Blueshirts' TV ratings are soaring

Through 32 games on MSG Networks, Rangers telecasts have recorded a 16 percent increase in the average Nielsen household rating (0.85 HH vs. 0.73 HH) compared to 2010-11. Monday's 3-0 win over the rival Islanders scored a 1.60 HH rating to tie the current season high set November 29 when the Rangers defeated the Penguins.

In addition, the last four Rangers games on MSG Network all delivered a 1.13 HH rating or greater, with each game delivering a higher HH rating than the previous game (12/20 at Devils - 1.13 HH; 12/22 vs. Islanders - 1.16 HH; 12/23 vs. Flyers - 1.37 HH; and 12/26 vs. Islanders - 1.60 HH). The average rating for the past four games is a 1.32 HH, which is 55 percent higher than the current season-to-date average (0.85 HH).

The Rangers are tied for third in the NHL with 48 points and are in first place in the Atlantic Division with a record of 22-9-4 on the season (11-3-2 at Madison Square Garden). The team travels to Florida to face the Panthers on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (coverage starts with Rangers Game Night at 7:00 p.m.) before playing the Flyers in the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on January 2 (special MSG Network pre-game show starting at 12:00 p.m.).

As the exclusive local television home of the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, New York Islanders, New Jersey Devils, New York Liberty and New York Red Bulls, MSG Networks telecasts nearly 400 live professional games per year.

MSG Networks also telecasts 150 live college basketball games and 50 live college football games from top national conferences (SEC, Pac 12, Big 12), as well as other award-winning original programming. MSG Networks has won 63 New York Emmy Awards over the last four years, more than any New York station or network.