On December 24 in NYR history: The last time they played on Xmas Eve

What happened on December 24th in the history of the New York Rangers

Christmas Eve has been a quiet night for the New York Rangers in their history. They have not played a lot of games on Christmas Eve and the last time they played was way back in 1972.   In that game 48 years ago, the Rangers said goodbye to Christmas Eve games with a 5-0 win over Detroit at Madison Square Garden.

It was the 40th career shutout for Eddie Giacomin and it was a big night for Pete Stemkowsi who had four assists, one off the team record and a career high.   Rangers coach Emile Francis was so happy about the win he gave Giacomin $100 as an early Christmas present.

It was a return to action for Brad Park and rookie Steve Vickers who both had missed almost 20 games with knee injuries.

Some history against the Canadiens

On this date in 1949, the Rangers and Canadiens played a 0-0 tie at the Forum, the only 0-0 tie for the Blueshirts on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day in franchise history.   This was a goaltenders duel with Chuck Rayner in goal for the the Blueshirts and Bill Durnan in net for the Habs.

28 years later, on December 24, 1966, the Rangers used two former Canadiens to beat Montreal at the Forum.  Donnie Marshall and Bernie Geoffrion both scored as the Rangers topped the Habs 4-3.   Geoffrion has retired in 1964, but came back in 1966 to play for the Rangers.  Marshall scored the winning goal with only 33 seconds left.  Marshall had played for Montreal for ten years before coming to New York in a trade in 1963.

Today’s birthday

13 NHL players have been born on Christmas Eve and only one was a New York Ranger.

Red Sullivan was born on this date in 1929 in Peterborough, Ontario.  Sullivan was a center who played in New York for five years from 1956-61.  He was the team captain his last four years with the Blueshirts.  After he retired he served as the head coach of the Rangers from 1962 to 1965, but missing the playoffs every year, he didn’t make it to Christmas 1965 as he was fired and  replaced by Emile Francis.  He didn’t have much success as a coach, leading the expansion Pittsburgh Penguins for two seasons. He was one of three coaches for the expansion Washington Capitals in 1974-75, going 2-16 before he was canned.

The numbers

December 24 is the one day  that the Rangers are undefeated in the traditional regular season calendar.  They’ve only played six games on this date with no losses.

Games: 6
Regulation wins: 4
Regulation losses: 0
Ties: 2
Points percentage:  ..833