December 30 in NYR history: A record for Ron Greschner

New York Rangers rookie Ron Greschner was barely 20 years old when he got three points in a game

What happened on December 30th in the history of the New York Rangers

On this date in 1974, Ron Greschner broke a record for the New York Rangers that had stood for over a decade.  He notched three points, all assists, in an 8-1 win over the Minnesota North Stars, becoming the youngest Rangers defenseman to accomplish that feat.  He was 20 years and eight days old and he broke the record set by Rod Seiling who had been 20 years and 14 days old when he did it in 1964.

Greschner remains the youngest defenseman in franchise history to get three points in a game and at the time he was the second youngest Rangers player to accomplish that feat. Winger Jackie McLeod had a goal and two assists in a game on February 23, 1950 when he was 19 years, 299 days old. Mike Allison holds the team record, scoring three points at 19 years, 197 days in an 8-3 win at Toronto on October 11, 1980.

Incidentally, the NHL record belongs to Bep Guidolin of the Boston Bruins who was all of 17 years, 34 days old when he had two goals and an assist  on January 12, 1943.

A streak starts

On this date in 1934, the Boston Bruins and the Rangers played a 0-0 tie at Madison Square Garden.  Dave Kerr was in net for the Rangers and Tiny Thompson was the goalie for Boston.  What made this notable was that Boston went on to go undefeated in the next 36 games in overtime.

That 37 game unbeaten streak is the longest in NHL history.  Boston won ten games and 27 ended in a tie and it lasted four years.

Ranger goalie Dave Kerr registered eight 0-0 ties in his career with the Blueshirts, the most in franchise history. Most recently, Henrik Lundqvist had five 0-0 games go to a shootout of which he won two and lost three.

Today’s birthdays

A Hall of Famer and a player who the Rangers hope will be a Hall of Famer make the list of Rangers born on December 30.

On this date in 1883, Lester Patrick was born in Drummondville, Quebec.  A defenseman, Patrick played on regular season game for the Blueshirts in their inaugural season.  Known as “The Silver Fox,” Patrick was hired by the Rangers to be their coach and general manager.  He coached the team for 13 years, leading them to two Stanley Cups and missing the playoffs only once.

He stepped down as coach in 1939, hiring Frank Boucher while remaining as GM.   He finally relinquished that role in 1946 after winning another Cup in 1940.  He is most famous for stepping in and playing goal in the 1928 Stanley Cup Finals when his netminder, Lorne Chabot, was hit by a puck in the eye.  The 44 year old Patrick allowed one goal and won the game in overtime.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1947.

On this date in 1995, Igor Shesterkin was born in Moscow.  Going into his rookie year, he is the preseason favorite to win the Calder Trophy after a spectacular 12 game debut in the 2019-20 season.

The numbers

The New York Rangers own December 30.  They have played 30 times on this date and have only lost three times.  The .783 points percentage on this date is one of the best.

Games: 30
Regulation wins: 18
Regulation losses: 3
Ties: 7
Overtime wins: 2
Points percentage:  .783

Looking back

Every day we look back at games last season, five and ten years ago.  The Rangers played on December 30 only once, but it was satisfying revenge for a playoff loss.

Last year – 2019:  No game

5 years ago – 2015:  Rangers 5, Tampa Bay 2

Five different Rangers scored as they beat the Lightning in Tampa, 5-2.  It was revenge for the Blueshirts as they beat the Lightning for the first time since the Bolts eliminated the Rangers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Finals earlier that year.

Tampa scored two power play goals as Henrik Lundqvist stopped 20 of 22 shots.  The Rangers had 24 shots on Ben Bishop as they broke up a 2-2 tie after two periods with three third period goals.  Dominic Moore got them started three minutes into the period and goals by Viktor Stalberg and Rick Nash clinched the win.

10 years ago – 20210: No game