Blueshirt Breakdown: NYR 6 vs. CAR 2 - Game 7
by New York Rangers @NYRangers
MOVING ON - For the first time since 2015 and fourth time since 2012, the Rangers have advanced to the Eastern Conference Final. It is the 32nd time in team history that the Blueshirts have advanced to play in the round before the Stanley Cup Final (7 conference finals, 25 semifinals). New York's fourth Conference Final appearance since 2012 is the second most among all teams, trailing only Tampa Bay (6).
NO QUIT IN NY - The Blueshirts (3-1 vs. PIT, 2-0 vs. CAR) became the fourth team in Stanley Cup Playoffs history to win multiple series in one year after facing a multi-game deficit in each. The other teams: 2011 Bruins (2-0 vs. MTL & VAN), 2009 Penguins (2-0 vs. WSH & DET) and 2003 Wild (3-1 vs. COL & VAN). Tonight was New York's fifth elimination game win of the playoffs, tying the 2014 team for the most in a single playoff year. It is the third time in the past 10 postseasons that a team has won at least five games when facing elimination (LAK - 2014, NYR - 2022, 2014). The Blueshirts won when trailing 2-0 in a best-of-seven series for the third time in team history (2013 CQF vs. WSH, 1996 CQF vs. MTL) and the second time when starting on the road (1-21 previously).
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - New York improved to 11-6 overall in Game 7s and 8-1 in its past nine Game 7s. The Rangers have won multiple Game 7s in a playoff year for now the fourth time in club history (2014, 2012, 1994). Tonight, the Rangers earned their third Game 7 victory on the road (2014 SR at PIT, 2013 CQF at WSH). Dating back to 2012, the Rangers have won seven-straight Game 7s (10-3 overall) in which they've scored the first goal and are 9-0 in Game 7s when leading after two periods. The Blueshirts scored six-plus goals in a Game 7 for the second time in franchise history (1992 DSF vs. NJD, 8-4).
MULTI-GOAL MAN ADVANTAGE - New York extended its power-play goal streak to five games with two goals on the man advantage. It is the fifth time in team history that the Rangers have recorded power play goals in five consecutive playoff games (5 GP - 1995, 5 GP - 1994, 6 GP - 1990, 6 GP - 1986). The Rangers scored multiple power play goals in a Game 7 for the fourth time in team history (1994 SCF, 1992 DSF, 1950 SCF). Additionally, it is the third time in these playoffs the Blueshirts have scored multiple power play goals in a game (Games 6 and 7 vs. Carolina, Game 6 vs. Pittsburgh).
DEFENSE MECHANISM - The Blueshirts finished the series with a 20-13 goal differential, allowing two or fewer goals in six of seven games. On the penalty kill, the Rangers finished with a 17-for-18 mark against Carolina, including a 4-for-4 feat in Game 7.
- Chris Kreider scored two goals in Game 7, becoming the fourth Rangers skater to record a multi-goal game in a Game 7, with the other three all coming in the 1992 Division Semifinals against New Jersey: Adam Graves (2), Mark Messier (2) and Darren Turcotte (2). With the win, Kreider improved to 7-1 in Game 7s - only six players in NHL history have more Game 7 wins: Glenn Anderson (8), Ray Bourque (8), Brad Richards (8), Justin Williams (8), Ryan McDonagh (8) and Carl Hagelin (8). Kreider's two goals give him 15 in elimination situations over his career, surpassing Alex Ovechkin (13) for the most among active skaters. The only players in NHL history with either the same or more are Mark Messier (16), Jaromir Jagr (15), Maurice Richard (15), Gilbert Perreault (15) and Justin Williams (15). Kreider's first goal came on the power play. This season, Kreider has a combined 32 special teams goals (PP + SH), the most since Mario Lemieux's 43 in 1995-96. Kreider reached the 60-goal plateau (regular season and playoffs combined) in 2021-22 and joined Adam Graves in 1993-94 (62) as the second player in Rangers history to score 60-plus goals in the regular season and playoffs combined. Kreider also continues to climb franchise ranks as he became the sixth player in Rangers history to record 50 career playoff points (32G-18A), joining Brian Leetch (89), Mark Messier (80), Rod Gilbert (67), Don Maloney (57) and Walt Tkaczuk (51). Kreider's 94 playoff games played for New York surpassed Walt Tkaczuk for the fifth most in franchise history.
- Mika Zibanejad registered three assists, becoming the second player in franchise history to record three-plus assists in a Game 7 (James Patrick - 1992 DSF vs. NJD). In two Game 7s this year, Zibanejad has one goal and five assists for six points, the most points in Game 7s in a single postseason in franchise history. Zibanejad's 19 points are the third most in these playoffs in the NHL and are tied for the seventh most in one single playoff year in franchise history.
- Adam Fox opened the scoring for the Rangers with his fifth goal of the postseason and later added an assist. Fox leads all NHL defensemen in these playoffs with five goals, 13 assists and 18 points. His five goals are tied for the fourth most in a single playoff year by a Rangers defenseman, his 13 assists rank tied for third and his 18 points are the third most by a New York d-man in one playoff year.
- Igor Shesterkin stopped 37 of 39 shots to become the third goaltender in Rangers history to win multiple career Game 7s (2-0). He joins Henrik Lundqvist (6-2) and Mike Richter (2-0). Shesterkin has five wins in his career when facing elimination, the second most in Rangers history behind Henrik Lundqvist (16). Since Game 5 of the First Round against Pittsburgh, Igor Shesterkin has recorded a 7-3 record, .939 save percentage and 2.09 goals against average. He allowed two or fewer goals in all but one game (Game 5) in this series.
- Andrew Copp recorded his third multi-point game of the playoffs (Game 4 vs. CAR, Game 7 vs. PIT) with a goal and an assist. Copp has six goals and six assists for 12 points in 14 games in these playoffs. Since joining the Rangers, Copp has accumulated 30 points in 30 games (8G-10A in 16 RS GP & 6G-6A in 14 PS GP). Copp has the second-most playoff points among in-season additions behind Edmonton forward Evander Kane (15 PTS in 12 GP). Copp needs four points to match the most by an in-season acquisition in Rangers history, achieved by Steve Larmer in 1994 (16 PTS in 23 GP).
- Ryan Strome scored what ended up being the game-winning tally for the Rangers, his third career playoff game-winning goal. Strome has now recorded a point in his first three career Game 7s (also 1A in 2022 R1 & 2015 R1 w/ NYI). Strome has points in three of his last four games (1G-2A).
- Artemi Panarin tallied an assist, giving him points (2G-2A) in four of the Blueshirts' five elimination games this postseason. Panarin's assist was his 107th total point this season, the most since Jaromir Jagr also had 107 points in 2006-07.
- Filip Chytil scored his third goal in the past two games to put the Blueshirts ahead 5-1. Chytil has five goals and one assist for six points after two rounds.
- Alexis Lafrenière registered an assist for the second game in a row and has two goals and five assists for seven points in 14 games.
- Frank Vatrano collected his fifth assist of the playoffs, giving him eight points (3G-5A) through two rounds. Since joining the Rangers on March 17, Vatrano has accumulated 21 points (11G-10A) in 36 games.
- Barclay Goodrow recorded an assist on Copp's empty-net goal for his first point of these playoffs. Goodrow improved to 4-0 in his career in Game 7s.
- K'Andre Miller notched an assist, his fourth of the playoffs. Miller had 23:55 of time-on-ice in the win, the third most on the Rangers.
- Kaapo Kakko registered his first point of the series with an assist, giving him three points (1G-2A) in 14 playoff games.