News Rangers Team Notes

New York Rangers injury update: Adam Fox ‘trending’ to return for important game against Blue Jackets

NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

Heading into, perhaps, their biggest game of the season, the New York Rangers very well may get one of their most important players back in the lineup.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette told reporters after the morning skate Saturday that Adam Fox is “trending” toward returning later that night against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a crucial clash at Nationwide Arena.

Fox has missed eight games since sustaining an upper-body injury against the New York Islanders on Feb. 25. He’s been skating with the Rangers on their current road trip, and shed his no-contact jersey in an optional practice Friday.

At the morning skate, Fox worked on the top power-play unit, a spot he’s held down for years. That appeared to be a sign Fox is good to go after the three-week absence. The Rangers didn’t take line rushes, so there was no other clear indication he might, or might not, play against the Blue Jackets.

Interestingly, veteran defenseman Carson Soucy was among the last players on the ice at the morning skate, remaining on with recent scratches Calvin de Haan and Juuso Parssinen. That could be another sign that Fox will play Saturday, as is him being removed from the injured reserve list Saturday afternoon.

Soucy has played all four games since the Rangers acquired him ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline from the Vancouver Canucks.

Related: 3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Blue Jackets in crucial clash

Zac Jones could remain in Rangers lineup even if Adam Fox returns against Blue Jackets

NHL: New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild

Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

If Fox does play, it looks like Zac Jones will remain in the lineup. The 24-year-old puck-moving defenseman rejoined the lineup after Fox was hurt and has three assists in the eight games since. Though the power play is just 2-for-26 with Jones filling in for Fox, Jones is coming off an excellent two-way performance in a 3-2 overtime win against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday.

Jones set up a second-period goal off the rush by Jonny Brodzinski in that win and made several key defensive plays with blocks and a quick stick. He has 11 points (one goal, 10 assist) in 36 games this season.

This line deserved a big moment.

Love seeing #NYR Jonny Brodzinski score with money on the board.

And great to see Jones and Rempe pick up assists. pic.twitter.com/MzD8oYXprG

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) March 14, 2025

The Rangers are 3-3-2 without Fox, who leads them with 43 assists and is tied for second with 48 points. Fox is tied for ninth among NHL defensemen in scoring and is fifth in assists.

Entering the game Saturday, the Rangers (32-28-6) and Blue Jackets (31-26-8) each have 70 points, tied for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Columbus has a game in hand and defeated New York 7-3 just six days ago at Madison Square Garden.

This is the final meeting in the season series, which the Rangers lead 2-1-0.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...update-adam-fox-trending-return-blue-jackets/
 
3 Rangers takeaways after 4-0 win over Blue Jackets moves them into playoff position

NHL: New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets

Joseph Maiorana-Imagn ImagesJoseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

There were smiles all around for the New York Rangers on Saturday night after they moved into a playoff berth and gained a measure of revenge with a 4-0 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

The Rangers (33-28-6) flew home for a Sunday night date with the Edmonton Oilers after perhaps their most complete performance of the season, highlighted by Igor Shesterkin’s fifth shutout of the season and the eighth by the Rangers – tying them for the League lead.

The win moved New York past the Blue Jackets and into the second wild-card position in the Eastern Conference. The Blueshirts are one point ahead of the surging Montreal Canadiens (32-27-7), who have a game in hand, and two in front of the Blue Jackets (31-27-8), who’ve been shut out in back-to-back home games by the Vegas Golden Knights and the Rangers.

But coach Peter Laviolette knows that nothing is guaranteed when there’s still a month to go in the season.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” he said. “There’s still teams that are right there. This thing juggles, other teams got a game in hand on us, and so none of that matters. We talked about it. We’re in charge of what we do. We’re in complete charge of winning hockey games and don’t have to look anywhere else. It’s great if other teams don’t win on any given night, but we’ve just got to be responsible for ourselves right now.

“There’s still a ton of work, though, and so that’s the focus that we try to talk about.”

The game against the Oilers is the first of a four-game homestand, all against Canadian teams — including the playoff-bound Oilers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Then it’s off to California next week for three games. The Rangers also have two games left against the Tampa Bay Lightning and one each against the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes – all three are locks to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

So while it’s nice to be holding a playoff spot as the season enters its final month, this is no time for the Rangers to take their foot off the gas.

Related: Rangers move into second wild card in East by shutting down Blue Jackets in 4-0 victory

Three takeaways from Rangers 4-0 victory against Blue Jackets


Here are three takeaways from the Rangers’ 4-0 road victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

1. Coming up big is great — now do it again


One week after one of their most discouraging defeats this season — a 4-3 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators that saw them blow a two-goal lead in the final 10 minutes of regulation, the Rangers came up big in their biggest game so far this season.

The offense generated three goals (plus an empty-netter). The defense was stifling. Shesterkin was up to every test. The penalty-killers were 3-for-3 and scored an empty-netter for their League-leading 14th shorthanded goal.

The Rangers grabbed a 1-0 lead 1:43 into the game when Alexis Lafreniere scored for the first time in 15 games and never looked back.

Mika with the steal + Laf puts it away. pic.twitter.com/uvsaDnzNWz

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 15, 2025

“I thought we got better, honestly, almost every minute of the game,” Laviolette said. “Started a little bit jumpy but by the end of the first I thought we were playing pretty well, and then the second and third, I thought outstanding.

“So that’s three periods, three games in a row where I thought we defended well, defended hard, gives us a chance to be successful.”

2. Back-to-back for Igor?


Shesterkin’s 20th NHL shutout was one of his easiest. He faced 21 shots, just one more than his teammates blocked. The Rangers allowed Columbus few Grade A chances, and he was up to the task when the Jackets managed to mount some pressure.

Now for the big question: After a comparably light night, will Shesterkin play both ends of the weekend back-to-back when the Oilers come to Madison Square Garden on Sunday night?

NHL: New York Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets

Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

No. 31 has played both ends of a back-to-back four times in his NHL career – once each in his first four NHL seasons, and not at all since Feb. 25-26, 2023. He was pulled in a 6-3 road loss to the Washington Capitals on the 25th, but made 26 saves the next night in a 5-2 victory against the Los Angeles Kings at the Garden.

In all, Shesterkin is 7-1-0 in his four back-to-backs, including 4-0-0 in the second games.

So does Laviolette go back to his starter against the high-flying Oilers – or give backup Jonathan Quick a game? He wasn’t divulging anything after the win in Columbus.

“We haven’t talked about anything for tomorrow yet,” was all he would say.

3. Welcome back, Adam Fox


Nearly lost in the excitement of climbing back into a playoff position was the return of Fox, the Rangers’ best defenseman.

The Rangers went 3-3-2 during the eight games Fox missed with an upper-body injury sustained against the New York Islanders on Feb. 25. He played efficiently though not spectacularly, earning an assist, blocking two shots and finishing plus-2 in 20:36 of ice time.

“He had a fine start and got better and better,” Laviolette said.

NHL: New York Rangers at Tampa Bay Lightning

Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Fox was happy with his performance in his return, saying that he felt more comfortable as the game progressed.

“When you miss a couple games with an injury and come back, you try not to be a little tentative,” he said. “You want to get that awareness out there. I play kind of an instinctive game, so you’re trying to get that a little bit back. I thought as the game went on, (I) felt a little better. Just tried to keep it as simple as possible.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...lue-jackets-moves-them-into-playoff-position/
 
Rangers vs. Oilers: 3 things to watch for facing streaking Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Coming off, perhaps, their most important win of the season, the New York Rangers are right back at it 24 hours later when they host the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

The Rangers (33-28-6) skated out of Columbus with an impressive 4-0 victory over the Blue Jackets on Saturday for their second straight win to secure a winning road trip (2-1-0). In the process, they leapfrogged the Blue Jackets and moved into the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. They’re now one point up on the Montreal Canadiens and two ahead of the Blue Jackets, though both teams have a game in hand on New York.

It was a terrific defensive effort by the Rangers, who allowed only 21 shots on goal and picked up their eighth shutout of the season. This after they were hammered by the Blue Jackets 7-3 at MSG last Sunday showed excellent resiliency by the Blueshirts.

See you back at home, #NYR family. pic.twitter.com/wToXLJZKR6

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 16, 2025

Alexis Lafreniere scored his first goal in 15 games, Vincent Trocheck scored twice and Artemi Panarin had a clutch goal that made it 2-0 midway through the second period. With Adam Fox back in the lineup after an eight-game injury absence, there was plenty of good for the Rangers on Saturday night.

Now, they must regroup quickly to face an Oilers team that’s waiting for them. The Oilers defeated the Islanders 2-1 in overtime at UBS Arena on Friday and has been in the tri-state area since Tuesday, including a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday.

Like the Rangers, the Oilers (38-24-4) have a lot to play for down the stretch. They are third in the Pacific Division, though just one point behind the second-place Los Angeles Kings. It hasn’t been an easy run for the Oilers after they lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Florida Panthers last spring. They’ve lost eight of 12 games (4-8-0) since Feb. 7 and struggled offensively, even with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl producing at their typical pace.

This is the second and final meeting in the season series. The Oilers hammered the Rangers 6-2 at Rogers Place on Nov. 23.

Related: 3 Rangers takeaways after clutch 4-0 road win against Blue Jackets

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Oilers

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

1. More Igor


Rangers coach Peter Laviolette wasn’t saying postgame Saturday, but there’s a chance Igor Shesterkin starts on consecutive days for only the fifth time in his NHL career. It should be noted that Shesterkin is 4-0-0 in those previous four instances, two of which came after he played a full game the day before and two when he was pulled from a contest the previous day.

This is no knock on backup Jonathan Quick, but the Rangers are in a spot where they need every possible standings point and Shesterkin is their clearcut best option at the position. He was solid again Saturday, stopping all 21 shots for his fifth shutout of the season. And it’s not like he was overworked Saturday nor this season, starting 49 of their 67 games.

Big=time game. Big-time opponent. Big time of the season. Seems like it’s the moment to ride your big-time goalie.

2. Containing Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl

NHL: New York Islanders at Edmonton Oilers

Perry Nelson-Imagn Images

You probably haven’t heard this one before, right? To defeat the Oilers, you need to contain McDavid and Draisaitl. Shocker, we know.

But it’s the truth. Even though that pair of superstar forwards continues to produce at a serious rate, the Oilers are struggling mightily to score enough goals to win games. They’ve scored two goals in three straight games and four of six. They’ve scored three or under in 10 of their past 11. Despite the star play of McDavid and Draisaitl, the Oilers have been incapable of piling up the goals.

That said, these guys are on a tear. Draisailt scored both goals, including the OT game-winner, against the Islanders and is on a 17-game point streak, tied for longest in the NHL this season. He leads the NHL with 49 goals and is second with 100 points, two behind Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche. It is the sixth 100-point season in Draisaitl’s career.

McDavid, currently with points in 10 straight games, is not exactly a slouch this season either. He’s fourth in League scoring (85 points) and third with 61 assists.

3. Vincent Trocheck getting hot with Artemi Panarin


Panarin’s been on a roll for a bit now, with an eight-game point streak (six goals, six assists). He added two more points to that total Saturday, with a goal and assist, and sits at 71 points, his fifth season with at least 70 points for the Rangers, tied with Mark Messier and Mika Zibanejad for fifth most in Rangers history.

Make that an eight-game point streak for Artemi Panarin! 🥖 pic.twitter.com/mCHBdhBhtI

— NHL (@NHL) March 16, 2025

Now his linemate is joining the party. Trocheck has three goals in the past two games, including a pair Saturday that featured a short-handed empty-netter in the third period which iced the victory. Trocheck now has 20 goals for the third straight season with the Rangers and seventh time in his NHL career. He’s second on the Rangers in goals, behind Panarin (29) and fourth in points with 45.

New York Rangers projected lineup


Panarin – Trocheck – Cuylle

Lafreniere – J.T. Miller- Zibanejad

Kreider – Carrick – Berard

Othmann – Brodzinski – Rempe

Vaakanainen – Fox

K. Miller – Borgen

Jones – Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

Rangers vs. Oilers: When, where, what time, how to watch


Who: New York Rangers vs. Edmonton Oilers

When: Sunday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...lers-streaking-connor-mcdavid-leon-draisaitl/
 
Rangers fall short in tight defensive battle, lose 3-1 to Oilers

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

Coming off perhaps their most important win of the season Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, the New York Rangers couldn’t double up on their success this weekend. They followed up that big road win with a 3-1 loss at home to the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday.

The Rangers (33-29-6) had won two straight coming in, including that 4-0 victory in Columbus that vaulted them into the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. But yet again, the Rangers were unable to win a third consecutive game. They haven’t won three in a row since Nov. 14-19.

That’s not to say they didn’t play well Sunday, because they did. It was their fourth straight solid defensive showing after allowing seven goals in a loss at MSG to the Blue Jackets last Sunday. They limited the Oilers to 23 shots on goal and held superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to one point apiece.

But that was enough for the Oilers (39-24-4), who finished a four-game road trip with a 2-2-0 record by beating the New York Islanders and the Rangers — allowing one goal in each game.

Stuart Skinner was excellent in goal for Edmonton, stopping 21 of 22 shots. He bested Igor Shesterkin, who started on consecutive days for only the fifth time in his NHL career, falling to 4-1-0 in such games. He made 20 saves one night after shutting out the Blue Jackets.

McDavid, Corey Perry and Victor Arvidsson scored for the Oilers, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins assisted on all three goals. Draisaitl extended his point streak to 18 games, longest in the NHL this season, with a first-period assist. McDavid pushed his point streak to 11 games with a third-period goal.

Will Cuylle scored his first goal in seven games for the Rangers. Artemi Panari extended his point streak to nine games with an assist. Vincent Trocheck also assisted on Cuylle’s goal.

Related: Familiar injury concerns for former Rangers center Filip Chytil after latest scary incident

Edmonton Oilers 3 – New York Rangers 1​

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

For all the star talent on the ice for both teams Sunday, it was a pair of greasy goals that had this game tied 1-1 after two periods of play. That’s not to say the stars weren’t generating fancy scoring chances, but in a pretty tight defensive game, the goal scoring came from the blue paint for each team.

The Oilers had the only goal of the first period, when Perry scored from his knees on the power play during a scramble by Shesterkin’s crease with 43.1 seconds remaining. It was a great effort by the rugged veteran forward, who scored his 15th goal of the season when his backhand shot tipped off Shesterkin’s glove and into the net.

Corey Perry opens the scoring with less than a minute left to go in the first period 🚨 pic.twitter.com/6H0YJmeNqF

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 16, 2025

Edmonton outshot New York 12-7 in the first period, including a partial break by Jeff Skinner at 18:40, when he split the defense and forced Shesterkin to make a big-time stop.

The Rangers also had some good looks in the opening period. Alexis Lafreniere found Mika Zibanejad for an in-tight one-timer with a beauty of a pass at 8:33 that was stopped by Skinner. Then at 15:28, Zibanejad played facilitator, hitting Adam Fox in full stride flying down right wing for a Grade A look that Skinner denied.

That doesn’t even include J.T. Miller ripping a right-wing shot off the post on the power play less than two minutes into the game.

In the second period, the Rangers did an excellent job shutting down the Oilers, who entered the game with a League-high 85 goals in the second period. But the Rangers held them without a goal and only allowed six shots on goal in the period, including a point-blank look by Connor Brown that was swallowed up by Shesterkin at 10:50.

By that point, the Rangers had already tied the game. Cuylle won a goalmouth battle to tap a loose puck over the goal line for his 18th goal at the five-minute mark to make it 1-1. Panarin and Trocheck assisted on the goal, which began with a 4-on-3 odd-man rush into the zone by New York.

COOLS STUCK WITH IT. pic.twitter.com/lFKOXRRrTW

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 17, 2025

Matt Rempe came close to giving the Rangers their first lead shortly after Cuylle’s goal. Rempe got his skate in the way of an Oilers pass in the defensive zone, then led a rush up ice that included the 6-foot-9 forward speeding between the defensemen for a partial break-in. His forehand shot was stopped by Skinner, denying Rempe a highlight-reel goal.

New York’s bottom-six had another great scoring chance at 12:48 when Jonny Brodzinski, the trailer on a 3-on-2, took a pass from Braden Schneider, but his backhand shot was snuffed out by Skinner. Brodzinski drew a penalty on the play, but the Rangers couldn’t connect on their power-play opportunity. The Rangers were 0-for-3 on the power play Sunday.

So good defensively all night, the Rangers got burned by a rare odd-man rush from the Oilers early in the third period to again fall behind. Arvidsson played give and go with Nugent-Hopkins on a 3-on-2, and his right-wing shot deflected just enough off the stick of Zac Zones to go up and over the glove of Shesterkin to put the Oilers back in front 2-1 at 6:09.

The Rangers then picked up their offensive game after falling behind, putting consistent pressure on the Oilers. J.T. Miller and Alexis Lafreniere each had excellent chances off deflections on the same shift after the eight-minute mark. Right before that, Skinner somehow kept the puck out of the net after an Urho Vaakanainen point shot nestled into the goalie’s pads and Brett Berard and Chris Kreider pushed forward trying to poke it over the goal line.

They came within inches of scoring on the power play midway through the third period during a wild scramble in front of Skinner’s net that began with an open look for Fox. Somehow Skinner got his left arm out in time while falling to the ice to rob Zibanejad on a rebound attempt.

Skinner’s timely saves set the stage for McDavid to bury the Rangers with his 25th goal at 16:35. A terrific individual effort was capped by a wicked snap shot from left wing that beat Shesterkin to the glove side. It was McDavid’s only shot on goal during the game.

CONNOR MCDAVID'S 25TH OF THE SEASON DOUBLES THE OILERS' LEAD 💪

He extends his point streak to 11 games 👀 pic.twitter.com/fWahC7coH9

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 17, 2025

With the 3-1 loss, the Rangers failed to create more distance between them and the ninth-place Montreal Canadiens, who are one point behind them, and the Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings, each of whom is two points in arrears. Montreal and Columbus each have two games in hand on New York; Detroit has one.

After a day off Monday, the Rangers are back at it Tuesday, when they host the Calgary Flames at MSG.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...recap-tight-defensive-battle-lose-3-1-oilers/
 
Rangers week ahead includes 3 home games, desperately trying to hold onto playoff berth

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers enter the new week holding the second wild card in the Eastern Conference with a 33-29-6 record and 72 points after splitting four games last week, including a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night. But numbers can be deceiving, and they don’t tell the full story as the Rangers try to hang onto a playoff berth.

New York leads the Montreal Canadiens (32-27-7) by one point. However, the Canadiens have two games in hand, and they’re 7-1-2 in their past 10 games following a 3-1 home win against Atlantic Division-leading Florida Panthers on Saturday. The Rangers are two points ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets after playing perhaps their best game of the season in a 4-0 win at Nationwide Arena on Saturday night. But the Blue Jackets (31-27-8) also have two games in hand and a slightly better point percentage than the Rangers (.529 to .528).

The Rangers were so dominant in the win at Columbus that Igor Shesterkin had to make just 21 saves, few of them difficult. Rangers coach Peter Laviolette decided that his No. 1 goalie hadn’t been severely taxed against Columbus and opted to start Shesterkin in both ends of back-to-back games for just the fifth time in his NHL career and the first since February 2023.

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Shesterkin wasn’t awful while starting for the fourth time in six days, but he allowed the go-ahead goal to Edmonton’s Victor Arvidsson at 6:09 of the third period, then surrendered a late goal to Connor McDavid that put the game away.

The game against the Oilers was the first of four in a row at the Garden against teams from Canada, each of whom have better records than the Rangers. New York has to improve on its 16-15-3 mark at home if it wants to keep ahead of a group of challengers that also includes the Detroit Red Wings and New York Islanders, each of whom could catch the Rangers by winning their games in hand.

Who’s hot​


Artemi Panarin is riding a nine-game point streak after assisting on Will Cuylle’s goal against the Oilers. He reached the 70-point mark with a goal and an assist in the win at Columbus, giving him five seasons with 70-plus points in as many full seasons since joining the Rangers as a free agent in the summer of 2019. He’s one goal shy of his third 30-goal season with New York.

Who’s not​


Chris Kreider took an 0-fer last week, held without a point in four games and taking only six shots on goal. With 18 goals and 22 points in 54 games, he’s on track for his worst season since finishing with 16 goals and 37 points in 58 games in 2017-18.

Related: 3 Rangers takeaways from disappointing 3-1 loss to Oilers

Rangers lookahead this week includes …


The final three games of a 15-day stretch that will see the Rangers play nine times.

Calgary Flames at Rangers (March 18, 7 p.m. ET; MSG)


The Flames’ 3-2 win in Calgary on Nov. 21 is the line of demarcation in the Rangers season. New York came to Scotiabank Saddledome with a 12-4-1 record and appeared to be on course to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a fourth straight season, if not a repeat as Presidents’ Trophy winners. The loss began a 19-game stretch through the end of 2024 in which they were 4-15-0 and dropped out of the top eight in the East.

NHL: New York Rangers at Calgary Flames

Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Calgary is in a playoff battle of its own. The Flames enter the week two points behind the Vancouver Canucks, who hold the second wild card in the Western Conference, and they’ll be playing the second of a back-to-back set after beginning a four-game road trip against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.

With Shesterkin having played four games in six days through Sunday, don’t be surprised if Jonathan Quick gets the start. Quick is 15-11-5 against the Flames in his career with an excellent 2.26 goals-against average and .910 save percentage.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Rangers (March 20, 7 p.m.; MSG2)


While the Rangers battle for a playoff spot, the Maple Leafs are in a three-way brawl for first place in the Atlantic Division with the Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. Toronto starts the week tied for second with the Lightning; both are four points behind the Panthers with two games in hand.

The Rangers and Maple Leafs split their first two games this season, with New York winning 4-1 at Toronto on Oct. 19 and Toronto winning its third straight at the Garden by edging the Rangers 3-2 on Feb. 28.

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Auston Matthews has just 24 goals in 51 games after scoring 69 times for the Maple Leafs last season. He’s been a point-a-game player against the Rangers, with 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in 23 games. That includes a goal and an assist in the two games this season.

Shesterkin is 6-3-2 lifetime against Toronto, including 1-1-0 this season, with a 2.53 GAA and .919 save percentage.

Vancouver Canucks at Rangers (March 22, 1 p.m. MSG/NHL Network)


Expect the Garden crowd to arrive early for the Saturday matinee since the Rangers salute Sam Rosen, their longtime TV voice, in a pregame ceremony honoring him for his 40 seasons behind the mic. Rosen has been calling Rangers games since 1984 and announced before the start of the season that this would be his last in the broadcast booth.

When the puck drops, J.T. Miller will be playing the team that traded him to the Rangers on Jan. 31 for the first time since the deal.

NHL: New York Rangers at Pittsburgh Penguins

Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Miller has given the Rangers a boost with 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 17 games. New York’s first pick (No. 15) in the 2011 NHL Draft had career highs in goals (37), assists (66) and points (103) last season for Vancouver.

It would be nice if Filip Chytil made his first return to MSG since being traded to Vancouver in the Miller deal. However, Chytil is in concussion protocol and questionable to play Saturday.

The Rangers have won four of their past five against the Canucks, including a 4-3 win at Vancouver on Nov. 19 that marked the high point of their season.

Mika Zibanejad has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 21 games against the Canucks, including a goal and an assist in the win at Vancouver in November.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...includes-three-home-games-hold-playoff-berth/
 
Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Brendan Brisson improves after rough start

NHL: Vegas Golden Knights at Dallas Stars

Jerome Miron-Imagn ImagesJerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Hartford Wolf Pack ended a six-game road losing streak (0-5-1-0) on Saturday in Milwaukee with a 4-2 win. But the New York Rangers AHL affiliate lost two other games last week, 2-1 to Grand Rapids on Wednesday, followed by a 4-0 shutout defeat at the hands of Rockford on Friday.

The seventh-place Wolf Pack (25-29-5-2, 57 points) are nine points behind the sixth-place Springfield Thunderbirds for the final playoff spot in the American Hockey League’s Atlantic Division. Time is the enemy for the Wolf Pack with 11 games remaining.

Related: Rangers ‘change the scenery’ to get most out of 2 young forwards

Hartford Wolf Pack news-n-notes

GarandBruins.jpg


Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Road struggles reappear


A concern from earlier in the season, the Wolf Pack cannot find wins on the road. They are 2-6-2-0 in their past 10 road games. In fact, they were shutout twice and outscored 36-22. The Wolf Pack were out-shot 324-267, leading to an over-reliance on defense and goaltending. And that didn’t work out so well.

Hartford is 9-16-4-1 on the road. They have six road games remaining and need to win the majority if they have any chance at landing a playoff spot.

Penalty kill woes


Another struggle is the Wolf Pack’s lack of discipline and penalty kill woes have continued throughout the season. In fact, they lead the AHL in times short-handed (232) and are fourth in penalty minutes (895). These stats are of concern since the penalty kill is 25th in the league, operating at 78.4 percent. Hartford’s conceded 50 power-play goals (third highest).

It’s costing them crucial standings points. For instance, the Wolf Pack were unable to kill a five-on-three penalty against Grand Rapids on Mar. 12, giving the Griffins a regulation win with 2:02 remaining in the game. Another instance was against Rockford on Mar 14., when the Wolf Pack gave the IceHogs six power-play opportunities. Hartford cleared five of six penalties, but were unable to generate their own chances because they were short-handed so often. It’s a big reason why Hartford was out-shot 17-2 in the first period.

FIRE US UP WATTYYY 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/vZKVT4MxSy

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) March 13, 2025

New acquisition updates

Brendan Brisson


Rebounding from his worst game of the season on March 7 with a penalty and minus-5 rating, newcomer Brendan Brisson has two assists in three games since. The 23-year-old forward also recorded eight shots last week. Brisson, a former first round pick, has played consistently in the top six since his arrival. Though he has not fared well defensively (also minus-3 against Rockford), Brisson is picking up his overall game.

MIDWEST MACKER 🚨 pic.twitter.com/0hVZMJAE3c

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) March 16, 2025

So far this season with Hartford and Henderson, Brisson has 21 points (five goals, 16 assists) in 50 games.

Nicolas Aubé-Kubel


Nicolas Aube-Kubel debuted with Hartford on March 9 and the veteran was injured late in the game and did not return. The 28-year-old forward is day to day but his injury is not a major concern. He joined the team on the road trip and could return this weekend.

Upcoming Games


All games can be watched on AHLTV and listened on Mixlr.

Friday, March 21 vs Hershey Bears (Capitals) at 7pm, XL Center

  • This is the second of four meetings in the season series. Hartford shut out Hershey 3-0 on Dec. 11.
  • Hershey is 37-15-5-1 for 80 points. They are first in the Atlantic Division and second in the Eastern Conference. The Bears are on a five game point streak (4-0-0-1) and 7-2-0-1 in their past 10 games.
  • Defenseman Ethan Bear leads the Bears with 40 points (nine goals, 31 assists). Next is Alex Limoges with 37 points (15 goals, 22 assists).

Saturday, March 22 vs Milwaukee (Predators) at 7pm, XL Center

  • This is the final meeting in this season between the teams. Hartford defeated Milwaukee 4-2 on March 15.
  • Milwaukee is 31-19-4-6 for 72 points. They are first in the Central Division and tied for second in the Western Conference. The Admirals are 5-2-1-2 in their past 10 games.
  • Cal O’Reilly leads the Admirals with 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists). Next is Ozzy Wiesblatt with 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists).

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...lf-pack-brendan-brisson-improves-rough-start/
 
Rangers sign 2022 draft pick Noah Laba to entry-level contract

Noah Laba, Colorado College

Noah Laba in action (Colorado College / credit: Casey B. Gibson)

One year after failing to do so, the New York Rangers signed 2022 draft pick Noah Laba to an entry-level contract Tuesday.

The 21-year-old center just completed his junior season at Colorado College. He signed a two-year contract which begins in 2025-26 and will report to Hartford of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout contract (ATO) to finish out this season.

The Rangers tried to sign Laba after his sophomore season last spring, but he opted to return to Colorado College for one more year. The Rangers selected Laba in the fourth round (No. 111 overall) of the 2022 NHL Draft.

#NYR have signed Noah Laba, their 2022 4th-round pick from @CCTigerHKY after putting 41 goals, 44 assists in 100 games played over his three years in the NCAA.

He'll start down in Hartford on an ATO, hell of a college player.pic.twitter.com/NCodOmt4CB

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) March 18, 2025

Laba missed several games this season because of injury, but still appeared in 29 games and tied for the team lead with 10 goals and was second with 26 points. He also was a team-best plus-10 and won 57.3 percent of his face-offs.

Among his highlights this season, Laba recorded a hat trick against Minnesota-Duluth on Jan. 17 and had four assists against Northern Michigan on Nov. 12. He had three points (one goal, two assists) when Colorado College lost to Denver in three games in the NCHC playoffs this week.

In 2023-24, Laba led Colorado College with 20 goals and 37 points in 36 games. He had seven game-winning goals as a sophomore.

Related: Rangers scratch prized rookie against Flames: ‘Good spot for a change’

Noah Laba to join other Rangers draft picks with AHL Hartford to finish out season

Noah-Laba-768x643.jpeg

Credit: Alan Selavka

Photo courtesy Alan Selavka

The Rangers are not deep within the organization at the center position, so it’s understandable why they tried to get Laba to turn pro last year. He’s big (6-foot-2, 210 pounds), excellent in the face-off circle and skilled offensively.

Laba is also a solid defensive forward. He was named the NCHC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, when he was also Second Team All-American.

At Hartford, he’ll join fellow Rangers draft picks Bryce McConnell-Barker and Dylan Roobroeck playing center. McConnell-Barker was also a 2022 pick, selected in the third round (No. 97 overall). Roobroeck was selected in the sixth round (No. 178 overall) of the 2023 draft.

Hartford also has veteran forwards like Brendan Brisson, Bo Groulx and Jake Leschshyn who can play in the middle.

Laba could make his pro debut as early as Friday, when Hartford hosts Hershey at XL Center. They’re also home Saturday against Milwaukee. All told, Hartford has 11 games remaining in the regular season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/sign-noah-laba-entry-level-contract/
 
Rangers fail brilliant Igor Shesterkin in brutal 2-1 loss to Flames

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Try as he might to steal a win for the thoroughly outplayed New York Rangers, Igor Shesterkin couldn’t quite pull that miracle off on his own Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. Instead, the Rangers dropped a brutal 2-1 decision to the Calgary Flames, sabotaging a brilliant performance by their star goalie.

Make no mistake, the Rangers were pretty much run out of their own building in this one by a team that looked more desperate and engaged throughout. But Shesterkin bailed his teammates out time and again, finishing with 33 saves in a game the Rangers were outshot 35-13 and out-chanced in all situations 35-16 (a whopping 16-5 disparity in high-danger opportunities), per Natural Stat Trick.

“It was not a good showing,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said in the understatement of the season.

Jonathan Huberdeau shot saved by Igor Shesterkin#Flames 2 #NYR 1 3rd pic.twitter.com/ysKxhEaZYz

— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) March 19, 2025

It was an embarrassing night for the Rangers, who didn’t look the part of a team fighting for its playoff life at all. When it was all said and done, the Rangers (33-30-6) dropped out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference when the Montreal Canadiens rallied past the Ottawa Senators 6-3. Montreal leads New York by one point and has two games in hand.

And to think, things started so well for the Rangers when Artemi Panarin extended his point streak to 10 games with his 30th goal less than two minutes into the game.

The Flames (31-25-11) ended a three-game skid (0-2-1) despite managing just two goals against Shesterkin. Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist in the victory, Matt Coronato scored the eventual game-winning goal late in the first period and Mackenzie Weegar assisted on each score. Backup goalie Dan Vladar made 12 saves and never faced more than five shots in any one period.

This came after the Flames were smoked 6-2 by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.

“[The compete] was not there. There was nothing there,” Laviolette said. “They were faster than us, they got to the ice quicker than us, they were more ready. That’s the way the game played out.”

Related: Rangers scratch Brennan Othmann against Flames: ‘Good spot for a change’

Calgary Flames 2 – New York Rangers 1

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Rangers did exactly what you’d want to do against the lowest-scoring team in the NHL that played the night before and was blown out in the opener of a four-game road trip — score a quick goal.

Panarin accomplished exactly that just 1:13 into the first period. After the Rangers collected the puck at center ice, Panarin skated in on left wing and had all kinds of time and space to pick his spot. That’s exactly what he did, firing a shot past Vladar’s glove for his 30th goal of the season.

It’s the third 30-goal season for Panarin with the Rangers and his fifth in the NHL. It was also his seventh goal in 10 games, and it gave the Rangers a quick 1-0 lead.

BREADMAN SNIPE. pic.twitter.com/kmPMZPyB4v

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 18, 2025

And that was the end of New York’s momentum. Slowly but surely, the Flames completely seized control of every aspect of the game, outside of goaltending. They played a stout, aggressive style with quick transitions and extended shifts in the Rangers’ end of the ice. So thorough was Calgary’s commitment to hard work and tight defensive play that New York committed 11 turnovers in the first period and was not credited with a single takeaway.

That’s hard to do.

Kadri tied the game at 10:22, slipping a rebound between Shesterkin’s pads after the Rangers goalie made a sharp down-low save on Weegar.

Calgary’s Jonathan Huberdeau, who was stoned point blank by Shesterkin at 8:14, wired a shot off the post at 13:06. But just when it appeared the Rangers might escape a poorly played first period tied 1-1, Matt Rempe caught Jake Bean in the jaw with his elbow and was assessed a two-minute penalty at 17:46.

Not long after, Coronato won an offensive zone face-off, skated between the circles, took a pass from Kadri, turned and fired a perfect shot over Shesterkin’s right pad and into the net to make it 2-1 at 18:03.

It must’ve been a special moment for the Long Island native, scoring his 17th goal of the season at The Garden.

No stopping that 😏 pic.twitter.com/UtonQCbP3k

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 18, 2025

Right before the period ended, J.T. Miller was sticked between the legs by Kevin Bahl and left the ice in obvious pain. The Rangers were furious that there was no penalty called, and Mika Zibanejad berated the officials after the buzzer sounded.

With a chance to regroup and come out with a better effort in the second period, the Rangers, out-shot 15-5 in the opening period, actually played worse. The Flames owned the puck, and the Rangers had hardly any zone time, unable to generate forecheck pressure before the visitors moved the puck quickly out of their end time and again. New York managed just three shots on goal in the second period.

But Shesterkin kept the Rangers in the game, stopping all 10 shots he faced in the period. The Flames, who struggle to score at the best of times, helped out their hosts by missing the net on two wide-open Grade-A chances. Martin Pospisil also had a breakaway out of the penalty box at 14:50 but never got a shot off because of a perfectly-timed poke check by Shesterkin.

Not only was Shesterkin making big-time saves, he engaged throughout the period in a running dialogue with Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. During one media timeout, Shesterkin skated by the Flames bench and made like he was going to drop his blocker and glove, prepared (or not) to fight. When the period ended with the score still 2-1, Shesterkin and Andersson continued to yap at one another.

Igor Shesterkin chirped at Rasmus Andersson during the break 👀 pic.twitter.com/7ZrXYbIknB

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) March 19, 2025

Despite that entertaining sideshow, a decent segment of the fans booed as the Rangers exited the ice.

There was more of the same to start the third period. The Rangers continued to look slow and the Flames remained the more engaged hungry team. Huberdeau had a pair of prime chances to score, notably a point-blank look denied by Shesterkin. Connor Zary and Morgan Frost had excellent opportunities thwarted as well.

Panarin and Chris Kreider finally teamed up for a Rangers rush chance 7:30 into the third period, but Vladar was perfectly positioned to make the save. The Flames goalie came up big a few minutes later to deny Sam Carrick from five feet out.

Shesterkin’s best save of the night came at 13:30 off a 2-on-1 down low when he did the splits to rob Huberdeau with his outstretched right pad.

The Rangers pulled Shesterkin for an extra attacker with under three minutes to play and kept the puck in the offensive zone for two minutes. But they managed only one shot on goal, and the Flames followed with an empty-net goal, though that was wiped off the board when video review showed the play to be offside.

Two face-offs later, the Flames finished things off and handed the Rangers a stunning loss on home ice in a game where it’d be hard to imagine how much more they could’ve been outplayed.

With no time to dwell on this terrible loss, the Rangers return to action Thursday when they host the Maple Leafs in the third of a four-game homestand.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...liant-igor-shesterkin-brutal-2-1-loss-flames/
 
WFAN host, passionate Rangers fan say coach ‘has to go’ after brutal loss to Flames

NHL: Vegas Golden Knights at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers most recent loss, 2-1 to the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night, has been labeled as many things. A no-show performance, unacceptable, shameful.

It was all of those tings and so much more. Social media is ablaze with vitriol from angry Rangers fans.

Even WFAN host and passionate Rangers fan Boomer Esiason was fired up after the loss, and he’s pointing his blame at coach Peter Laviolette.

Boomer says Peter Laviolette "has gotta go" after the latest Rangers loss: pic.twitter.com/OSar0WMv2D

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 19, 2025

After managing just 13 shots on goal over the course of the game and playing with little-to-no urgency, it’s hard to argue with what Boomer is saying here.

“They seem so disconnected, so disinterested,” Esiason said on his morning show Wednesday. “This coach has got to go … You could tell that the players just, either they don’t give a damn, or something is amiss within the body of the team, has been amiss since they lost last year to the [Florida] Panthers in the playoffs.”

After watching the Rangers performance Tuesday, it’s hard to find a better take than this one. There’s nothing that can explain the drastic drop-off by the Rangers ever since winning the President’s Trophy last season. The entered 2024-25 with almost an identical group, got off to a great start, and then it all fell apart.

General manager Chris Drury was forced to make moves, and he made plenty in attempting to reshape this roster, and while there’s been glimpses of what the team can be, there’s still games where it looks like the Rangers have packed it in for the season.

Related: Rangers star said what (!) after shameful home-ice loss to Flames?

Rangers move on from woeful defeat: ‘Everything’s been on the table’​

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

So who gets the blame? At some point, the coach needs to answer for his team’s performance, especially after one like Tuesday night. Following the loss, he didn’t have much to say.

“It was not there, there was nothing there,” the coach said. “They were faster than us, they got to the ice quicker than us, they were more ready. That’s the way the game played out.”

It doesn’t seem like much of an answer for a team that lacked urgency and were so badly outplayed by an opponent that got hammered 6-2 the night before in Toronto by the Maple Leafs.

Nonetheless, the focus must shift to the next game. The Rangers have 13 games remaining on the season, and likely need to win most of them if they want a chance to compete in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a fourth straight year.

“We’ve moved on from last night,” Laviolette explained Wednesday after an optional practice. “Everything’s been on the table this morning, so we’re now focusing on the next one. We’ve got to be better, we acknowledge that.”

As the season winds down, it seems like Laviolette’s fate with the Rangers depends on if they make the playoffs or not. Also interesting to watch going forward is how, if at all, the recent acquisitions are deployed. Players Drury acquired ahead of the trade deadline largely are out of the lineup. How does that sit with the GM?

Look at players like Arthur Kaliyev before his season-ending injury, Juuso Parsinnen, Carson Soucy, Calvin de Haan. All players that Drury felt could help the Rangers make a push for the playoffs, yet they’ve struggled to find playing time. Soucy, in particular, has been a surprise scratch night-in and night-out after arriving from the Vancouver Canucks for a third-round pick.

All of this doubt and finger pointing can surely subside with a few wins and a playoff berth, but for now and especially after the terrible showing Tuesday night, tensions are as high as ever in New York.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...n-boomer-esiason-fire-coach-peter-laviolette/
 
10 worst New York Rangers losses in 2024-25 NHL season

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The 2024-25 season has not gone according to plan for the New York Rangers. Just one year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy with the best NHL regular-season record, they now find themselves fighting for their playoff lives with 13 games remaining.

There’s been some pretty brutal losses that the Rangers have built up over the season, whether they were home-ice blowouts, choked overtime defeats, or just straight up no-shows. With that in mind, we decided to take a look back on the 10 worst losses of the 2024-25 season … so far.

Related: Rangers star said what (!) after shameful loss to Flames

10. December 2: New Jersey Devils 5 – Rangers 1​

NHL: New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers

Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Already reeling with one win in their previous six games, the Rangers entered this game against their rival New Jersey Devils in dire need of a win. Instead, the Devils walked all over them at Madison Square Garden, scoring four straight goals before Chris Kreider got the lone Rangers goal in the second period. Jack Hughes had his way with the Rangers once again, scoring two goals in a 5-1 beatdown.

9. November 29: Philadelphia Flyers 3 – Rangers 1​

NHL: New York Rangers at Philadelphia Flyers

Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images

The Rangers managed to set a season-high losing streak when they dropped their fifth straight, losing on the road to the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1. After starting the season 12-4-1, the Rangers lost five in a row in what was the start of a brutal stretch of hockey to end the calendar year. Travis Konecny had a pair of goals for the Flyers, and Vincent Trocheck scored the only goal for the struggling Rangers.

8. December 9: Chicago Blackhawks 2 – Rangers 1​

NHL: Chicago Blackhawks at New York Rangers

Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It’s never good when you lose to the last place team in the League, let alone twice roughly a week apart (don’t worry, the other one’s next). But that’s exactly what the Rangers did, first by losing to the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1 on home ice. Chicago was dead last in the NHL at the time, meaning the Rangers should have locked down an easy two points. Well, they couldn’t get more than just one goal past Arvid Soderblom and the rebuilding Blackhawks, which led to a rain of boos from the MSG Faithful

7. December 17: Nashville Predators 2, Rangers 0​

NHL: New York Rangers at Nashville Predators

Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Eight days after losing to the Blackhawks, the Rangers faced a new last-place team in the NHL. Not only did they lose again, but they were shut out 2-0 on a 25 save performance by Juuse Saros. This really seemed like rock bottom for the Rangers, and maybe it was at the time. Failing to earn any points against two separate last-place teams is just about as bad as it gets. That pretty much sums up the Rangers stretch in November and December.

6. December 23: New Jersey Devils 5 – Rangers 0​

NHL: New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils

Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

Looking to get revenge on the previous 5-1 beatdown from the Devils, the Rangers instead laid another goose egg, shut out 5-0 on the road. In terms of the Hudson River Rivalry, the Rangers were putting up no contest at this point in the season. Jack Hughes added two more goals against New York while the Rangers failed to produce any offense once again, held to a season-low 12 shots on goal.

5. March 8: Ottawa Senators 4 – Rangers 3 (OT)​

NHL: New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators

Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

Fighting for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with the Ottawa Senators created an intense battle between the two teams in a Saturday matinee in Canada’s capital, one that the Rangers really needed to win. They had every chance to do so in regulation when Artemi Panarin gave New York a 3-1 lead with 12 minutes to play. Somehow, the Rangers couldn’t close it down. They gave up two goals in regulation and then lost in overtime after K’Andre Miller’s brutal turnover led directly to Brady Tkachuk’s game-winner.

4. January 7: Dallas Stars 5 – Rangers 4 (OT)​

NHL: Dallas Stars at New York Rangers

Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Another instance when the Rangers seemed to rescue defeat from the jaws of victory. This one looked much different, however. After jumping out to a screaming 3-0 lead in the first period, this game had all the signs of being a home-ice blowout for New York. But, the Rangers sat back on their heels, and allowed the Dallas Stars to crawl back into the game. A big mistake against one of the better Western Conference teams. Once again, the Rangers couldn’t pull out the win, and lost in overtime.

3. February 22: Buffalo Sabres 8 – Rangers 2​

NHL: New York Rangers at Buffalo Sabres

Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images

Coming out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break rested and ready to push for a playoff spot, the Rangers opened with a favorable matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. Instead, they got absolutely smoked, 8-2. Clearly, New York was not prepared to play, while Buffalo was chomping at the bit. The Rangers surrendered five unanswered goals to start the game in the first period.

2. March 9: Columbus Blue Jackets 7 – Rangers 3​

NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets at New York Rangers

Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

As each game goes by, the next one earns the label of ‘the most important game of the season,’ and this was no exception. Battling the Columbus Blue Jackets for a wild-card spot, the Rangers needed this win on home ice to really help their playoff chances. Instead, they were run out of their own building as Columbus dropped seven on Jonathan Quick and the Rangers. A hat trick from Adam Fantilli earned a four-point swing in favor of Columbus, and significantly lowered the Rangers playoff odds, all this despite the Rangers scoring two short-handed goals on the same penalty kill.

1. March 18: Calgary Flames 2 – Rangers 1​

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers

Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

There’s not much that can be said about this loss other than the fact that it was a total no-show for everyone wearing blue with the exception of Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers were lifeless after taking a 1-0 lead 1:13 into the game, and ended up losing 2-1 to the Calgary Flames at a time where they desperately needed points. They sat back while Calgary held the puck in their own end, and settled for just 13 shots on goal. This one left many wondering, have the Rangers called it quits?

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...t-new-york-rangers-losses-2024-25-nhl-season/
 
Why Rangers mindset needs an overhaul before it’s too late … unless it is too late already

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn ImagesWendell Cruz-Imagn Images

One of Igor Shesterkin’s strongest performances of the season and a goal just 1:13 into the game by Artemi Panarin would generally spell a good night for the New York Rangers. But Tuesday was anything but good for the Rangers, who lost 2-1 to the Calgary Flames in a dismal effort in front of the Garden faithful.

No one likes to lose. Especially Rangers fans, who are among the most demanding in pro sports. Results are not guaranteed, but legitimate effort is expected. Win or lose, a high compete level in the minimum requirement, especially in the middle of a tight playoff race.

The Rangers flunked that requirement Tuesday. It was an appalling display, a disregard for the task at hand. The fans at the Garden let the boys in blue know exactly how they felt about it all when the final horn sounded, with boos raining down on the ice.

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

It’s likely these fans weren’t happy with one of Mika Zibanejad’s postgame comments, stating that what made this poor effort “unacceptable” was that the Rangers lost. Guess he was OK with the lack of effort if somehow Shesterkin stole a win for them, which, incredibly, he nearly did.

Shesterkin’s stellar play once again gave the Rangers a chance; they trailed by one goal entering the third period. The Rangers “rewarded” him with only five shots on goal in the final 20 minutes and four forwards who finished the game with at least one shot on net. They had 13 total as a team and easily less than a handful of scoring chances against Flames backup goalie Dan Vladar, who barely broke a sweat. Playing on back-to-back nights, the Flames peppered Shesterkin with 35 shots.

Maybe the Rangers figured Shesterkin would save the day as he’s done numerous times this season and in the past, like the 5-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Feb. 23, when they were outshot 40-16.

Instead this joined a long list of duds for the Rangers this season.

Look no further than Feb. 22, when the Buffalo Sabres waxed them 8-2. That after having already embarrassed them back on Nov. 7 by a 6-1 score. A 2-0 shutout loss to the woeful Nashville Predators on Dec. 17; that 2-1 loss at home to the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks a week prior on Dec. 9. After allowing the Seattle Kraken to score seven goals just the day before when New York jumped out to a 1-0 first -period lead.

The list goes on and on.

Related: ‘Everything on table’ for Rangers after embarrassing loss

Game against Flames was anything but ‘slam dunk of a win’ for Rangers

NHL: Calgary Flames at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Former Rangers goaltender and current MSG analyst Steve Valiquette emphasized throughout the broadcast Tuesday how this matchup was “as much a slam dunk of a win as you’ll have all season.”

The Flames came to town in the early hours of Tuesday morning after their own brutal 6-2 loss at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena on Monday night. While the logic is there and you still expect the Rangers to take advantage of their quick turnaround to pull out a victory, nothing should be taken for granted.

Maybe the Rangers thought this one would be easy? Who knows with this group.

“We have a system in place where it takes five guys on the forecheck, five in the neutral zone, and five guys in the d-zone. Where I felt like at times we had three and the other two weren’t in it. Just doesn’t work like that,” center Vincent Trocheck said postgame. “It’s disappointing. Hopefully we can scrap that one.”

Then there’s this from coach Peter Laviolette.

“We didn’t break the puck out. We didn’t move it through the neutral zone. We probably turned it over countless times in the neutral zone. That takes away from offense,” he explained. “We didn’t get it behind them. And when we did, they worked harder for the ice than we did. … There was nothing there”.

Related: Rangers can learn from Flames blueprint

It is up to the players, who lost the takeaway battle 11-1 on Tuesday, to perform. But it’s telling that the first Rangers player who tried to change the tone was Shesterkin. He shook his goalie gloves at Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson while passing Calgary’s bench during a play stoppage as if he was ready to square up. Serious or not, it was this instance that took Igor’s game to another level. He even recorded an unorthodox, yet solid, hit of his own on Flames forward Connor Zary in the third period when the forward drove to the net for a scoring chance.

There’s no doubt Shesterkin hates to lose. But as the Rangers constantly market, “It takes everyone.” Not one player can look back on the Flames game, nor most of this season, and say he’s done all he can to help the Rangers earn the contender status given to them by most prior to opening night. Skill is not a question. True lack of will has come into play too often up as they enter the final 13 games of the regular season.

Ironically, the same Maple Leafs team that embarrassed the Flames on Monday night comes to Madison Square Garden for the Rangers’ next test Thursday. If they don’t find some will power before puck drop, we could all be in for another long night.

It’s not enough to want to play better and want to win. The Rangers need to find a mindset where losing is simply not an option.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ndset-overhaul-nhl-season-hits-final-stretch/
 
3 Rangers takeaways from 4-3 loss to Maple Leafs that further damaged their playoff hopes

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn ImagesDennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers took another step toward an early summer on Thursday night.

With the opportunity to move back into a playoff spot when the night began, the Rangers played well — but not well enough to beat one of the NHL’ s best teams. The Toronto Maple Leafs won their fourth straight visit to Madison Square Garden by taking advantage of mistakes by the Rangers before hanging on in the final minute for a 4-3 win.

Make no mistake: The Rangers played light years better than they did on Tuesday in a putrid 2-1 loss to the Calgary Flames, who outshot them 35-13 and embarrassed the home side on Garden ice. This time the compete level was where it needed to be and the work ethic was there. On many nights, the way they played against the Leafs would have been enough to go home with two points.

But this wasn’t most nights. Toronto is tied with the Florida Panthers for first place in the Atlantic Division and has three of the NHL’s elite players in Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander – as well as some guy named John Tavares, who’s caused them problems for 16 seasons and led the Leafs with two goals and assist, giving him 1,100 career points.

Toronto took advantage of Rangers mistakes to build a 4-2 lead after two periods, then held on in the third despite allowing a sixth-attacker goal to Chris Kreider with 34.7 seconds remaining.

A win would have pulled the Rangers (33-31-6) even with the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Instead, they trail the Canadiens by two points and are even with the New York Islanders, who beat the Canadiens 4-3 in overtime. Having two of the teams they’re battling each get points was the last thing they needed.

So what can the Rangers do as they prepare to host the Vancouver Canucks in a Saturday matinee?

“Try not to be (frustrated) because we have a game at 1 (p.m. on Saturday), so we don’t have much time for crying,” said forward Artemi Panarin, who had a goal and an assist to extend his point streak to 11 games. “We just have to stay together, keep trying to win games.”

Related: Why Rangers mindset needs an overhaul before it’s too late … unless it’s already too late

Three takeaways from Rangers loss to the Maple Leafs


Here are three takeaways from a disappointing 4-3 home loss to Toronto.

1. A bad night to go home empty-handed


For a while, it looked like the Rangers might not lose any ground to the Canadiens (33-27-8) – the Islanders led 3-1 in the third period of a game they needed desperately. But goals by Patrik Laine and Brendan Gallagher forced overtime before Bo Horvat won it for the Isles (32-28-8) at 3:37 of overtime, meaning that both teams gained on the Rangers.

The Rangers also saw the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-28-9) gain a point on them by losing 1-0 in overtime at home to the Panthers.

Even worse is that the Rangers are at a huge disadvantage in games played. New York has played 70; everyone else battling for a playoff spot has played just 68. That includes the Ottawa Senators (36-27-5), who hold the first wild card. The Sens were pummeled 5-1 at home by the Colorado Avalanche but are still three points ahead of the Canadiens and five in front of the Rangers and Islanders.

2. Little mistakes have a big price​


A needless icing in the final 20 seconds of a period. A bad pinch at the blue line. An unchallenged pass between defensemen behind the net that’s botched. Doesn’t sound like much – but added together, they spelled defeat for the Rangers.

The Rangers had tied the game 1-1 in the final minute of the first period and were feeling good as they prepared to head for the locker room all even. But they iced the puck with 18 seconds remaining — and eight seconds later found themselves trailing 2-1 when Bobby McMann went to the net and deflected Jake McCabe’s shot past Shesterkin.

K’Andre Miller had a tough night. His mistimed pinch led to the first of John Tavares’ two goals 12:30 into the first period, and he failed to connect with Adam Fox on a simple pass behind the net late in the second period; William Nylander picked up the loose puck and ended up feeding Matthew Knies for what proved to be the game-winner. Miller and Fox, who spent parts of the night together as coach Peter Laviolette juggled his defense pairs, each finished minus-3.

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

It’s a pattern that has repeated itself all season – the Rangers have paid a huge price for the inability to do the little things correctly.

“It’s just some mistakes and they’re biting us,” Fox said. “You make some costly mistakes against that team, and they make you pay.”

3. What home-ice advantage?


Madison Square Garden was a house of horrors for visiting teams last season. The Rangers went 30-11-0 on Garden ice, leading the League in home wins and points on the way to winning the Presidents’ Trophy as regular-season champions.

Fast forward one year and the Garden has turned into a horror show for the home team.

The loss to the Leafs dropped New York to 16-17-3 at home. The Rangers are one of only four teams, and the only one that’s over NHL .500, with a losing record in its own building. That includes an 0-4-1 mark since beating the Islanders 4-0 on March 3.

For the second straight game, the Rangers were serenaded by boos as the Garden faithful voiced their displeasure as the team left the ice. There were even some chants of “Lavi must go,” from fans who think Laviolette is the problem.

The Rangers head west for three games in California after hosting Vancouver. Given the way they’re playing at the Garden, that might be a good thing.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...afs-that-further-damaged-their-playoff-hopes/
 
Rangers shake up ‘stagnant’ power play after dismal stretch of futility

NHL: Edmonton Oilers at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Peter Laviolette has seen enough of the New York Rangers impotent power play. So, the coach is making personnel changes ahead of their game Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square Garden.

Mired in a massive power outage with the man advantage, the Rangers practiced with two new power-play units on Friday. Defenseman Adam Fox was joined on the top unit by forwards Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafreniere and Chris Kreider. PP2 featured defenseman Zac Jones and forwards J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Will Cuylle and Jonny Brodzinski.

“A little life in the group. Everyone’s excited to see some new faces, and sometimes that works. So, we’ll see,” Miller said following practice.

Since arriving in a trade with the Canucks on Jan. 31, Miller’s been a staple on PP1. Zibanejad has been on the top power-play unit for years and is tied for fourth in Rangers history with Hall of Famer Brian Leetch with 106 power-play goals.

Miller has two goals and six points on the power play in 20 games with the Rangers. Zibanejad, who scored 20 power-play goals two seasons ago, has just five this season, though his 17 power-play points are second on the Rangers behind Artemi Panarin (22).

Zibanejad, Miller, Brodzinski and Cuylle are staying on late to get used ti the new PP unit pic.twitter.com/4HVh0P802O

— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) March 21, 2025

Moving them to the second unit, spreads the wealth of talent for the Rangers. They’ve long loaded up PP1 and given that unit the vast majority of opportunity and TOI. These moves will balance things more and give a better opportunity to players like Lafreniere and Cuylle, in particular.

“Right now we’re too stagnant and stopping the flow of the game rather than creating momentum for the team,” Miller explained. “It happens. It’s unfortunate that it’s right now.”

The Rangers are 1-for-24 in their past 10 games on the power play and 2-for- 33 since Feb. 25. Third in the NHL last season (26.4 percent) with the same group of players, excluding Miller, the Rangers have floundered on the power play this season. They’re 25th in the League at 18.4 percent.

“We need to score. It’s not even scoring, we just need momentum for the team,” Miller said.

Laviolette’s been loathe to deviate too much from the tried and true when it comes to the power play. But Friday, he said it was more than time to shake things up.

“If something’s not working, not getting results, at some point you have to look at something different,” Laviolette said Friday. “I think you need to be patient at times when you put something together to see how it does … but if there’s been extended time not getting the results we want to get, you’ve got to look at something different.”

Related: ‘Dinner tonight … tomorrow going to be a war’: J.T.. Miller describes Canucks reunion

Rangers notebook: Igor Shesterkin scare; Matt Rempe back


The Rangers had a brief scare at practice Friday when Igor Shesterkin appeared to be injured, or at least momentarily stung, by a Jonny Brodzinski shot.

Shesterkin took the hard one-timer in his midsection or perhaps a bit lower and was doubled up in pain. He skated slowly out of his crease and even smacked his stick against the glass before heading back to the paint and finishing practice.

Igor Shesterkin slams his stick in frustration after saving a hard shot off the stick of Jonny Brodzinski pic.twitter.com/Z5WlPw3mtP

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) March 21, 2025

Matt Rempe was back on the fourth line after missing the 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday because of an illness. Rempe skated on right wing with Juuso Parssinen at center and Brennan Othmann on left wing.

It’d appear that Brett Berard will be a healthy scratch against the Canucks on Saturday. The third line had Sam Carrick in the middle, flanked by Kreider and Brodzinski.

The defense pairs were made up of the six d-men who played Thursday. K’Andre Miller was paired with Will Borgen, Adam Fox was with Carson Soucy, and Zac Jones remained with Braden Schneider.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/shake-up-stagnant-power-play-futility/
 
Rangers vs. Canucks: 3 things to watch for in 1st meeting since J.T. Miller trade

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

For teams that play in different divisions and are separated by roughly 3,000 miles, the New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks have been linked quite often this season. The next occurrence takes place Saturday afternoon when the Rangers host the Canucks in a matinee at Madison Square Garden.

The teams were linked for months by J.T. Miller trade rumors, and then finally consummated a deal that sent Miller from the Canucks to the Rangers on Jan. 31. Right before the trade deadline, the Rangers swung another deal with the Canucks, landing defenseman Carson Soucy for a third-round pick.

Plus, the Rangers and Canucks actually played a game, too, won by the Rangers 4-3 out in Vancouver on Nov. 19. You may remember that Miller sat that one out, the start of his 10-game leave of absence from the Canucks for personal reasons.

J.T. Miller is asked about playing his former team in the Canucks this weekend:

"Some of my best friends are on that team. We'll get dinner tonight, but once tomorrow comes, it's going to be a war." pic.twitter.com/Bd92ogSTAu

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) March 21, 2025

On Saturday, the Rangers and Canucks meet up again. It’s their first game against one another since the two trades, so it’ll be a big game for Miller and Soucy. However, Filip Chytil, who was an important part of the Miller trade from Vancouver’s side won’t return to The Garden on Saturday. He remains out and away from the team because of a concussion, something the Rangers were all too familiar with during the center’s tenure on Broadway.

It’s an important game for each team. The Rangers (33-31-6) are 10th in the Eastern Conference, two points out of the second wild-card spot. The Canucks (32-25-12) are ninth in the Western Conference, one points out of a playoff berth.

The Rangers have lost three in a row and are trying to avoid being swept in a four-game homestand. They’re coming off a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday, a game they never led.

The Canucks are playing the second of a six-game road trip that began with a 4-3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues. Vancouver is 3-1-1 in its past five games and 6-7-1 since Feb. 22.

Related: J.T. Miller ‘going to war’ with former Canucks teammates after dinner out night before

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Canucks

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

1. Powering up


The Rangers are switching up personnel on their two power-play units, trying to shake things up and get the “stagnant” — using Miller’s description — man advantage going. The Rangers are 1-for-24 in their past 10 games and 2-for-33 since Feb. 25.

Where the power play used to win — sometimes steal — them games, it’s now an albatross as the losses pile up. The Rangers are ranked 25th in the NHL this season on the power play at 18.4 percent.

So, the top unit now features Adam Fox, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Alexis Lafreniere and Chris Kreider. Miller and Mika Zibanejad dropped to the second unit with Zac Jones, Will Cuylle and Jonny Brodzinski.

Worth noting that the Canucks penalty kill is third best in the League (82.7 percent).

2. Secret Soucy sauce​

NHL: New York Rangers at Winnipeg Jets

Terrence Lee-Imagn Images

The spotlight will be on Miller facing his former team, but it’s a big afternoon for Soucy, too, on many levels. The 30-yar-old defenseman had mixed results over two seasons with the Canucks, eventually replaced and made expendable this season after they acquired Marcus Pettersson from the Pittsburgh Penguins (using the first-round pick the Rangers sent them in the Miller trade, just to tie it all together). No doubt he’s got something to prove to the Canucks.

But Soucy also is in battle for playing time with the Rangers. He played four games after the trade, scoring a goal in his Rangers debut against the Ottawa Senators on March 8. But then he was scratched three straight games before replacing Urho Vaakanainen in the lineup against the Maple Leafs.

Soucy was largely pretty good against Toronto, picking up an assist and with an xGF of 0.65, per Natural Stat Trick. He’s expected to pair with Adm Fox on Saturday, and needs a good showing to keep his spot in the lineup with Vaakanainen and Calvin de Haan champing at the bit to play.

3. Heating up


Panarin is on a heater for the Rangers. He extended his point streak to a season-high 11 games with a goal and assist Thursday; it’s the longest current streak in the League. Panarin has 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) the past 11 games.

Brock Boeser is heating up for the Canucks after a mostly disappointing season. The pending UFA forward was on the trade block ahead of the deadline but the Canucks must be happy they held on to the 28-year-old, who now has 22 goals. Boeser has back-to-back two-goal games and five points in the past two contests. He second goal against the Blues with four seconds to play in regulation helped the Canucks pick up a standings point, even though they lost in overtime.

New York Rangers projected lineup


Panarin – Trocheck – Lafreniere

Cuylle – J.T. Miller- Zibanejad

Kreider – Carrick – Brodzinski

Othmann – Parssinen – Rempe

Soucy – Fox

K. Miller – Borgen

Jones – Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

Rangers vs. Canucks: When, where, what time, how to watch


Who: New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks

When: Saturday, March 22 at 1:00 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/game-preview-canucks-j-t-miller-trade/
 
3 Rangers takeaways after boosting their playoff hopes by stealing 5-3 win against Canucks

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

The New York Rangers saved their season on Saturday afternoon — at least for the moment.

The Rangers had lost the first three games of a four-game homestand and dropped out of the top eight in the Eastern Conference before the Vancouver Canucks came to Madison Square Garden. After the Rangers honored longtime TV play-by-play man Sam Rosen, who’s retiring after this season, the Canucks dominated the game in almost every facet – except the one that counted.

The home side made the most of its 12 shots on goal, scoring four times in the third period for a 5-3 victory in a game it realistically had no right to win.

The victory pulled the Rangers (34-31-6) even in points with the Montreal Canadiens, who began the day holding the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. However, the Canadiens have three games in hand – one of which they’ll burn Saturday night when the Colorado Avalanche come to Bell Centre.

Before Jonny Brodzinski’s second goal of the third period with 4:13 remaining in regulation put the Rangers ahead to stay, the day belonged to Igor Shesterkin, who made 36 saves on a day his team was outshot 39-12 (11 plus J.T. Miller’s empty-netter with 13 seconds remaining). It was the second time in three games that the Rangers were outshot by more than 20; the Calgary Flames had a 35-13 margin in their 2-1 win at the Garden on Tuesday.

Brodzinski said there was “a little bit of yelling in the room” between the second and third periods after the Rangers were outshot 24-6 through 40 minutes but were tied 1-1 thanks to Shesterkin’s superb play.

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The message was simple: “We’re doing too many things to hurt ourselves,” he said. “We’re not finishing checks. We weren’t getting pucks deep, and when we were, we had one guy going hard (and) we had two guys kind of sitting back in our lock. Just play way more direct, a little bit more simple, and good things happen.”

Unlike the previous three losses during the homestand, in which they managed a total of one goal in the third period, the Rangers stepped up their game. They scored four times on six shots and got 13 saves from Shesterkin, who stood especially tall in the final 2:15 after the Canucks pulled goaltender Kevin Lankinen.

For the first time in a while, the Rangers found a way to win a close game. With time running out and one of the toughest remaining schedules in the NHL – including a three-game California trip that begins Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings — they’ll need to keep doing just that.

Related: Rangers prospect Noah Laba ‘exactly as advertised,’ scores goal in pro debut

Three takeaways from Rangers’ much-needed win against Canucks


Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s vital victory against Vancouver.

1. Perfect end to a perfect day


The Rangers always do ceremonies well, and the festivities honoring Rosen were no exception.

From bringing back his pre-Joe Micheletti partners, Phil Esposito and John Davidson, to the video and the speeches, the Rangers honored Rosen for his 40 years behind the mike with MSG Networks. Every plaudit was well-earned – just ask our own Jim Cerny.

But the day was almost a dud. The first two periods were an exercise in futility; only Shesterkin’s heroics kept the game even at 1-1 through 40 minutes. However, the Rangers made the most of their opportunities in the third period, scoring three times on five shots while taking advantage of a couple of defensive breakdowns by the Canucks — and getting a break when K’Andre Miller’s shot hit the leg of Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (the best skater on either team) and went past goaltender Kevin Lankinen to put the Rangers up 3-2.

KEY FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET. pic.twitter.com/HtdpES3zeJ

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 22, 2025

“It was kind of a mixed bag,” said J.T. Miller, who had an assist and an empty-net goal in his first game against the team that traded him to the Rangers on Jan. 31. “They probably outplayed us for most of the game today, but we stuck with it. I thought our best period was in the third period. You definitely don’t want to give up that many after you give up the lead, what, three times? We’ll take the points this time of year though.”

2. Here’s Jonny


The Rangers have struggled to get offense from their bottom-six forwards for the past three months. That’s one reason Brodzinski’s big afternoon was so rewarding.

The journeyman center had his second two-goal game this season – and the second of his career – against the Canucks. His nine goals in just 40 games are three more than he had in 57 games last season.

“I liked the responses in the third period,” coach Peter Laviolette said. “If we scored, they scored, the game came back to even and we put it back in there again. Obviously, Jonny had a big third period for us too. It was nice to get responses in the third period and get the win.”

3. More Igor heroics


Shesterkin is the biggest reason the Rangers stole two points.

With all respect to future Hockey Hall of Famer Jonathan Quick, if coach Peter Laviolette had opted to sit his No. 1 goalie against Vancouver, we’d likely be talking about another loss. No. 31 was superb from the opening face-off to the final buzzer. There were times, especially in the first two periods, when he looked like he was out there trying to fend off the Flames all by himself.

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Rangers became only the second team this season to win a game with 12 or fewer shots on goal – and one of those was into an empty net. Shesterkin was the reason they had a chance to win.

“There’s a reason why they paid him so much money,” a smiling Brodzinski said. “He’s the best goalie in the league.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ff-hopes-by-stealing-5-3-win-against-canucks/
 
Ex-Rangers goalie drafted before Igor Shesterkin in 2014 loses first NHL start with Lightning

NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah

Peter Creveling-Imagn ImagesPeter Creveling-Imagn Images

Brandon Halverson, a goaltender who was selected by the New York Rangers two rounds ahead of Igor Shesterkin in the 2014 NHL Draft but hadn’t played in the League since his lone appearance with them eight years ago, lost in his first NHL start when the Tampa Bay Lightning were beaten 6-4 by the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center on Saturday.

The 28-year-old got the start hours after a long trip following his recall from Syracuse of the American Hockey League. He finished with 19 saves on 24 shots before Utah hit the empty net in the final minute to seal the win.

Halverson signed a two-year, two-way NHL contract carrying an average annual value of $775,000 with the Lightning on Feb. 3, 2025. He backed up Andrei Vasilevskiy for Tampa Bay’s final four games before the 4 Nations Face-Off, after which he was returned to Syracuse.

NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at Utah

Peter Creveling-Imagn Images

The Lightning recalled him Saturday after Jonas Johansson, their regular backup, had to return to Tampa for a family matter.

“Richly deserved, a long time coming for him,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said of giving Halverson the start. “He’s really battled to get to this spot. (Johansson) has had a family matter he’s going to take care of, so he’s gone home for the rest of the road trip and Halvy will be with us.”

Cooper also said afterward that the loss “was not on (Halverson) at all. He had to take multiple planes, got in well after midnight. We didn’t play nearly well enough in front of him.”

Halverson was 16-9-11 with a .913 save percentage, 2.32 goals-against average and four shutouts in 34 games this season with Syracuse before being recalled. He’s tied for fourth in the AHL in shutouts, is eighth in GAA, had an assist on March 15 — his first since the 2016-17 season — and was selected for the North Division team at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic in Palm Desert, California, last month.

First career start for Halvy 🥹 pic.twitter.com/MPjggYbfzV

— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) March 22, 2025

The native of Traverse City, Michigan, has appeared in 100 AHL contests with Syracuse, the Tucson Roadrunners and the Hartford Wolf Pack. He is 41-41-15 with a .900 save percentage, 2.86 goals-against average and five shutouts.

Vasilevskiy, a two-time Stanley Cup winner who’s also won the Vezina Trophy and Conn Smythe Trophy, is locked in as the Lightning’s No. 1 goalie. The Lightning opted to use Halverson in the first of back-to-back road games, with Vasilevskiy in line to play against the Vegas Golden Knights on Sunday, with Halverson dressing as his backup.

Halverson loses in first NHL start, 11 years after being drafted by Rangers


Halverson’s first NHL start is a testimony to his perseverance.

He was the Rangers’ first pick (second round, No. 59 overall) in 2014 and turned pro in 2016-17 after twice playing for the United States at the World Junior Championship — winning a bronze medal in 2016. Shesterkin was taken in the fourth round (No. 118) that year, but the Moscow native opted to remain in Russia and became a star in the KHL until he signed with the Rangers on May 3, 2019, and came to North America for the 2019-20 season.

By then, Halverson was already well-traveled.

NHL: New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators

Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images

He split 2016-17, his first pro season, between the Rangers’ ECHL affiliate in Greenville, South Carolina, and Hartford, then did the same in 2017-18 — with the exception of Feb. 17, 2018. That’s when Halverson backed up Henrik Lundqvist and made his NHL debut after “The King” was pulled in the third period of a game against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre, having allowed five goals on 27 shots.

Halverson stopped five of six shots in 12:33 of playing time in a 6-3 loss. That appearance made him the eighth U.S.-born goaltender to play for the Rangers. Keith Kinkaid became No. 9 when he played in 2020-21 and 2021-22, and Jonathan Quick, who joined New York last season as Shesterkin’s backup, is the 10th. Quick became the first U.S.-born NHL goalie with 400 wins when the Rangers defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 on Feb. 2.

But Halverson’s career since that night in Ottawa hasn’t gone the way he’d planned.

NHL: New York Rangers at Ottawa Senators

Jean-Yves Ahern-Imagn Images

With Shesterkin under contract with the Rangers, Lundqvist still on hand and promising newcomer Alexandar Georgiev also battling for playing time, there was no place for Halverson after he split 2018-19 between Hartford and Maine of the ECHL. Instead, he became a free agent, spent most of 2019-20 with Norfolk of the ECHL and played four games for ECHL Wheeling in 2020-21 before a high ankle sprain ended his season. Halverson didn’t play at all in 2021-22 when he was recovering from knee and wrist surgery (instead, he worked on a farm), then returned to the ice in 2022-23 with Bayreuth in Germany’s second division.

Halverson went to camp in the fall of 2023 on a PTO with Syracuse, Tampa Bay’s AHL affiliate, and won four of five decisions before earning a two-year AHL contract from the Crunch in late November.

He ended up splitting time between Syracuse and Orlando, the Lightning’s ECHL affiliate, but excelled at the AHL level, where he was 7-3-3 in 14 games with a 2.18 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and one shutout. It was the best showing of his professional career to that point. He was named Syracuse’s starter in the Calder Cup Playoffs, when he was 3-4 but finished with a 2.19 GAA and .916 save percentage.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...in-2014-loses-first-nhl-start-with-lightning/
 
Rangers comeback against Canucks fueled by ‘little bit of yelling in locker room’

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

In the same week that they put forth an appalling lack of compete against the Calgary Flames, the New York Rangers found themselves in the dressing room at the second intermission Saturday having recorded six shots on goal in a similar dismal effort against the Vancouver Canucks.

Somehow — thank you Igor Shesterkin — the Rangers were not only still in the game, they were tied 1-1. A crucial pair of points were there for the taking. But unlike Tuesday, when they showed nothing in the third period and lost 2-1 to the Calgary Flames, the Rangers exploded for four goals on six shots in the final period, skating to a 5-3 win.

“We need points right now and we’re still in this run. … After those first two periods, a little bit of yelling in the locker room. I think we figured it out as a team, gotta stop turning pucks over and shooting ourselves in the foot,” Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski explained postgame. “After that, pucks just started to find their way into the net.”

It’s not that the Rangers were great in the third period — they still managed only six shots, including an empty-net goal by J.T. Miller, and allowed some Grade-A chances for the Canucks. But what the Rangers did best was battle and make the most of their opportunities.

“Shades of last year, too. So many come-from-behind wins and a lot of the same players on this team. Just being resilient,” Brodzinski noted.

Brodzinski was at the forefront of the third-period success Saturday. He scored a pair of pretty goals, the first at 1:39, when he buried a Miller feed from the slot to make it 2-1 Rangers.

JONNY FROM THE SLOT. pic.twitter.com/u4uQBdMHU6

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 22, 2025

Then after the Canucks twice came back to tie the score, Brodzinski scored the game-winner at 15:47, when he made it 4-3 with a lightning-quick release. That goal was a backbreaker since it came 37 seconds after Brock Boeser had tied the score for Vancouver.

“We were doing just too many things to hurt ourselves. We’re not finishing checks, we’re not getting pucks deep and when we were, we had one guy going hard and we had two guys kind of sitting back in our lock. Just playing way more direct, more simple and good things happen,” Brodzinski explained.

LAF WITH THE FEED + JONNY B. BURIES IT. pic.twitter.com/uzSCKk7q7z

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 22, 2025

It was Brodzinski’s second two-goal game in the NHL, and second such game in the past month, including his two-goal, three-point outing against the Islanders on Feb. 25.

“He’s been a really valuable piece just in the fact that he’s played all the positions, moved up and down the lineup and certainly has the capability offensively to deliver,” coach Peter Laviolette said about Brodzinski. “What I thought was evident for him where I thought we were a little off the mark from a speed standpoint tonight is that he’s skater, he can move. He can get involved in the rush and involved in the offense, where his speed can really be an asset for him.”

Related: Why Rangers’ need to play Brennan Othmann more is not just about the future

Despite win, Rangers ‘need to play better than that going forward’


Of course, this isn’t the blueprint for long-term success. The Rangers cannot keep starting so slowly, routinely being outworked, turning pucks over time and again and relying on Shesterkin to save the day.

It almost worked against the Flames. It did work against the Canucks. But with 11 games to play, the Rangers must figure out a way to clean up their overall game up and be able to compete for 60 minutes consistently. They’re ninth in the Eastern Conference, one point behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card.

However, each of the teams around them in the standings, including the Canadiens, has two games in hand on the Rangers. So, they’re going to need some luck in order to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. And they need to clean up their own game and continue to fight for points.

“It was kind of a mixed bag,” Miller said postgame. “They probably outplayed us for most of the game today, but we stuck with it. I think we had out best period in the third period … we’ll take the points this time of year, though.

“We need to play better than that going forward, I think.”

Laviolette certainly would agree with that last part.

“There’s no excuse for that,” Laviolette said. “We’re at a point in the season where we can’t start a game like that, like we did in the first period (outshot 11-1). We didn’t have the speed, they did. We need to possess the puck, we didn’t.”

Pressed specifically about what ails the Rangers, Laviolette responded, well, quickly.

“We’ve got to do things quicker,” the coach said. “Sometimes we’re moving it too slow, sometimes the game’s moving too slow. We’re looking for too many things East-West when we should be delivering pucks and that’s what was really evident for me in the first period even when we did get into the offensive zone, we’re still looking East-West. We just needed to keep the game simple, simplify it.”

After a flight to the West Coast and two days between games, the Rangers return to action against the tough Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, looking to keep it simple, play a full 60 minutes and find a way to pick up another two points in the standings.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...eback-canucks-little-bit-yelling-locker-room/
 
New York Rangers Daily: Sam Rosen’s ‘second home;’ 3-time Stanley Cup winner to retire

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

Sam Rosen wants to carry the New York Rangers — kicking and screaming it would appear — into the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. Retiring at the end of the season after 40 years behind the mic calling Rangers games, the legendary broadcaster who called their only championship in the past 85 years selfishly wants one more crack at working postseason games.

“I’m trying to drag this team into the playoffs with me,” Rosen said prior to a pregame ceremony Saturday honoring his four-decade tenure on Broadway. “I walk around the locker room at practice giving them encouragement, ‘Come on, guys, you can do it.’ They’re not listening to me, but hopefully that’ll change in the next couple of weeks.”

Well, there must’ve been some Sam Magic in the air at Madison Square Garden on Saturday because the Rangers emerged from a game-long coma to score four times on six shots (!) in the third period to stun the Vancouver Canucks 5-3.

Those very same Blueshirts that Sam loves so dearly didn’t exactly feed off the positive vibes from the pregame ceremony for the Hall of Fame broadcaster. But the rousing rally did put a sweet finishing touch on Rosen’s big day in the spotlight.

Rosen called Madison Square Garden his “second home” and then delivered this message straight from the heart.

“I’m the little kid from Brooklyn and here I am being honored by you and by Madison Square Garden and by the New York Rangers,” Rosen told the Garden Faithful. “I have truly lived the dream.”

He’d love a few more memorable moments. The Rangers haven’t provided nearly enough of them in Sam’s final season, so far. If the Rangers do reach the postseason, Rosen would be behind the mic on MSG Networks for the first round of the playoffs, and after that he’d work some other games on the radio side when Kenny Albert might have a national TV conflict.

Rosen even mentioned how much he’d love to call some Stanley Cup Final games this season. He’s only had the chance to do that twice for the Rangers, most recently in 2014 when they lost in five games to the Los Angeles Kings and 1994, when, well, you know …

“The waiting is over! The New York Rangers are the Stanley Cup champions! And this one will last a lifetime!”

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New York Rangers news

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

Here are three Rangers takeaways after they stole a 5-3 win against Canucks.

Breaking down the winners and losers from that much-needed Rangers win Saturday.

Our Tom Castro details why the Rangers need to give Brennan Othmann a bigger role, both for now and the future.

How about Noah Laba? The Rangers center prospect scored a short-handed goal less than 10 minutes into his pro debut with Hartford in an AHL clash against Hershey.

Here’s a personal appreciation of Sam Rosen, a friend and Rangers legend.

Rosen dishes on his broadcast partners in the booth during his Rangers tenure — Phil Esposito, John Davidson and Joe Micheletti.

NHL news and rumors

NHL: Nashville Predators at Chicago Blackhawks

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In that Rangers win over the Canucks, Vancouver lost two key forwards with unspecified injuries. Elias Pettersson and Nils Hoglander each was unable to finish the game.

Three-time Stanley Cup winner Pat Maroon of the Chicago Blackhawks said Saturday that he will retire at the end of this season.

Nearly 11 years after the Rangers selected Brandon Halverson ahead of Igor Shesterkin in the 2014 NHL Draft, the goalie made his first NHL start with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Halverson made 19 saves in a 6-4 loss to the Utah Hockey Club. Our John Kreiser has complete details.

Seth Jarvis left the Carolina Hurricanes’ 7-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings early in the third period after crashing into the boards. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour was optimistic postgame that the star forward will be OK.

The Montreal Canadiens rallied with three goals in the third period to force overtime, but lost 5-4 to the Colorado Avalanche in a shootout. Still, that crucial point gained keeps them one point ahead of the Rangers in for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference standings, and they have two games in hand.

Coach Sheldon Keefe called out defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic after the struggling New Jersey Devils lost to the Ottawa Senators 3-2.

The Detroit Red Wings continued their freefall, losing 6-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights. That’s nine losses in 11 games for the Red Wings, who are becoming a non-factor in the East playoff race.

Watch Tomas Hertl record a hat trick for the Golden Knights against the Red Wings.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins stepped up with a hat trick, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl each out injured, to lead the Edmonton Oilets to a 5-4 win over the Seattle Kraken.

The Nashville Predators stunned the Toronto Maple Leafs by scoring five straight goals in a 5-2 victory.

The Washington Capitals continue to steamroll their way through the regular season, winning for the ninth time in 10 games by defeating the Florida Panthers 6-3.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/daily-sam-rosen-day-pat-maroon-retire/
 
Brennan Othmann skates in top-6 at Rangers practice, Stanley Cup winner joins mix

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn ImagesDanny Wild-Imagn Images

After a brief audition in the top six over the weekend, it appears Brennan Othmann may get a bigger opportunity with the New York Rangers when they open a three-game California road trip in Los Angeles against the Kings on Tuesday.

Othmann practiced on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin in L.A. on Monday. That’s a pretty significant step up in responsibility for the rookie forward, who’s been tethered to a bottom-six role largely on the fourth line since he was recalled from Hartford of the American Hockey League before the Feb. 25 game against the Islanders.

The 22-year-old got a taste of skating with the big guns Saturday, when coach Peter Laviolette juggled lines looking for some life when the Rangers started slowly against the Vancouver Canucks. Othmann moved up to play alongside Trocheck and Panarin after he was one of the few notcieable skaters for the Rangers in the first period or two.

Though he didn’t play a lot — just 8:17 TOI — Othmann was a force physically with five hits and picked up his first NHL point, assisting on Adam Fox’s second-period goal that tied the score 1-1. Othmann also created havoc in the Canucks crease when K’Andre Miller scored in the third period to make it 3-2 Rangers.

Brennan Othmann gets his first NHL point as Adam Fox ties the game! pic.twitter.com/MplOOtVGw5

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) March 22, 2025

Simply, Othmann made a difference in the Rangers 5-3 victory and looks like he’ll be rewarded with a larger role Tuesday against the Kings, a team that’s won three straight and eight of nine.

Fighting for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the Rangers have been cautious with Othmann. He’s averaged just 9:05 TOI in 13 games, topping 10 minutes five times. Most of his minutes have been on the fourth line, where’s he’s been strong on the forecheck, physical and diligent defensively.

But Othmann’s DNA is to be a goal scorer, and he’s played a big offensive role his whole life. The 2021 first-round pick scored 50 goals in 66 OHL games with Flint in 2021-22 and 21 last season as a rookie pro in Hartford, second-most on the team. Despite an injury this season, he had 12 goals in 27 games for Hartford.

No disrespect to Matt Rempe, but Othmann will have more chance to reach his potential offensively skating on a line with Panarin and Trocheck. The former had 49 goals and 120 points last season, and leads the Rangers again this season with 31 goals and 75 points so far. The latter is second on the Rangers with 20 goals and tied for third with 49 points.

As long as Othmann can keep up and get to the net consistently with Panarin and Trocheck, and also prove he can be trusted defensively against other team’s best forwards, this feels like a chance worth taking.

Related: Brennan Othmann among winners from Rangers shocking 5-3 win over Canucks

Sam Carrick doesn’t practice with Rangers due to personal reasons

NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs at New York Rangers

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

The rest of the forward lines at practice were as they ended up Saturday. J.T. Miller centered a line with Alexis Lafreniere and Jonny Brodzinski; and Mika Zibanejad was in the middle of Chris Kreider and Will Cuylle.

The fourth line consisted of Rempe, Juuso Parssinen and Brett Berard, who was a healthy scratch Saturday.

Veteran center Sam Carrick didn’t practice due to personal reasons. The 33-year-old, who has six goals and 18 points, has played all 71 games this season.

As such, Nicolas Aube-Kubel was recalled from Hartford. The 2022 Stanley Cup champion with the Colorado Avalanche was acquired by the Rangers from the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the NHL trade deadline March 7 for Hartford defenseman Erik Brannstrom.

Aube-Kubel has 301 games of NHL experience and played for Laviolette in 2022-23 with the Washington Capitals. The 28-year-old had two points (one goal, one assist) in 19 games with the Sabres this season and scored the game-winning goal in overtime for Hartford in a 2-1 win against Milwaukee on Saturday.

Pending the outcome of the game between the Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, the Rangers are ninth in the Eastern Conference, one point behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second wild card.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...an-othmann-top-6-nicolas-aube-kubel-recalled/
 
New York Rangers Daily: Waiting on Gabe Perreault; Thatcher Demko return lifts Canucks

NCAA Hockey: New Hampshire at Boston College

Eric Canha-Imagn ImagesEric Canha-Imagn Images

It’s expected, but we don’t know for certain, that Gabe Perreault will sign his first pro contract with the New York Rangers at the conclusion of his sophomore season this spring with Boston College.

Right now BC is gearing up for the NCAA Tournament and a hopeful Frozen-Four appearance after flaming out in the Hockey East conference tournament. The vast majority of people I’ve spoken with on the men’s college hockey scene believe Perreault will turn pro after the Frozen Four or sometime this offseason. There are those, though, who believe the talented winger will return for his junior year should BC not win the national championship. But that’s the minority opinion.

Since it’s signing season for drafted and undrafted college players, anticipation is building about Perreault’s pending decision. Remember last spring the Rangers tried to sign 2022 fourth-round pick Noah Laba after his terrific sophomore season but he opted to return to play another season at Colorado College. Laba signed his entry-level contract last week and is in Hartford on an amateur tryout contract (ATO), where he scored a goal in his pro debut.

GRAB THAT PUCK!

Noah Laba with a BEAUTY for his 1st pro goal 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C0VbmEMc7H

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@WolfPackAHL) March 21, 2025

While Laba is a legit prospect, he’s no Perreault, who the Rangers hope can be an NHL star. The 2023 first-round pick is well-regarded for his high Hockey IQ and elite skill level. And his production has been legit at BC — 107 points (34 goals, 73 assists) in 71 games over two seasons. He also helped the United States win back-to-back gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championships.

The 19 year-old has excelled playing under the spotlight for BC and Team USA and most believe he’ll thrive in the NHL. He’s New York’s most skilled prospect, so, again, his pending decision is highly anticipated.

Keep in mind, if BC makes a deep postseason run, the Frozen Four ends April 12. The regular season concludes for the Rangers on April 17 — and there’s no guarantee that there will be playoff games to follow. So, Perreault could hold off on making his decision until sometime in the offseason.

For now, the Rangers are their fans are simply waiting on Perreault.

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New York Rangers news

NHL: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Rangers practiced in Los Angeles and rookie Brennan Othmann took line rushes with Vincent Trocheck and Artemi Panarin, a sign that he will get a top-six look Tuesday.

With Sam Carrick missing practice due to personal reasons, the Rangers recalled Nicolas Aube-Kubel from Hartford. He’s the only player on the roster with a Stanley Cup ring.

Nicolas Aubé-Kubel's first goal as a member of the @WolfPackAHL sealed a key OT victory last night. pic.twitter.com/pnFhsDlzaQ

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) March 23, 2025

Speaking of Hartford, here’s our Wolf Pack weekly, featuring items on goalie Dylan Garand and towering forward Dylan Roobroeck.

ICYMI, the Rangers signed defenseman prospect Jackson Dorrington to an entry-level contract after he completed his junior year at Northeastern. Acquired in the J.T. Miller trade, Dorrington will finish the season on an ATO with Hartford.

Here’s a breakdown of the Rangers week ahead on their three-game California road trip.

NHL news and rumors

NHL: Buffalo Sabres at Winnipeg Jets

James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images

In a big hit to the Winnipeg Jets, who are first in the Western Conference, top-six forward Gabe Vilardi is week to week with an upper-body injury.

Don’t expect the Edmonton Oilers to pity the Jets. The Oilers will be without both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl for at least each of their three games this week — and maybe longer. McDavid has a lower-body injury and Draisaitl has an undisclosed physical issue.

Speaking of missing at least every game his team plays this week, Tomas Hertl is not on the Vegas Golden Knights road trip due to an undisclosed injury.

Petr Mrazek had to leave the Detroit Red Wings’ 5-1 win against the Utah Hockey Club after a goal-mouth collision. Alex Lyon finished things off in a rare win down the stretch for Detroit.

In positive NHL injury news, Thatcher Demko returned for the Vancouver Canucks and backstopped them to a 4-3 shootout win against the New Jersey Devils.

Earlier Monday, our Ben Leeds wrote about how vulnerable the Devils are, cracks showing all over down the stretch of a season that started so well for them.

Islanders coach Patrik Roy called out the League’s video review system and officiating, blasting each after Kyle Palmieri’s last-second goal was disallowed because of goalie interference. The Islanders then lost 4-3 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a final decided by the shootout. That the Islanders got on e point and the Blue Jackets two wasn’t exactly the best news for the Rangers in the East playoff race.

Jeff Marek reports that Taylor Hall and the Carolina Hurricanes are working on a contract extension for the pending UFA forward.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed former Dartmouth forward Luke Haymes to a two-year, entry-level contract. The undrafted free agent had 41 goals in 83 career games with Dartmouth and will begin his pro career in the AHL on an ATO.

Mikael Backlund returned to Calgary Flames practice after the captain missed five games with an upper=body injury.

Jake Oettinger and the Dallas Stars shut out the Minnesota Wild 3-0.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...reault-decision-thatcher-demko-lifts-canucks/
 
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