2011-12 New York Rangers season

The 2011–12 New York Rangers season was the National Hockey League franchise's 85th season of play and their 86th season overall. The Rangers finished the regular season in first place in the Eastern Conference, winning the Atlantic Division title, the franchise's seventh division title, and their first since the 1993–94 championship season. In the playoffs, the Rangers reached the Conference Finals for the first time since 1997, losing to the New Jersey Devils in six games.
==Off-season==
On April 11, 2011, it was announced that the Rangers will open the 2011–12 NHL season in Stockholm, Sweden, on October 7, 2011, against the Los Angeles Kings, and on October 8 against the Anaheim Ducks as part of the 2011 NHL Premiere.Rangers open next season in Sweden
On May 13, Rangers forward Derek Boogaard was found dead in his apartment. Boogaard had played in 22 games for the Rangers during the 2010–11 season after signing a four-year deal with the Rangers in the previous off-season.Derek Boogaard passes away at age 28
On June 29, Rangers captain Chris Drury's contract was bought out.Rangers buy out Drury's contractDrury's Rangers career ends today
On July 2, free agent Brad Richards signed a nine-year contract worth almost $60 million with the Rangers. Richards had been considered to be the top free agent of 2011.
On August 4, Sean Avery was arrested at his home in Hollywood Hills for battery on a police officer after pushing an officer that was trying to break up a party at Avery's home.REPORT: AVERY ARRESTED FOR BATTERY ON A POLICE OFFICER
On September 12, the Rangers announced that Ryan Callahan would be the 26th captain in New York Rangers history.Callahan named Rangers' 26th captain Brad Richards and Marc Staal were named as alternate captains.
On September 26, the NHL officially announced that the Rangers would face the Philadelphia Flyers on January 2, 2012, in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies.It's Rangers vs. Flyers in Winter Classic As part of the Winter Classic festivities, the Rangers were featured in HBO's 24/7 series.Rangers to be featured on HBO's '24/7' The throwback jerseys the Rangers wore for the Winter Classic were unveiled at an event on November 28.Rangers unveil Winter Classic jersey
==Regular season==
On December 10, the Rangers won their 2,500th game in franchise history at the Buffalo Sabres, 4–1.NYR win No. 2,500 truly a sweet one 
On December 17, in a game against the Phoenix Coyotes in Phoenix, Brad Richards scored the game-winning goal with 0.01 left in the third period to win the game for the Rangers 3–2 at the last possible moment in regulation. 
On January 2, 2012, the Rangers beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3–2 in the 2012 NHL Winter Classic, moving into first place overall in the NHL for the first time at this point in the season since the 1995–96 season.
On January 6, thanks to the Rangers 1st place standing in the Eastern Conference, head coach John Tortorella was named as one of the coaches for the 2012 NHL All-Star Game.Tortorella to coach in NHL All-Star Game
The Rangers set an NHL record by not allowing more than 4 goals in regulation in a game through the first 69 games of the season. The Rangers, with back-up goaltender Martin Biron playing, lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 15 by a score of 5–2 to break the streak.Without Henrik, Rangers fall at home
From March 11 to March 23, the Rangers had a seven-game homestand (playing every other day during that span), tying a franchise record for most consecutive games played at MSG. The other time this occurred was between December 10 and December 23 of the 2001–02 season.
The Rangers became the first Eastern Conference team to clinch a playoff spot with a 4–2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on March 20.Rangers down Devils to clinch playoff berth at home
With a victory on March 24 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Rangers reached the 100 point plateau for the seventh time in franchise history, and the first time since the 2005–06 season.Rangers beat Leafs, reach 101 points
On March 28, Henrik Lundqvist notched his 250th career win as the Broadway Blueshirts netminder, thus becoming the 45th goalie in NHL history to reach this plateau, in a 4–2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at the MTS Centre.
With a 5–3 win at the Philadelphia Flyers on April 3, the Rangers clinched the Atlantic Division title and first place in the Eastern Conference with their 51st win in their 80th game of the season. The Rangers had been in first place in the Conference since December 30, 2011. It was the first of either kind for the Rangers since winning the 1994 Stanley Cup.
==Postseason==
On May 2, 2012, Marian Gaborik scored 14:41 into the third overtime of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals to defeat the Washington Capitals 2–1 at the Verizon Center. This was longest playoff game for the Rangers since April 29, 1971, when Pete Stemkowski scored in the third overtime for a 3–2 win in Game 6 of the 1971 Semifinals over the Chicago Blackhawks at Madison Square Garden. Later in the series with Washington, on May 7, 2012, Brad Richards tied Game 5 with 7.6 seconds to go, the latest the Rangers have ever tied a playoff game. Marc Staal then scored to win the game at 1:35 of overtime.
==Standings==
===Divisional standings===
===Conference standings===
==Schedule and results==
===Pre-season===
2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)	2011 pre-season game log: 4–2–1 (home: 0–0–1; road: 4–2–0)
# 	Date 	Opponent 	Score 	Decision 	Record 	 	 	 	 	
1 	September 21 (in Albany, New York) 	New Jersey Devils 	2 – 1 OT 	Talbot 	0–0–1 	 	 	 	 	
2 	September 23 	@ New Jersey Devils 	4–3 	Johnson 	1–0–1 	 	 	 	 	
3 	September 26 	@ Philadelphia Flyers 	5–3 	Lundqvist 	1–1–1 	 	 	 	 	
4 	September 29 (in Prague, Czech Republic) 	@ HC Sparta Prague 	2–0 	Biron 	2–1–1 	 	 	 	 	
5 	September 30 (in Gothenburg, Sweden) 	@ Frolunda Indians 	4–2 	Lundqvist 	3–1–1 	 	 	 	 	
6 	October 2 (in Bratislava, Slovakia) 	@ HC Slovan 	4–1 	Lundqvist 	4–1–1 	 	 	 	 	
7 	October 3 (in Zug, Switzerland) 	@ EV Zug 	8–4 	Biron 	4–2–1 	 	 	 	 	
===Regular season===
2011–12 game log	2011–12 game log 	 	 	 	
October: 4–3–3, 11 points (home: 1–1–1; road: 3–2–2)
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Game 	October 	Opponent 	Score 	Decision 	Record
1 	7 (in Stockholm, Sweden)	@ Los Angeles Kings 	3 – 2 (OT)	Lundqvist	0–0–1
2 	8 (in Stockholm, Sweden)	@ Anaheim Ducks 	2 – 1 (SO)	Lundqvist	0–0–2
3 	15 	@ New York Islanders	4–2 	Lundqvist	0–1–2
4 	18 	@ Vancouver Canucks 	4–0 	Lundqvist	1–1–2
5 	20 	@ Calgary Flames 	3 – 2 (OT)	Lundqvist	2–1–2
6 	22 	@ Edmonton Oilers 	2–0 	Lundqvist	2–2–2
7 	24 	@ Winnipeg Jets 	2–1 	Biron 	3–2–2
8 	27 	Toronto Maple Leafs 	4–2 	Lundqvist	3–3–2
9 	29 	Ottawa Senators 	5 – 4 (SO)	Lundqvist	3–3–3
10 	31 	San Jose Sharks 	5–2 	Biron 	4–3–3
===Detailed records===
Eastern Conference 	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference	Eastern Conference
Opponent 	Home 	Away 	Total 	Pts. 	Goals scored 	Goals allowed
Atlantic Division 	Atlantic Division 	Atlantic Division 	Atlantic Division 	Atlantic Division 	Atlantic Division 	Atlantic Division
New Jersey Devils 	2–1–0 	1–1–1 	3–2–1 	7 	14 	12
New York Islanders 	3–0–0 	1–1–1 	4–1–1 	9 	20 	15
New York Rangers 	– 	– 	– 	– 	– 	–
Philadelphia Flyers	3–0–0 	3–0–0 	6–0–0 	12 	24 	11
Pittsburgh Penguins	1–2–0 	1–2–0 	2–4–0 	4 	12 	20
 	9–3–0 	6–4–2 	15–7–2 	32 	70 	58
Northeast Division 	Northeast Division	Northeast Division	Northeast Division	Northeast Division	Northeast Division	Northeast Division
Boston Bruins 	1–1–0 	2–0–0 	3–1–0 	6 	11 	7
Buffalo Sabres 	1–1–0 	2–0–0 	3–1–0 	6 	8 	7
Montreal Canadiens 	2–0–0 	0–2–0 	2–2–0 	4 	10 	12
Ottawa Senators 	0–1–1 	1–1–0 	1–2–1 	3 	8 	14
Toronto Maple Leafs	0–2–0 	2–0–0 	2–2–0 	4 	11 	11
 	4–5–1 	7–3–0 	11–8–1 	23 	49 	51
Southeast Division 	Southeast Division	Southeast Division	Southeast Division	Southeast Division	Southeast Division	Southeast Division
Carolina Hurricanes	2–0–0 	2–0–0 	4–0–0 	8 	17 	8
Florida Panthers 	2–0–0 	1–1–0 	3–1–0 	6 	14 	6
Tampa Bay Lightning	1–0–1 	1–0–1 	2–0–2 	6 	13 	12
Washington Capitals	1–1–0 	1–1–0 	2–2–0 	4 	11 	13
Winnipeg Jets 	2–0–0 	2–0–0 	4–0–0 	8 	12 	3
 	8–1–1 	7–2–1 	15–3–2 	32 	67 	42
Western Conference 	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference	Western Conference
Opponent 	Home 	Away 	Total 	Pts. 	Goals scored 	Goals allowed
Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division 	Central Division
Chicago Blackhawks 	0–1–0 	0–1–0 	0–2–0 	0 	5 	8
Columbus Blue Jackets	1–0–0 	0–0–0 	1–0–0 	2 	3 	2
Detroit Red Wings 	1–0–0 	0–0–0 	1–0–0 	2 	2 	1
Nashville Predators 	1–0–0 	0–0–0 	1–0–0 	2 	3 	0
St. Louis Blues 	0–0–0 	0–1–0 	0–1–0 	0 	1 	4
 	3–1–0 	0–2–0 	3–3–0 	6 	14 	15
Northwest Division 	Northwest Division	Northwest Division	Northwest Division	Northwest Division	Northwest Division	Northwest Division
Calgary Flames 	0–0–0 	1–0–0 	1–0–0 	2 	3 	2
Colorado Avalanche 	0–1–0 	0–0–0 	0–1–0 	0 	1 	3
Edmonton Oilers 	0–0–0 	0–1–0 	0–1–0 	0 	0 	2
Minnesota Wild 	0–0–0 	1–0–0 	1–0–0 	2 	3 	2
Vancouver Canucks 	0–0–0 	1–0–0 	1–0–0 	2 	4 	0
 	0–1–0 	3–1–0 	3–2–0 	6 	11 	9
Pacific Division 	Pacific Division 	Pacific Division 	Pacific Division 	Pacific Division 	Pacific Division 	Pacific Division
Anaheim Ducks 	1–0–0 	0–0–1 	1–0–1 	3 	3 	3
Dallas Stars 	0–1–0 	0–0–0 	0–1–0 	0 	0 	1
Los Angeles Kings 	0–0–0 	0–0–1 	0–0–1 	1 	2 	3
Phoenix Coyotes 	1–0–0 	1–0–0 	2–0–0 	4 	5 	3
San Jose Sharks 	1–0–0 	0–0–0 	1–0–0 	2 	5 	2
 	3–0–0 	1–1–2 	4–1–2 	10 	15 	12
==Playoffs==
The New York Rangers ended the 2011–12 regular season as the Eastern Conference's 1st seed. They faced the #8 seed Ottawa Senators in the first round. The Rangers battled back from a 3-2 series deficit to defeat the Senators in seven games. The Rangers defeated the #7 seed Washington Capitals their second round opponent, in seven games. In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Rangers faced the #6 seed New Jersey Devils. After leading the series 2-1, the Rangers lost 3 games in a row and lost the series 4-2.
Key: Win Loss 
2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs 	2012 Stanley Cup playoffs
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Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3	Eastern Conference Quarterfinals: vs. (8) Ottawa Senators – Rangers win series 4-3
# 	Date 	Visitor 	Score 	Home 	OT 	Decision 	Series 	 	
1 	April 12 	Ottawa Senators 	2 – 4 	New York Rangers 	 	Lundqvist 	Rangers lead series 1–0 	 	
2 	April 14 	Ottawa Senators 	3 – 2 	New York Rangers 	OT 	Lundqvist 	Series tied 1–1 	 	
3 	April 16 	New York Rangers 	1 – 0 	Ottawa Senators 	 	Lundqvist 	Rangers lead series 2–1 	 	
4 	April 18 	New York Rangers 	2 – 3 	Ottawa Senators 	OT 	Lundqvist 	Series tied 2–2 	 	
5 	April 21 	Ottawa Senators 	2 – 0 	New York Rangers 	 	Lundqvist 	Senators lead series 3–2 	 	
6 	April 23 	New York Rangers 	3 – 2 	Ottawa Senators 	 	Lundqvist 	Series tied 3–3 	 	
7 	April 26 	Ottawa Senators 	1 – 2 	New York Rangers 	 	Lundqvist 	Rangers win series 4–3 	 	
==Transactions==
The Rangers have been involved in the following transactions during the 2011–12 season:
===Trades===
Date 	Details	Details
May 8, 2011Rangers obtain Lindberg for Werek 	To Phoenix Coyotes 
----
Ethan Werek	To New York Rangers 
----
Oscar Lindberg
June 1, 2011Rangers get Erixon in deal with Flames 	To Calgary Flames 
----
Roman HorakTwo 2nd-round picks (#45 and #57 overall) in 2011	To New York Rangers 
----
Tim Erixon5th-round pick (#134 overall) in 2011
June 25, 2011Grachev dealt for a pick to land Fogarty 	To St. Louis Blues 
----
Evgeny Grachev	To New York Rangers 
----
3rd-round pick (#72 overall) in 2011
June 25, 2011Rangers make six picks at 2011 draft 	To Nashville Predators 
----
6th-round pick in 2012	To New York Rangers 
----
6th-round pick (#172 overall) in 2011
July 2, 2011Blueshirts get Thuresson from Preds 	To Nashville Predators
----
Brodie Dupont	To New York Rangers 
----
Andreas Thuresson
November 8, 2011Rangers deal for Francois Bouchard 	To Washington Capitals
----
Tomas Kundratek	To New York Rangers 
----
Francois Bouchard
February 3, 2012Rangers obtain Wellman from Minnesota 	To Minnesota Wild
----
Erik ChristensenConditional 7th-round pick in 2013	To New York Rangers 
----
Casey Wellman
February 25, 2012Wolski traded for Vernace, draft pick	To Florida Panthers
----
Wojtek Wolski	To New York Rangers 
----
Michael Vernace3rd-round pick in 2013
February 27, 2012Rangers obtain Scott from Blackhawks 	To Chicago Blackhawks
----
5th-round pick in 2012	To New York Rangers 
----
John Scott
|}
=== Free agents signed ===
Player 	Former team 	Contract terms
Blake ParlettBlueshirts add defenseman Parlett 	Connecticut Whale 	2 years, $1.075 million entry-level contract
Mike RuppRupp joins Blueshirts as a free agent 	Pittsburgh Penguins 	3 years, $4.5 million
Brad RichardsRangers land All-Star center Richards 	Dallas Stars 	9 years, $58.5 million
Brendan BellRangers Agree To Terms With Free Agent Defenseman Brendan Bell	EHC Biel 	1 year, $525,000
Andre DeveauxBlueshirts add Deveaux as free agent 	Chicago Wolves 	1 year, $525,000
Anton StralmanRangers add defenseman Stralman 	Columbus Blue Jackets	1 year, $900,000
Marek HrivikHrivik gets first NHL deal with Rangers 	Connecticut Whale 	3 years, $1.925 million entry-level contract
===Free agents lost===
Player 	New team 	Contract terms
Alexander FrolovAlex Frolov signs with KHL one year after he should have	Avangard Omsk 	3 years
Jeremy Williams 	EC Red Bull Salzburg 	1 year
Matt GilroyLightning Sign Free Agent Defenseman Matt Gilroy 	Tampa Bay Lightning 	1 year, $1 million
Vinny ProspalBlue Jackets Sign Vinny Prospal 	Columbus Blue Jackets	1 year, $1.75 million
=== Claimed via waivers ===
Player 	Former team 	Date claimed off waivers
Jeff WoywitkaRangers claim Woywitka from Habs	Montreal Canadiens	October 6, 2011
=== Lost via waivers ===
Player 	New team 	Date claimed off waivers
Dale WeiseCanucks claim Dale Weise off waivers	Vancouver Canucks	October 4, 2011
=== Lost via buyout ===
Player
Chris DruryRangers buy out final season of Chris Drury's contract
===Player signings===
Player 	Date 	Contract terms
Jason WilsonRangers, Wilson agree to terms 	May 12, 2011 	3 years, $1.765 million entry-level contract
Christian ThomasThomas agrees to first NHL contract 	May 19, 2011 	3 years, $2.515 million entry-level contract
Scott StajcerRangers, Stajcer agree to contract terms	May 20, 2011 	3 years, $1.86 million entry-level contract
Tim Erixon 	June 1, 2011 	3 years, $2.7 million entry-level contract
Chad KolarikRangers, Kolarik agree on an extension 	June 17, 2011 	2 years, $1.05 million
Dale WeiseWeise agrees to contract extension 	June 27, 2011 	1 year, $605,000
John MitchellMitchell, Rangers agree on extension 	June 30, 2011 	1 year, $650,000
Ruslan FedotenkoFedotenko returning with new deal 	July 1, 2011 	1 year, $1.4 million
Michael SauerRangers agree to terms with Sauer 	July 8, 2011 	2 years, $2.5 million
Artem AnisimovAnisimov returning with new contract 	July 8, 2011 	2 years, $3.75 million
Brian BoyleRangers agree to terms with Boyle 	July 15, 2011 	3 years, $5.1 million
Brandon DubinskyRangers, Dubinsky agree to terms 	July 21, 2011 	4 years, $16.8 million
Steve EmingerEminger returning to Blueshirts 	July 25, 2011 	1 year, $800,000
Ryan CallahanCallahan agrees to contract terms 	July 27, 2011 	3 years, $12.825 million
J. T. MillerFirst-rounder Miller agrees to terms 	July 28, 2011 	3 years, $2.775 million entry-level contract
Andrew YoganRangers agree to terms with Yogan 	March 26, 2012	3 years, $1.965 million entry-level contract
Chris KreiderRangers, Kreider agree to contract terms	April 10, 2012	3 years, $2.4 million entry-level contract
Jesper FastRangers agree to terms with Fast 	May 29, 2012 	3 years, $2.415 million entry-level contract
Oscar LindbergLindberg agrees to contract terms 	June 1, 2012 	3 years, $2.025 million entry-level contract
==Draft picks==
New York's picks at the 2011 NHL Entry Draft in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Round	# 	Player 	Position	Nationality	College/junior/club team (league)
1 	15 	J. T. Miller 	LW 	 	US NTDP (USHL)
3 	72 (from St. Louis) 	Steven Fogarty 	C 	 	Edina High School (Minnesota HS)
4 	106 	Michael St. Croix	C 	 	Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
5 	134 (from Calgary) 	Shane McColgan 	RW 	 	Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
5 	136 	Samuel Noreau 	D 	 	Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
6 	172 (from Nashville)	Peter Ceresnak 	D 	 	Trencin Jr. (Slovakia-Jr.)
== See also ==
* 2011–12 NHL season
==Farm teams==
===Connecticut Whale (AHL)===
The 2011–12 season will be the 15th season of AHL hockey for the franchise. This will be the franchise's first full season as the Connecticut Whale.
===Greenville Road Warriors (ECHL)===
The 2011–12 season will be the 2nd season of affiliation for the Rangers and the Road Warriors.
==References==
Category:New York Rangers seasons
New York Rangers season, 2011–12