39 points is ranks third in scoring among defensemen.
Chris Kreider’s 12 PPG ranks 2nd in the NHL, his 24 goals ranks 4th.
Mika Zibanejad has 8 points in his last 7 games and riding a 5 game point streak.
Rangers Milestones within reach
Chris Kreider is 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.
Ryan Reaves is 1 goal away from 50 in his career.
Kaapo Kakko is 1 game shy of 150 in his career.
Jacob Trouba is 3 games away from 150 with the Rangers
Gerard Gallant is 5 wins away from 300 in his career
Rangers Special Teams
- NYR PP is running at 23.21% (10th)
- NYR PK is working at 85.59% (3rd)
*Some Stats and Info courtesy New York Rangers
Three Keys for victory
- Work the Leafs down low – Toronto is doing a great job defensively this season
- Scoring first is imperative in these big matchups
- Get gritty again – Having Reaves, Goodrow, Rooney, and Hunt all back will help
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