December 15, 2020: This day in New York Rangers history

Historic day for hockey in New York City, but not the New York Rangers

What happened on December 15 in the history of the New York Rangers

On this date in 1925, the first NHL hockey game was played in New York City. It was a year before the New York Rangers were founded so the game was between the New  York Americans and the Montreal.  The Canadiens prevailed, winning 3-1.

Only ten players suited up for Montreal and 12 for the Amerks.  Shorty Green scored the first goal ever at MSG, at 11:50 of the first period.  Although the season began on November 26, the Americans played their first four games on the road, going 2-2.

That made this the first professional hockey game played at Madison Square Garden III,  known at the time as Madison Square Gardens.

The significance for the Rangers is that the owner of the Garden, Tex Rickard, was so impressed by the success of the Americans that he decided to apply for and was granted a franchise.  Tex’s Rangers began play the next season, breaking Rickard’s promise to the Americans’ owners that they would be the only team to play at the Garden.

A first in the Windy City

In 1926 on this date, the Rangers played their first game ever in Chicago, losing to the Blackhawks 6-2.  Bill Cook scored twice for the Blueshirts.   Mickey MacKay led the way for the Hawks who were in their inaugural season in the NHL, just like the Rangers.

The Rangers would go on to finish first in the newly created American Division with Chicago coming in third in a 44 game season.

The game was played at the 6,000 fan capacity Chicago Coliseum, the Blackhawks’ home until the construction of the Chicago Stadium.  The Rangers played there eight times with a record of 8-5.

Another Messier milestone

In 2001 on December 15, Mark Messier became the third player in NHL history to have 1,800 points.    He scored a goal late in the second in a 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres at Madison Square Garden to reach the mark only achieved by Wayne Gretzky and  Gordie Howe.

Messier, 40, almost didn’t play due to back spasms, but insisted on playing when Eric Lindros was out with a sprained knee.  He had an assist in the second period to set up the record setting goal.

Messier retired with a total of 1,887 points, passing Gordie Howe for second place.  Jaromir Jagr passed Messier to finish with 1,921.   Gretzky is tops overall with an astounding 2,857 poitns.

The numbers

On December 15 the Rangers are dead even with 16 wins (1 by shootout) and 16 losses along with eight ties in 40 games.

Games: 40
Regulation wins: 15
Regulation losses: 16
Ties: 8
Shootout wins: 1
Points percentage: .500

Looking back

On each day, we look back at what the Rangers did one, five and ten years ago.  They didn’t play last year, but five and ten years ago they had big wins against solid competition.

Last year – 2019:  No game

5 years ago – 2015: Rangers 4, Edmonton 2

The Rangers ended an Oilers six game winning streak with a 4-2 win at Madison Square Garden.  First round draft pick Dylan McIlrath scored the first of two goals as a Ranger.  Fellow first rounder Brady Skjei made his NHL debut in this game and played 14:54 after being promoted from the AHL.

The Rangers held the Oilers to 20 shots on goal with Henrik Lundqvist in net.  Also scoring for the Blueshirts was Mats Zuccarello, Rick Nash and Jesper Fast.

10 years ago – 2010:  Rangers 4, Pittsburgh 1

It lookied like a Evgeni Malkin goal with 13 seconds left in the first period would hold up as the Rangers were still scoreless with ten minutes to go in the game.  That’s when the Blueshirts exploded with four goals in 6:19 to blow past the Penguins.

Former Pen Erik Christiansen tied the score with a power play goal at 10:10.  15 second later, Alex Frolov scored to give the Rangers the lead and Artem Anismiov and Brian Boyle scored to seal the win.

It was a big game for the third place Rangers who pulled within  five points of the second place Penguins.