Rangers Recap: News and Notes from last night's win over the Kings

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NEW YORK RANGERS POST-GAME NOTES AND QUOTES

October 14, 2009 - New York Rangers 4, Los Angeles Kings 2 (Game #7, Home #4)

Click Here For The Official Game Summary

  • The Rangers defeated the Los Angeles Kings, 4-2, in front of a sold-out crowd (18,200) at Madison Square Garden to extend their winning streak to six games, their longest winning streak since they won seven in a row from Feb. 1, 2006 to Mar. 2, 2006.
  • New York have sold out 160 consecutive regular season games, dating back to November 5, 2005 against New Jersey; the last regular season non-sellout was October 31, 2005 vs. Montreal (17,697); including the playoffs, the Rangers sellout streak is now at 174 games.
  • The Blueshirts improved to 6-1-0 overall, including a 4-0-0 mark at home; the Rangers are in the midst of an eight-game home winning streak dating back to last season, and are 12-1-0 in their last 13 regular season games at MSG.
  • Vinny Prospal opened the game's scoring with a power play goal at 3:11 of the first period, and finished with a game-high, two goals and three points; his first tally of the game was his 200th career NHL goal, and he is currently tied for second in the league with 10 points on the season.
  • Rookie defenseman Michael Del Zotto collected two assists; he now leads all first-year players in the league and ranks second among all NHL defensemen with seven points (two goals and five assists).
  • Marian Gaborik notched one goal to extend his scoring streak to seven games; he is currently tied for the league lead in goals (six) and second in points (10).
  • Brian Boyle recorded his first goal/point as a Ranger with the game-winning tally at 2:17 of the second period.
  • Ales Kotalik registered two power play assists to extend his point streak to five games (three goals and seven points).
  • Henrik Lundqvist made a season-high, 34 saves to record his fifth straight win, his longest winning streak since he won five in a row from Mar. 17, 2007 to Mar. 25, 2007.
  • The Rangers do not have practice scheduled for tomorrow, October 15.
  • The Rangers return to action on Saturday, October 17, when they will face-off against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre (7:00 p.m.), in an Original Six matchup; the game will be televised live on MSG Network and can be heard on 1050 ESPN Radio.

POST-GAME QUOTES

John Tortorella on Marian Gaborik in the third period...

"That is where game breakers make it.  That is just a great shot tonight.  He killed penalties tonight.  I thought Gaborik was our best player in all facets of the game.  Third period is crunch time (and) he makes another big play tonight.  He is that guy that you need to make a big play.  Early in the season he has done that for us."

Henrik Lundqvist on tonight's game...

"It is not easy playing the third game at home in a row, five wins in a row.  You get a little comfortable.  That is the way it is.  The toughest part is, obviously, the mental part.  We know they are a really good team, they showed it, especially in the second period where we struggled.  The good part is that we don't panic.  We stay together and we know we can change the momentum of the game."

Marian Gaborik on Vinny Prospal...

"He is a great player.  He has been around for a while, for many years.  (He is) a great playmaker who works hard out there on every shift and you can see it.  He looks for players, he battles hard and it pays off."

Vinny Prospal on his 200th career goal...

"Obviously it is a milestone, but there are a lot of other players who have scored more goals than me.  It is something...you go back in time and you think about people who didn't think you would ever play in the NHL and then you get into that number and it is something that maybe I will look back onto when I am done and I can tell my kids.  It is nice, and you get it over with.  I remember the first goal I scored here was my 600th point and I tried last year to get that point and get it over with.  I am glad my personal milestones are behind me."