RSS Rangers Team Notes

[New York Rangers]

Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Gabe Perreault continues to shine as AHL rookie

The Hartford Wolf Pack’s season high three game winning streak ended this past weekend, when they split a pair of games. The New York Rangers AHL affiliate enters this week, winners in five of their past eight games.

Last weekend featured a 5-2 win against Springfield on Friday. The Wolf Pack’s first line led the charge with three point performances from Gabe Perreault (two goals, one assist) and Justin Dowling (three assists). Jaroslav Chmelař recorded two assists.

Gabe’s second tally of the night pic.twitter.com/p7cXP5LV9X

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 6, 2025

The Wolf Pack followed up with a 6-2 loss to Bridgeport on Saturday. Brennan Othmann scored his second goal in four games, and Dowling also scored to extend his point-streak to three games (one goal, five assists).

Ottsy with a snipe pic.twitter.com/zOC3aMAdyp

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 7, 2025

The sixth-place Wolf Pack (8-10-4-0, 20 points) look to build on their recent strong play with three games this week.

Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes​

Welcome back​

The Hartford defense corps is about to get a boost with the return of two injured veterans. Brandon Scanlin, who sustained an injury during training camp and hasn’t played yet this season, cleared waivers on Sunday and returned to practice with the Wolf Pack. Scanlin played 206 games with the Wolf Pack, recording 46 points (20 goals, 26 assists), the previous four seasons.

Back to work this morning for @HWPHockey at PeoplesBank Arena.

D Brandon Scanlin is on the ice after clearing waivers from #NYR yesterday.

Pack hosts Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (7:00 p.m.) on Wednesday before a trip to Utica/Syracuse. pic.twitter.com/LrFqobihMB

— Alex Thomas (@AlexThomasHWP) December 8, 2025

Blake Hillman, who sustained an upper-body injury Nov. 15, is now officially day to day and close to a lineup return. He was initially week to week. Hillman was playing his best hockey before the injury, and had five points (two goals, three assists) in 12 games.

Gabe Perreault continues to shine in rookie AHL season​

Though the Rangers are happy to let Perreault marinade in the minors as he matures physically and as a player, the 20-year-old forward may not be long for Hartford. Perreault has 17 points (10 goals, seven assists) in 17 games, and recently recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in a three-game point streak that included consecutive multi-goal outings.

gabe perreault does it again pic.twitter.com/4l0l5Mu6mO

— hope (@nohopeleague) December 6, 2025

New York’s first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft leads the Wolf Pack in goals, points, point-per-game (1.00), and plus-minus (+10). Perreault is tied for fourth among AHL rookies in goals, and tied for eighth in points.

Though he only has one assist in three games with the Rangers this season, Perreault continues to knock on their door, showing he’s ready for another crack at it in the NHL

Hear from Wolf Pack forward Gabe Perreault following his two goal performance against the Springfield Thunderbirds last night ↓ pic.twitter.com/JzUjwo6b5N

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 6, 2025

Dylan Garand sharp in Hartford return​

Dylan Garand returned to Hartford after serving as Igor Shesterkin’s backup for three games in New York. The 23-year-old goalie still hasn’t made his NHL debut, and didn’t play at all over a 12-day span until his start Friday back in the AHL.

Garand looked sharp, though, stopping 34 of 36 shots in the win against Springfield. He was instrumental in a game where the Thunderbirds pushed hard for a comeback, and made a string of impressive saves.

GARAND IS GRAND@HWPHockey | @NYRangers pic.twitter.com/e7ftCI1iof

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) December 6, 2025

Initially given the night off on Saturday against Bridgeport, Garand replaced Callum Tung for the second and third periods. Tung, who faced 12 shots, conceded three goals in the first period before he was pulled. Coach Grant Potulny attempted to spark Hartford with the switch, and Garand finished with 21 saves on 23 shots in relief.

Garand is 4-6-2 with a 2.88 goals-against average and .903 save percentage for Hartford this season after his strong play last weekend.

Justin Dowling playing big role for Wolf Pack​

Justin Dowling — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Signed by the Rangers to a two-year contract on July 7, Dowling has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 21 games with Hartford, and been a mentor for Perreault, his young linemate. The 35-year-old forward leads the Wolf Pack in assists, is second in points, and tied for fourth in goals.

Potulny leans on the veteran, who played last season with the New Jersey Devils, deploying him as the Wolf Pack’s No. 1 center. As a result, Dowling created strong chemistry with Perreault, and other young forwards given opportunities on the line, like Othmann and Chmelař. Dowling’s experience (152 NHL, 594 AHL, and 60 ECHL games) is a major asset for the Wolf Pack.

JUSTIN DOWLING WITH THE FASTEST GOAL TO START A PERIOD THIS SEASON pic.twitter.com/W7hDZpnals

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 7, 2025

Dowling’s last full season in the AHL was 2023-24. He is on pace to exceed his totals from that season (40 points).

Upcoming Games​

All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.

Wednesday, December vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (Pittsburgh) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena​

• This is the fourth of six meetings in the season series. Hartford is 1-2-0-0 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
• The Penguins are 17-5-1-0 (35 points), first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. They are third overall in the AHL.
• Sam Poulin leads the Penguins with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists). Next is Danton Heinen with 18 points (six goals, 12 assists).

Friday, December 12 vs Utica Comets (Devils) at 7:00pm, Adirondack Bank Center​

• This is the first of two meetings in the season series. Hartford lost the series in 2024-25 (0-1-0-1).
• Utica is 4-12-3-1 (12 points), seventh (last) in the North Division and 15th (last) in the Eastern Conference.
• Xavier Parent leads the Comets with 12 points (six goals, six assists). Mike Hardman has 10 points (five goals, five assists).

Saturday, December 13 vs Syracuse Crunch (Lightning) at 7:00pm, Upstate Medical Arena at The Onecenter War Memorial​

This is the first of two meetings in the season series. Hartford split the series in 2024-25 (1-0-1-0). The second meeting is Dec. 19.

• Syracuse is 13-8-1-0 (27 points), third in the North Division and tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference.
• Jakob Pelletier leads the Crunch with 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) and is tied for second in the League. Next is Nick Abruzzese with 20 points (five goals, 15 assists).

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...rd-wolf-pack-gabe-perreault-shines-ahl-rookie

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers stock report: Which young players up, down, including Noah Laba

The New York Rangers dropped the puck on their centennial season on Oct. 7, and had their fair share of ups and downs since.

It feels like a good time to analyze where the Rangers’ higher-profile younger players stand two months into the 2025-26 season. So, let’s examine whose stock is on the rise, and who is trending the other way.

To be included in this stock report, players must be 24 years old or younger, and have fewer than 100 games of NHL experience. That excludes young NHL “veterans” like Alexis Lafreniere, Braden Schneider, Will Cuylle, and Juuso Parssinen, and put the focus where we want, on the next wave of Rangers youngesters.

Noah Laba: Stock Up​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Noah Laba is the gold standard this season among the Rangers top young players and prospects. Already a favorite of coach Mike Sullivan, the 22-year-old rookie just gets better by the day. Laba’s the anchor in the middle of the third line, playing a committed 200-foot game, averaging more than 13 minutes TOI, and contributing eight points (four points, four assists). His compete level is never in question, and his maturity on and off the ice stands out. He has the makings of being a lineup staple for years to come. So, yes, his stock is definitely up.

Brennan Othmann: Stock down​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

After underwhelming in training camp and failing to make New York’s opening-night roster, Brennan Othmann’s stock continues to sink within the organization. So much so, that Othmann trade rumors are a thing, with other teams trying to buy low on the 2021 first-round pick. Sullivan is no fan of Othmann’s defensive play nor effort, and that’s a big reason the forward spent most of the season with Hartford of the American Hockey League. Othmann has eight points (two goals, six assists) in 16 AHL games, continuing his underwhelming trend. He was recalled twice by the Rangers, but played only one late October game.

Gabe Perreault: Stock Up​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Like Othmann, Gabe Perreault is another first-round pick (2023) who failed to crack the opening-night roster on Broadway. The difference is that Perreault’s a rookie pro developing nicely in the minors. The 20-year-old leads Hartford with 10 goals and 17 points in 17 games, playing important minutes on the top line. Perreault has a pair of two-goal games in his past three outings, and earned AHL Player of the Week honors earlier this season. Perreault played three games with the Rangers in mid-November, and picked up his first NHL point, assisting on a Lafreniere power-play goal against the Nashville Predators. As Sullivan noted, the kid has things to work on and must get stronger physically. But his stock remains on the rise, for sure.

Dylan Garand: Stock Down​

Jessica Alcheh-Imagn Images

Handed the reins to be Hartford’s No. 1 goalie this season, presumably as a run-up to one day soon becoming Igor Shesterkin’s back up with the Rangers when Jonathan Quick decides to retire, Dylan Garand hasn’t exactly taken off with the opportunity. The 23-year-old, an AHL All-Star last season, is 4-6-2 with a 2.88 goals-against average and .903 save percentage, though played better of late. When Quick landed on IR recently, the Rangers recalled Garand. But Sullivan elected to start Shesterkin in every game, including both ends of a back-to-back set, showing little confidence in Garand, who’s yet to make his NHL debut. As of today, Garand’s stock is down, but that certainly can change moving forward.

Scott Morrow: Stock Even​

David Kirouac-Imagn Images

For most of the first two months, Scott Morrow’s stock was on the decline. A gifted offensive defenseman, Morrow struggled at both ends of the rink with Hartford, and received little opportunity when called up to the Rangers. But the 23-year-old acquired in the K’Andre Miller trade this past summer found his footing the past four games with the Rangers. He’s been solid on the third defense pair since Adam Fox landed on LTIR, holding his own against elite opponents like the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights. The next step is for him to earn more trust defensively and begin producing more points, the true strength of his game.

Matthew Robertson: Stock Up​

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

You’d be hard pressed to find a young player in the Rangers organization who improved their stock more than Matthew Robertson the past year or so. Two summers ago, it was a surprise the Rangers offered Robertson the qualifying offer. But he turned things around in his fourth pro season in 2024-25 with Hartford, made his NHL debut late in the season, and landed with the Rangers as one of their seven d-men out of training camp. He got an opportunity through injury early in the season, and now won’t relinquish his spot on the left side of the third defense pair. The 24-year-old averages more than 16 minutes TOI over 22 games, and though there’s room for improvement, he’s a pleasant surprise and his stock is on the upswing.

Brett Berard – Stock Even​

David Kirouac-Imagn Images

We will call Brett Berard’s stock even, since he’s maintained a spot on the third line the past few weeks. The 23-year-old brings plenty of speed and energy to the Rangers lineup. But if Berard doesn’t start producing — he’s pointless in eight games — he easily could wind up back in Hartford, where he began the season.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...tock-report-young-players-including-noah-laba

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers coach delivers positive Matt Rempe, Adam Fox injury updates

There was a big reason for the New York Rangers to feel good when they returned to practice on Tuesday. That’s because popular, towering forward Matt Rempe joined them on the ice for the first time since he sustained an upper-body injury during a fight against Ryan Reaves of the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 23.

The 6-foot-9 wing participated in drills wearing a no-contact red jersey. Coach Mike Sullivan also disclosed that Rempe is making the trip to Chicago with the Rangers, who visit the Blackhawks at United Center on Wednesday. That could be a sign the 23-year-old will be a full participant in practice sooner rather than later.

Look who’s back today. Matt Rempe is practicing in no-contact red. Edstrom, though, is still not out there. pic.twitter.com/GRa6gff3Bk

— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) December 9, 2025

After facing the Blackhawks, the Rangers do not play again until Saturday, when they host the Montreal Canadiens, giving them two more days between games.

“He skated a fair amount on his own with our skills coaches. The next step is to get him around the group in a team setting in a non-contact jersey. That’s what he was today,” Sullivan said after practice. “And then. obviously. the final step is to get him into game role scenarios.”

Rempe has one goal and seven penalty minutes in nine games this season. He played every game to start the season and was a force on the forecheck as well as a committed defensive player. Rempe toned down the theatrics and controversy that were a big part of his first two NHL seasons, and appeared to turn the corner as a trusted bottom-six player on the fourth line.

Which makes it ironic that Rempe was hurt in a fight, his first of the season.

Rempe’s return, when it happens, will be most welcome by the Rangers, who’ve had numerous players take shifts on fourth line, centered by Sam Carrick. The other usual staple on that unit, Adam Edstrom, also is injured. Edstrom didn’t practice Tuesday nor will he make the trip to Chicago. He’ll be out for the fourth straight game.

Sullivan noted that Edstrom is taking part in the “return-to-play protocol,” but didn’t specify the nature of the 6-foot-7 forward’s injury. Edstrom has four points (two goals, two assists) in 24 games this season.

Adam Fox skates on own, remains on LTIR for Rangers​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Sullivan had another small dose of positive injury news Tuesday. He revealed that Adm Fox skated twice on his own since the star defenseman landed on LTIR with an upper-body injury nine days ago.

Fox must miss a minimum of 10 games; Wednesday marks the fifth game he’s out. There’s been no timetable placed on when Fox will actually return, though it’s not expected to be months.

Without the 2021 Norris Trophy winner as top NHL defenseman, the Rangers are 2-0-2, taking six of eight points last week. The Rangers defeated one of the best teams in the League, the Dallas Stars, in overtime a week ago and lost twice in OT to the League-leading Colorado Avalanche and high-flying Vegas Golden Knights.

Sullivan’s pleased with how the Rangers fared without Fox to this point.

“I think the guys have done a really good job, they’re competing hard,” Sullivan said. “He’s not an easy guy to replace. He plays a lot of minutes, first and foremost. He helps us with our transition game, his ability to move the puck, join the offense. He’s active off the offensive blue line, helps us on the power play — and he defends hard.

“I think the guys that have stepped in have done a real good job as far as bringing what they bring, not trying to do too much, playing within themselves.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/positive-matt-rempe-adam-fox-injury-updates

 

[New York Rangers]

NHL insider doubles down: Rangers will ‘take a swing’ at Quinn Hughes trade

Two days after reporting that the New York Rangers will be in on Quinn Hughes, should the Vancouver Canucks decide to follow through and trade their captain, Dave Pagnotta doubled down on his original take.

The NHL insider first mentioned the Rangers’ interest in Hughes on Monday.

“With all the attention on the New Jersey Devils and Quinn Hughes lately – and yes, the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers have been lumped in there, too – another team to look out for is the New York Rangers,” Pagnotta wrote in The Fourth Period. “That would allocate a lot of dollars to their back end, but it wouldn’t shock me to see the Blueshirts taking a swing.”

Given a chance by co-hosts Jonny Lazarus and Colby Cohen to walk back his take on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast Wednesday, Pagnotta remained firm in his belief that the Rangers are seriously interested in the All-Star defenseman.

“Do I think it’s going to happen tomorrow? No. Do I think he’s going to be a New York Ranger? I don’t know yet. It’s still way too early in that process,” Pagnotta explained. “But in terms of teams that I anticipate to be in the mix in a more serious rather than just poking around type of situation, I think the Rangers are going to be one of them with where they’re at, with the owner they’ve got, and with a clear lack of desire to go through a rebuild. I think the New York Rangers … are one of those teams that will try to step up to this.”

Pagnotta admitted most, if not all, general managers will check in with their Canucks counterpart, Patrik Allvin, to see if the Canucks really would trade Hughes, the 2023-24 Norris Trophy winner as top defenseman in the NHL.

However, Pagnotta’s bigger point is that only a select group of teams would be in serious pursuit of the 26-year-old … and the Rangers are in that mix.

“I think this is a team that’s going to be interested in actually making an attempt to acquire him.”

NHL insider believes Rangers would love to ‘get their hands on Quinn Hughes’​

Danny Wild-Imagn Images

The Canucks are in freefall for the second straight season, just two years after they finished first in the Pacific Division. They traded J.T. Miller to the Rangers on Jan. 31 last season and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Canucks (11-16-3) are last in the NHL standings with the Christmas break less than two weeks way and let other teams know they’re willing to discuss possible trades involving their pending free agents.

Hughes is under contract at a very affordable $7.85 million annually through the 2026-27 season. So, he is not a pending free agent. However, with all the talk about Hughes leaving to possibly reunite with brothers Jack and Luke with the New Jersey Devils in two summers, and no belief that he’ll stay long term in Vancouver, the Canucks likely want to end the distraction, cut the cord and move him sooner rather than later — especially considering their poor on-ice performance.

Pierre Lebrun stated this week on TSN that moving Hughes ahead of the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline likely affords the Canucks the best return package. But is this the type of trade the Rangers even have an appetite for?

| Quinn Hughes on the #NJDevils HNIC trade rumours as well as the Canucks rumours in general

“It wasn’t like, if there was a call, me, Jim and Fitzy hopped on the call. You know, I wasn’t apart of that but obviously I’m aware things like that could happen, for sure.” pic.twitter.com/vTSX1hKW9o

— Hughes Updates (@_hughesupdates) December 7, 2025

In the immediate short term, it’d be a boon to land Hughes with Adam Fox on LTIR with an upper-body injury. But no deal of this magnitude will come together that quickly, and Fox isn’t expected to be sidelined for months. In fact, Fox is skating on his own, and misses his fifth game Wednesday when the Rangers visit the Chicago Blackhawks.

A potential Hughes trade is fascinating to consider for the Rangers. His addition would give New York a top four on defense featuring Fox with Vladislav Gavrikov, and Hughes with Will Borgen. That’d be among the best in the League. But are there enough minutes and high-end responsibility to keep Fox and Hughes — each a Norris Trophy winner — content? And what about sinking all that cap space on those two and Gavrikov on the back end?

Plus any trade likely weakens the Rangers at the forward position, assuming Alexis Lafreniere and/or Gabe Perreault are part of the return.

Nonetheless, it’s an intriguing topic to ponder, and rumor to follow. Let’s see as things progress if Pagnotta is spot on about how deeply the Rangers get involved.

“I would not be surprised if they not just inquire, but take a swing and see if they can get their hands on Quinn Hughes.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/quinn-hughes-trade-rumors-rangers-canucks

 

[New York Rangers]

Listless Rangers shut out by Spencer Knight, Blackhawks 3-0: key takeaways

Looking a step slow all night, the New York Rangers didn’t deserve to win Wednesday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. And they didn’t. Spencer Knight made 21 saves and the Blackhawks shut out the Rangers 3-0 at United Center.

It was the sixth shutout loss in 32 games this season for the Rangers, and their first on the road. Knight was sharp, though it was hardly a taxing game for the 24-year-old goalie, who earned his second shutout of the season and seventh of his career. He faced only four shots in the third period, though two were point-blank opportunities by Noah Laba during a 1-2 sequence by Knight’s crease.

Spencer Knight with back-to-back stops on Noah Laba pic.twitter.com/ENiClWbocU

— BHF (@BlackhawksFocus) December 11, 2025

Igor Shesterkin finished with 22 saves for the Rangers, who are winless in their past three games (0-1-2). Connor Bedard had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks, who surrendered 13 goals over the weekend in consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, and appeared committed to playing a far better all-around game Wednesday.

Tyler Bertuzzi and Louis Crevier also scored for Chicago.

Neither team scored in the first period, but there were several close calls for each side. Shesterkin made a diving blocker save to deny Andre Burakovsky’s rebound try 3:15 into the game; and three minutes later he got a pad on Bedard’s one-timer after accepting a cross-ice pass.

IGOR WHAT A SAVE IN CLOSE TO KEEP IT SCORELESS pic.twitter.com/PhblGQjLQ6

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 11, 2025

Roughly 30 seconds after that clutch Shesterkin save, the Rangers came within inches of scoring the game’s first goal. Between the circles, J.T. Miller deflected Scott Morrow’s pass/shot from inside the blue line, but hit the post. Then at 11:20, Mika Zibanejad had a breakaway, and though he beat Knight between the pads, the his shot went wide of the net.

The Rangers were out-shot 10-6 in the scoreless first period, but started strong in the second. Knight made two clutch pad saves on the first shift, one on Miller’s wraparound and another on Conor Sheary’s putback. New York killed off a Matthew Robertson holding penalty at 2:31, and then received their first power play at 5:25.

Not only did the Rangers fail to generate any good looks on the power play, but they surrendered a short-handed goal at 7:08 to fall behind 1-0. Crevier got behind the five Rangers forwards on the ice, and the 6-foot-8 Chicago defenseman used his long reach to push a backhand shot past a poke check from Shesterkin. It was Crevier’s third goal, first career shorty, and first goal of any kind in the past 20 games.

Shorthanded goal alert!

Louis Crevier scores first for the @NHLBlackhawks!

: @NHL_On_TNT & @StreamOnMax https://t.co/4TuyIATi3T pic.twitter.com/5PY1nJg4Gl

— NHL (@NHL) December 11, 2025

Chicago nearly doubled its lead at 10:40 when Ryan Donato barreled down the middle and buried a Burakovsky chip into the slot. But video review upheld a Rangers challenge that their was a missed hand pass before the goal, and the score remained 1-0.

Or at least it did until Bedard chipped a pass from Burakovsky top shelf past Shesterkin’s glove at 14:27. It was Bedard’s 19th goal of the season and his first in four career games against the Rangers.

Bedard had a hand in the next goal too, when the Blackhawks took a 3-0 lead at 3:52 of the third period. He drove to the middle with speed and got the puck to Ryan Greene, who put the puck between his legs for a shot on goal. Bertuzzi collected the rebound and flipped the puck past Shesterkin from in tight for his 16th goal, and fourth in the past six games.

Alexis Lafreniere came close to ending Knight’s shutout bid at 11:15, but his gorgeous 1-on-1 move resulted in a backhand shot hitting the crossbar.

Key takeaways after New York Rangers’ 3-0 loss to Chicago Blackhawks​

David Banks-Imagn Images

Trap game​

The Rangers said all the right things heading into this game about not taking the Blackhawks for granted, or as a lesser opponent than the gauntlet of top NHL teams they faced — and played well against — last week. They promised there’d be no drop off in their play and intensity after those big games against the Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Vegas Golden Knights.

But this felt a bit like a trap game. Struggling opponent — Chicago was 2-6-2 in its previous 10 games — badly outclassed over the weekend. Plus the Rangers had two days between games, and have another two straight off before hosting the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. So maybe they took the foot off the gas pedal.

Rested and confident. And then outplayed, pretty much right from the first puck drop, by a hungrier opponent, one perhaps motivated even more by their recent embarrassments. Trap game or perhaps just an off night. Either way, a missed opportunity to get two important points for the Rangers.

Not passing the eye test​

The analytics and underlying numbers tell you that the Rangers played on pretty much even terms with the Blackhawks. New York had a 12-10 advantage in high-danger chances, and a decent 48.5 percent expected goal share 5v5, per Natural Stat Trick. Even the shots on goal were close, with Chicago holding a 25-21 advantage. And the shot attempts were 52-49 Blackhawks. All that seems OK for the Rangers.

Except if you watched the game, you saw how much quicker the Blackhawks were than the Rangers. Quicker through center ice. Quicker to pucks. Quicker decision making. That’s the main takeaway from this loss. The Rangers appeared slower in every facet of the game. That, and Chicago showed more hunger.

Sure, the Rangers were credited with a decisive 36-12 edge in the hits category. That says something. But all those hits didn’t slow down a pretty darn committed opponent. That says something else.

This game and result was a case of trusting your eyes, trusting what you see.

Powerless​

The Rangers not only were 0-for-3 on the power play, but that short-handed goal they surrendered was a crusher. It snapped a scoreless tie and sent the Blackhawks on their way with an extra jolt of confidence, and brought the United Center crowd into the game.

David Banks-Imagn Images

It was the first time the five-forward PP1 unit deployed in Adam Fox’s injury absence allowed a shorty. Zibanejad lost a puck battle just outside the offensive blue line; Vincent Trocheck was late to help out; and Artemi Panarin skated in a circle in the neutral zone, failing to realize Crevier was behind him at the the other blue line. All of that led directly to the third short-handed goal surrendered by New York this season.

Morrow shifted on to the top power-play unit later in the game, and likely will be its quarterback in the next game against the Canadiens. Trocheck had New York’s only shot on goal, a good scoring opportunity late in the third period, in six minutes of power-play time Wednesday. And the Rangers are now 0-for-11 on the man advantage in the five games Fox missed with an upper-body injury.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...p-blackhawks-shutout-spencer-knight-takeaways

 

[New York Rangers]

Former Rangers teammate warns Chris Kreider about ‘goofy’ MSG homecoming

Derek Stepan knows exactly what awaits his former New York Rangers teammate Chris Kreider next week, when he returns to Madison Square Garden for the first time as an opposing player. That doesn’t mean he’s got a good strategy for Kreider to get through an emotional day.

“It’s a lot that day, when you’re heading back into the building, even just walking to the other side. It’s just a heavy day,” Stepan explained last week on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast. “Everyone around you wants to give you advice, like ‘Hey, after your first shift you’ll get into it.’ And then the video [tribute] comes and you’re sitting there watching it.

“So for Chris, there’s just no good advice and there’s no easy way to do it. He’ll do it like the rest of the guys have done it, and he’ll get through it, and the next time it gets easier.”

The Rangers traded Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks last summer, and Monday marks his first return to MSG. The popular 34-year-old forward played 883 regular-season games, and another 123 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, over 13 seasons with the Rangers. He’s third in franchise history with 326 goals, and tied for first with 116 power-play goals.

Kreider’s off to a great start with the Ducks. He has 13 goals and 21 points in 26 games, helping the Ducks (19-10-1) to the top of the Pacific Division standings.

Outside of his famous roars when he scores a goal, Kreider is not known to share his emotions publicly. It’ll be interesting to see how Kreider reacts to the expected rousing ovation when he hits the ice at The Garden, and again when the tribute video is played on the MSG videoboard.

“It’s goofy. Again, it’s just heavy,” Stepan explained. “You go into the building, and whatever the emotions were at the time you got traded, whether you were angry or sad or excited to be going out of there, whatever your scenario was, when you come into that building, all you wan to do is win. You’re like, ‘I don’t care what it takes, we’ve got to get two points, and then I want to get out of this building.’

“You get out on the ice and then they show you the tribute and you’re like, ‘Oh man, it was a great time when I was here.’ It just downshifts you so hard. It’s mixed emotions. … It’s just one goofy night.”

Derek Stepan recalls his first game back at MSG after Rangers traded him​

Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

Stepan was a very popular homegrown Rangers player, but didn’t have quite the distinguished career on Broadway that Kreider did. Nor did he play as long with the Rangers. The former top-6 center, who’s now retired and working for the Minnesota Wild, is 29th in Rangers history with 360 points (128 goals, 232 assists) in 515 regular-season games.

As teammates, Stepan and Kreider helped the Rangers win the Presidents’ Trophy in 2014-15, reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2014, and play in the Eastern Conference Final three times. The Rangers traded Stepan at the 2017 NHL Draft, sending him to the Arizona Coyotes. Not unlike Kreider, Stepan was moved primarily to create more room under the salary cap.

Stepan’s return to Madison Square Garden didn’t go so well. The Coyotes lost their 10th straight game that night, falling 5-2 to the Rangers on Oct. 26, 2017. Stepan was held without a point and finished minus-3.

The Rangers would sign up for a similar result Monday. The Ducks and Kreider? Not so much.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ns-chris-kreider-madison-square-garden-return

 

[New York Rangers]

What a potential Rangers trade for Quinn Hughes could look like

Let’s start with this. This reporter doesn’t believe the New York Rangers will acquire Quinn Hughes, when — if — the Vancouver Canucks decide to trade him.

Right now, Hughes feels like a luxury for a team that already has Adam Fox as its No. 1 defenseman and power-play quarterback. A dynamic proven point producer to play in the top-six forward group is the more immediate need for the Rangers, if they’re going big-game hunting any time soon. Especially with the possibility high-flying forward Artemi Panarin bolts as a free agent next summer.

Of course, the flip side to that argument is that superstars in their prime — regardless of what position they play — demand your attention if they become available, either through free agency or trade. Chris Dury would do a disservice to the Rangers organization if he didn’t check in about Hughes and find out what’s the cost of doing business with the Canucks.

Really, that’s the crux of NHL insider Dave Pagnotta’s take that the Rangers are serious about Hughes

“Do I think it’s going to happen tomorrow? No. Do I think he’s going to be a New York Ranger? I don’t know yet. It’s still way too early in that process,” Pagnotta explained Wednesday on the Morning Cuppa Hockey podcast. “But in terms of teams that I anticipate to be in the mix in a more serious rather than just poking around type of situation, I think the Rangers are going to be one of them with where they’re at, with the owner they’ve got, and with a clear lack of desire to go through a rebuild. I think the New York Rangers … are one of those teams that will try to step up to this.”

And let’s face it, whether goals and points come from the forwards or the back end, the Rangers need to score more 5v5 and on the power play. Through 32 games, they’re 29th in the NHL, averaging 2.56 goals per game. The Rangers were shut out Wednesday for the sixth time this season, losing 3-0 to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Hughes has 431 points (61 goals, 370 assists) in 458 career games, slightly better numbers than Fox (395 points also in 458 games). Each has a Norris Trophy on his resume (Fox in 2021; Hughes in 2024), and each recorded 70 or more points three times.

Of course, each is used to playing big minutes as the top dog on defense, and there’d have to be a shift in mindset about shared roles. But, hey, it certainly worked for the Rangers in 1994, when they won the Stanley Cup with Brian Leetch and Sergei Zubov, two highly-skilled Hall-of-Fame defensemen, anchoring the top two defense pairs.

That’s not an apples to apples comparison, since Leetch and Zubov each were Rangers draft picks, with the latter establishing himself after Leetch already won the Calder and Norris Trophies. A closer comparison is one Rangers coach Mike Sullivan knows well from his days with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who acquired Erik Karlsson when they already had Kris Letang. That hasn’t worked out so well.

But Fox paired with Vladislav Gavrikov, and Hughes alongside Will Borgen? There’s lots to like there, for sure.

So, let’s play along and break down what a possible Rangers trade for Hughes could look like.

What it could take for Rangers to land Quinn Hughes in a trade​

Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Hughes earns a reasonable $7.85 million annually, and his contract runs through 2026-27. The Rangers have $3.709 million in available salary cap space, per PuckPedia. And that’s factoring in LTIR ramifications, since Fox, Matt Rempe, and Adam Edstrom each is on long-term injured reserve.

The Canucks have less than $200,000 in available cap space, with defenseman Derek Forbort on LTIR.

A smooth financial fit for each side is to have Alexis Lafreniere be the main return for Hughes, since the 24-year-old makes $7.45 million through 2031-32. So, for argument’s sake, the Rangers trade Lafreniere, one of their two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, and a prospect, say Brennan Othmann, for Hughes. Maybe the Rangers also get a mid-level prospect or mid-round draft pick back as well. Perhaps, the Canucks want rookie defenseman Scott Morrow included in the deal, since they’ll need a good, young puck distributor to help fill the Hughes void.

That may not be enough for the Canucks, who can expect serious offers from many teams, including the New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, and Detroit Red Wings. But it’s an intriguing offer, especially since the Canucks long had interest in Lafreniere.

Nick Kypreos: Re Quinn Hughes: It seems the going rate for a team wishing to acquire Hughes is a combination of four or five pieces, including roster players, prospects and first-rounders. The Canucks are seeking those first-rounders to be unprotected – Sportsnet (12/9)

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) December 11, 2025

If it’s not enough, and the Rangers really want Hughes, do they swallow hard and include top prospect Gabe Perreault? That’d leave the Rangers mighty thin in their top-six forward group. Lafreniere is currently a staple there, and if he’s traded, Perreault is the most logical fit to replace him. It’s difficult to see the Rangers sending both forwards, plus a first-round pick, to the Canucks for a player we already deemed a luxury.

In this iteration, Perreault feels a bit untouchable. So, too, do young forwards Will Cuylle and Noah Laba. So, Lafreniere, Morrow, Othmann, and a first-rounder for Hughes. And maybe the Rangers get a piece to help up front.

Another possibility is the Rangers using Braden Schneider as another central figure in a bigger deal for Hughes. That’s another player the Canucks like a lot, and tried to acquire as recently as last season. Since, Schneider makes $2.2 million per season — though is an RFA with arbitration rights after this one ends — this specific trade scenario needs to be expanded because the numbers don’t add up cap-wise for the Rangers, and it’s not a big enough return from the Canucks point of view.

But how about this blockbuster? The Rangers send Lafreniere, Schneider, Othmann and/or Morrow, and a first-round pick to the Canucks for Hughes and Evander Kane, or Nils Hoglander if you prefer? Kane is a rugged veteran forward making $5.125 million in the final season of his contract. The inconsistent but talented Hoglander, makes $3 million per through 2027-28.

It’s all speculative at this point, though fun to go through the process. One thing for certain is that until he’s traded, Quinn Hughes will be the dominant name in NHL trade rumors.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-trade-rumors-quinn-hughes

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers injury update: Matt Rempe ‘close’ but won’t play against Canadiens

For the first time since he sustained an upper-body injury in a fight back on Oct. 23, New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe participated in a full practice Friday. However, the towering forward doesn’t quite have the green light to return to game action.

So, that means Rempe misses his 24th consecutive game Saturday, when the Rangers host the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden.

“He will not play tomorrow. He was full contact today,” coach Mike Sullivan stated Friday. “Given the time he was out, we think it’s important he gets a couple of practices under his belt in a full capacity. We’ll monitor as he goes, but he’s getting close.”

When those practices come is anyone’s guess. The Rangers’ schedule turns fairly hellacious next week, when they play five games in seven days, including a pair of back-to-back sets bookending the week.

It’s certainly possible that Rempe practices hard in a morning skate or two and then gets back in the lineup later in the week.

The popular 23-year-old has one goal and seven penalty minutes in nine games this season.

He’s missed on the fourth line, which had several different looks in his absence. Veteran stalwart Sam Carrick will center Taylor Raddysh and rookie Jaroslav Chmelar against the Canadiens, based on practice Friday.

Rangers make ‘number of adjustments’ to top power-play unit​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After the 3-0 shutout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday, Sullivan alluded to making changes on the power play. The Rangers were 0-for-3 in Chicago and allowed a back-breaking short-handed goal. They’re now 0-for-11 in five games since PP1 quarterback Adam Fox went down with an upper-body injury.

So, the Rangers made a “number of adjustments” to the top unit at practice Friday, in Sullivan’s words. But the one thing that didn’t change was the five-forward personnel. Alexis Lafreniere moved to the bumper spot, and Mika Zibanejad replaced Artemi Panarin up top to fill Fox’s usual role. Panarin moved to the flank, and J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck continued to round out the top unit.

So, again, no defenseman manning the point. Why’s that, coach?

“Because we think they’re the best five guys right now to help us have success.”

Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov did quarterback the second power-play unit Friday. And Scott Morrow, the rookie defenseman who seemed most likely to join PP1 after the most recent game, appears to be the odd-man out completely. He skated as an extra, and it looks like Urho Vaakanainen replaces him in the lineup Saturday.

As for Zibanejad swapping places with Panarin?

“He’s a cerebral player. He sees the ice so well. He’s similar to ‘Bread’ in that regard,” Sullivan explained. “But I think Mika might add a little more defensive conscience back there. One of the things I’ve always admired about Mika is his willingness on both sides of the puck. I think that’s an important element on the power play, using five forwards.”

Sullivan also pointed to Zibanejad’s willingness to shoot more often, and to create rebound opportunities for his teammates.

“One of Mika’s strengths is that he can really pound the puck. He can really shoot it. Now that he’s up top, he can do the same thing from there, also,” Sullivan explained.

“Sometimes we want to pass the puck into the net. We need to create in different ways. We can create off the shot.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/matt-rempe-return-update-rangers

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers vs. Canadiens: Lineups, storylines to start 7 games in 11 days

Hopefully the New York Rangers rested up this past week, when they played one game in a five-day stretch. Because from now until the NHL holiday break, it’s Go Time. Beginning Saturday, when they host the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers schedule features a wicked stretch of seven games in 11 days.

Though it’s well-worn cliche, the Rangers (15-13-4) know now more than ever they must simply focus on what’s right in front of them, and not the busy bigger picture. So, that means trying to get back on the winning side of the ledger Saturday, amid a three-game winless skid (0-1-2).

The first two of those defeats, last weekend against the Colorado Avalanche and Vegas Golden Knights, were in overtime. And the Rangers deservedly picked up a point in each loss.

That wasn’t the case Wednesday, when the Rangers were shut out by the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0. Out-played and a step or two slow all night, the Rangers weren’t at all happy with their performance.

Saturday provides the next opportunity for the Rangers to re-set in this rollercoaster season.

“We didn’t have our best in Chicago, I think we all know that in this room,” veteran forward Conor Sheary said Friday after practice. “Come out [Saturday] with a little more energy and try to get a win on home ice.”

Rangers captain J.T. Miller was even more direct in his comments Friday.

“I know we’re going to bounce back. Every time we seem to have a lapse, we bounce back as a group,” Miller stated firmly. “I’m confident we’re going to be good on Saturday.”

They certainly must be on their toes and ready to skate against the speedy Canadiens (16-11-3), who are one point ahead of the Rangers (with two games in hand) in the tight Eastern Conference standings. The Rangers won the first head-to-head meeting with the Canadiens, rallying with three goals in the third period for a 4-3 road victory on Oct. 18.

After a 10-3-2 start this season, the Canadiens are 6-8-1 since Nov. 11. Montreal comes off a 4-2 road win at the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, when rookie goaltender Jacob Fowler made 36 saves to win his NHL debut.

3 storylines when Rangers host Canadiens​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

1. Gonna get scoring chances​

The Rangers are 29th in the League, averaging 2.56 goals scored. They’ve been shut out six times, five of those on home ice. But they should get plenty of chances to change that narrative on Saturday.

The high-flying Canadiens own a minus-10 goal differential, and their team GAA of 3.50 is tied for third worst in the NHL. They give up plenty of scoring chances and their goalies don;t exactly bail them out often enough. Montreal’s allowed four or more goals in 14 games, and at least six on five occasions.

Maybe Fowler is the tonic to cure Montreal’s goaltending ills. But the Rangers should see this is as a big opportunity to break out offensively, after totaling only four goals in their past three games

2. Centennial woes​

John Jones-Imagn Images

The Rangers celebrate “The New Garden” years (1967-91) on Saturday as part of their 100th NHL season. What they’d really like to celebrate is an actual victory in their sharp Centennial sweaters. The Rangers lost their first five games wearing the good-looking threads this season, and scored just two goals total in those contests. That includes the shutout defeat Wednesday in Chicago.

Saturday marks their 646th regular-season game against the Canadiens. The Rangers are 207-337-7 with 94 ties all-time against the Canadiens. More relevant, they have points in their past eight games (6-0-2) against the Habs.

New York is 3-2-1 against Original 6 foes this season. Montreal is 4-2-0 in such games.

3. Milestone games​

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Igor Shesterkin joins a select group Saturday, when he becomes the eighth goalie in Rangers history to play 300 games for the franchise. An interesting note is that Shesterkin already has more career wins (174) than two of the goalies ahead of him on the Rangers games-played list — Chuck Rayner (377 games; 123 wins) and Dave Kerr 324 games; 157 wins). Of course, Kerr led the Rangers to a Stanley Cup championship in 1940, so there’s that.

Shesterkin’s allowed two goals or fewer 14 times this season, second most in the NHL. His 2.48 goals-against average is fourth best among goalies who’ve made at least 20 starts this season. And his 15.1 goals saved above expected is fifth most in the League, per MoneyPuck.

Rangers forward Will Cuylle plays his 200th NHL game Saturday. He’s played all 32 games this season, and missed just one game — as a healthy scratch — in his three full NHL campaigns. The 23-year-old is third on the Rangers with eight goals, and second with three power-play tallies. His 109 hits lead the Rangers and are fifth most in the NHL.

New York Rangers projected lineup​

Artemi Panarin — Mika Zibanejad — Alexis Lafreniere

J.T. Miller — Vincent Trocheck — Conor Sheary

Will Cuylle — Noah Laba — Brett Berard

Jaroslav Chmelar — Sam Carrick — Taylor Raddysh

Vladislav Gavrikov — Braden Schneider

Carson Soucy — Will Borgen

Urho Vaakanainen — Matthew Robertson

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

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

Who: New York Rangers vs. Montreal Canadiens

When: Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG

“One of the things that I’ve always been a strong believer in is I think your mindset going into a game goes a long way to set you up for success. You’ve got to bring the right mindset even before the puck is dropped, and I think that is important for us. I think we have to have the right mindset, the right intentions before the puck’s dropped, and that’s going to set us up for success and give us the opportunity to put the game on the ice that we want to put on the ice.

“Why can’t you have your A Game every night? That’s the human element of sports. We’re trying to navigate through this stuff.

“Again it’s the human element. There are things as a coaching staff you can predict, and there are other you can’t. I’d be lying if I told I could’ve predicted that one coming into this season. … I think the guys did a good job … we try to focus on the process. Let’s play the game the right way. Let’s stick to it. Let’s stay in the moment, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Let’s not dwell on the circumstance

“It’s a long season, it’s just the next game, doesn’t matter where it is for us. We’re not going to win every game on the road. We’re not going to lose every game at home. It all evens out over the course. We’ve been better [at home], we take pride in that arena.

“I’ve never done it before until this year. It’s new. It’s a hard position to play up there. I know Bread and Mika are trying to obviously learn it. Foxy is such a big piece of our power-play unit, little nuances in his game that help us so much. Just have to find a way to find a little better rhythm. i think these past couple games we’ve struggled with pressure a little bit … we’re just not executing as sharply. We’ve gotten a couple looks, that being said. But not up to our standard either.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...preview-lineups-storylines-start-busy-stretch

 

[New York Rangers]

Resilient Rangers rally to beat Canadiens 5-4 in overtime: Takeaways

The New York Rangers’ current captain sent 24 of their former players, including five ex-captains, and a sellout crowd of 18,006 on “The New Garden” night home happy after their most stirring win of the season.

J.T. Miller, named captain during training camp, scored his second goal of the game at 2:56 of overtime to cap New York’s comeback from a three-goal deficit and give the Blueshirts a 5-4 victory against the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

With Montreal’s Jake Evans off for slashing Artemi Panarin, Miller took a pass from Mika Zibanejad and got every ounce of a one-timer from the right circle, beating rookie Jacob Fowler for the win – something that looked impossible after the Canadiens led 3-0 entering the final two minutes of the first period.

“I was supposed to be in front of the net,” Miller confessed after scoring his 16th career overtime goal. But when Panarin went to the net instead, Miller flared back to the right circle to provide another option – and it paid off with the winning goal.

It was a huge rebound for the Rangers after a poor effort in a 3-0 road loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday — and a fitting tribute to the former Rangers on hand.

“It was good,” Alexis Lafreniere said of the performance after the loss in Chicago. “We tried to be a little more careful and play in their end.”

Recognizing the Rangers greats who made @TheGarden The World's Most Famous Arena pic.twitter.com/gxCDKwC2G6

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 14, 2025

The Rangers played one of their best shutdown stretches of the season in the first 12 minutes of the first period, holding the Canadiens without a shot on goal. Montreal finally got its first shot on goal at 12:41 – and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. Zach Bolduc set up in front of the net and tipped Nick Suzuki’s feed past a defenseless Igor Shesterkin.

The Canadiens’ second shot also went in, with Arber Xhekaj getting to the front of the net and deflecting Alexandre Carrier’s shot past a screened Shesterkin at 14:10. Evans further silenced the Garden crowd at 16:18, beating Shesterkin from inside the left circle after the Rangers were outworked in their own zone.

But a goal from an unlikely source – the struggling power play – got the Rangers back in the game. Noah Laba went to the net, picked up a loose puck after Will Cuylle cut in front, and popped his own rebound past Fowler, making his second NHL start, at 18:49 to make it 3-1.

Panarin cut it to 3-2 just 19 seconds later when he scored on a penalty shot after being hooked by defenseman Noah Dobson. The Rangers’ leading scorer fired back to his left while going right against Fowler, cutting Montreal’s lead to 3-2.

Artemi Panarin converts pic.twitter.com/8jrdQ8csqR

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 14, 2025

“I was panicked, to be honest. Everyone in the rink (was) excited, too,” Panarin said of the first penalty-shot goal of his career and the first by the Rangers against Montreal since Camille Henry on March 8, 1958. “The ice was not the best in the last minute. I’m glad I scored.”

It was the first penalty-shot goal by a Ranger since Dan Boyle scored on Dec. 9, 2015, and ended a streak of 11 straight misses.

The Canadiens quieted the crowd again 3:17 into the second period, making it 4-2 when Josh Anderson beat Shesterkin on a one-timer from the slot after a terrific pass by Lane Hutson, the reigning Calder Trophy winner. But the Blueshirts got even with two goals in 35 seconds before the eight-minute mark.

Cuylle made it 4-3 at 7:22 when his feed through the crease hit Huston and went past Fowler. Miller tied it 4-4 at 7:57, picking up the rebound of Matthew Robertson’s shot and deking Fowler before sliding the puck between the rookie goalie’s legs.

The Garden erupted 5:51 into the third period when Sam Carrick appeared to score the go-ahead goal off a scramble. But a quick video review showed that the veteran center kicked the puck into the net, and the goal was waved off. There was plenty of physicality during the remainder of regulation, but no goals.

The Rangers will have Sunday off to regroup before beginning a week that will see them play five times in seven days, beginning with the return of former Blueshirt Chris Kreider to MSG when the Anaheim Ducks visit on Monday.

Key takeaways after the Rangers’ 5-4 OT win against Montreal​

Miller time​

THE CAPTAIN UNLOADS ONE FOR THE WIN pic.twitter.com/5iOPEoOBPm

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) December 14, 2025

This is the version of J.T Miller the Rangers thought they were getting when they acquired him from the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31.

Miller scored the tying goal by bulling his way to the net, picking up a rebound and getting Fowler to open his pads before sliding the puck into the net. The game-winner was pure power – a blast off the feed from Zibanejad that Fowler had no chance on.

“We have to find ways to win every single way,” he said.

The captain was also pleased at the way the Rangers showed the resilience to come back after falling behind by three goals on the heels of the poor effort in Chicago.

“I think we did a good job of staying mentally tough and in the moment,” he said. “Present, worried about the next shift and (we) really turned the tide on them. They defended a lot of the night, I felt like. When we play like that, it’s the same speech every game — I think we’re a lot to handle.”

A comeback to remember​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

The Rangers won a game in which they trailed by three goals for the first time in nearly two years; they beat the New York Islanders 6-5 in overtime after trailing 4-1 in the second period of their NHL Stadium Series game on Feb. 18, 2024, at Met Life Stadium.

Coach Mike Sullivan said even when his team was down three goals, he didn’t think they were playing badly.

“We were on our toes,” he said. “We had a couple of breakdowns that ended up in the back of our net, but I didn’t think we were playing badly. We held them without a shot for almost 13 minutes.”

He said there was no thought of pulling Shesterkin and just wanted to make sure that his players didn’t get down on themselves.

“There was a lot of hockey left — that’s what we talked about on the bench,” he said. “That’s what we talked about in between periods, ‘Let’s not get overwhelmed here. Let’s just keep playing, keep playing the game. Let’s work for the next goal.’ And that’s what they did.”

Power play comes alive​

Sullivan stuck with the five-forward system he’s used on the first power-play unit since defenseman Adam Fox was injured two weeks ago. But it was the second unit that produced the Rangers’ first extra-man goal since Nov. 28. Laba went to the net and banged in his own rebound to get the Rangers on the board.

The overtime power-play goal was scored at 4-on-3, but the four players on the ice — Miller, Zibanejad, Vincent Trocheck and Panarin — are all part of PP1.

Seeing his power play go 2-for-2 after firing blanks in five straight games has to make Sullivan feel better as the Rangers head into their toughest week of the season. The power play could be especially important against the Ducks, who’ve allowed 27 PPGs, tied for the second-most in the NHL.

Kreider’s return with Ducks takes center stage​

Corinne Votaw-Imagn Images

There will be a familiar face wearing No. 20 when the Rangers host the Ducks on Monday — but he’ll be wearing orange and white rather than a Blueshirt.

GM Chris Drury traded Kreider to the Ducks in June after arguably the worst season of his career — he finished with 22 goals and 30 points after three straight seasons with at least 36 goals while battling injuries and illness.

The third-leading goal-scorer in Rangers history (326 goals) is off to a fast start with his new team, He’s scored 13 goals and has 21 points in 28 games for Anaheim, which is second in the Pacific Division and trying to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.

Kreider tried to play down his return to the Garden, referring to it on Thursday as a “business trip.”

But it’s hard to imagine he won’t at least a little emotional after the requisite a video tribute from the Rangers and a big welcome from the Garden fans he played for.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rally-to-beat-canadiens-in-ot-takeaways

 

[New York Rangers]

Noah Laba, Matthew Robertson among unsung heroes in latest Rangers win

There’s no question that the New York Rangers’ 5-4 overtime win Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens was due in large part to their best players coming up big in clutch situations. But don’t discount the contributions from a string of unsung heroes, who helped the Rangers rally from 3-0 and 4-2 deficits in this signature victory.

For sure, the Rangers don’t win without J.T. Miller’s two goals, including the OT winner when Mika Zibanejad dished out the primary assist. Vincent Trocheck also assisted on the game-winner and led all skaters with six hits. And, of course, Artemi Panarin scoring a penalty-shot goal late in the first period to pull New York within 3-2 was massive. As was the overall performance of defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, who logged nearly 28 minutes of ice time as force on each side of the puck.

Artemi Panarin converts pic.twitter.com/8jrdQ8csqR

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 14, 2025

The top line of Panarin, Zibanejad, and Alexis Lafreniere held a huge 15-2 advantage in scoring chances 5v5 (10-0 in high-danger opportunities), and had a whopping 81.24 percent expected goal share, per Natural Stat Trick.

And Miller was the obvious choice as the No. 1 Star of the Game, after he scored to tie the game 4-4 and the drilled a power-play one-timer to win it in overtime.

WON IT WITH A ONE-TIMER pic.twitter.com/Txlu3Pt7qR

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 14, 2025

“I thought he had a really strong game tonight, obviously,” coach Mike Sullivan said postgame about the Rangers captain. “The two goals he scored are prototypical J.T. Miller hockey. One’s at the blue paint, he plays his power game. And the overtime winner is, that one-timer is a missile. That’s a goal scorer’s goal, and that’s what he’s capable of.”

So, their best players led the way on this rollicking night at Madison Square Garden.

Rangers unsung heroes include two rookies and star goalie Igor Shesterkin​

But let’s not overlook rookie center Noah Laba. The 22-year-old went hard to the net to score a greasy goal on a rebound to get the Rangers on the board at 18:49 of the first period after the Canadiens surged with more than a dose of good fortune to a 3-0 lead.

Labs off the rebound pic.twitter.com/ZcuCO92f6C

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 14, 2025

Nineteen seconds later, Panarin scored on a penalty shot and 3-0 became 3-2. But it’s Laba who started the comeback. And he did so on the second power-play unit, after the five-forward PP1 group failed to score.

Laba later assisted on Will Cuylle’s goal 7:22 of the second period to get the Rangers within 4-3. It was the second two-point game of his rookie season. He also won six of eight face-offs and was credited with five hits.

Though outscored 2-1, that third line of Laba, Cuylle, and Brett Berard had an xGF of 76.55 percent 5v5.

“Cuylle’s a young guy (23 years old), but he’s got some experience — today was his 200th game — so he’s got experience, he hits, plays North. And then Brett brings a ton of energy, super fast, able to make a ton of plays out there,” Laba explained after the win. “Playing with them is real easy.”

Rookie defenseman Matthew Robertson notched the first multi-point game in the NHL, earning primary assists on Cuylle’s goal and Miller’s game-tying tally. Robertson logged 20:32 TOI, a career high, had 10 shot attempts, and recorded three shots on goal.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Veteran forward Conor Sheary chipped in a pair of assists for his first multi-point game of the season.

And how about Igor Shesterkin? Of course, the Rangers goalie is, perhaps, their biggest star. But he allowed goals on the first two shots he faced Saturday, three in a first-period span of 3:37. However, it can’t be overlooked how Shesterkin remained mentally strong, allowed one goal the rest of the way, and gave the Rangers a chance to win.

“I didn’t feel like any of the goals scored were bad goals. They were a little bit fluky how some of them went in,” Sullivan said. “I never got the feeling behind the bench that Jeez, this wasn’t Shesty’s night, or that he didn’t have it. … I thought he was locked in.

“I know he takes a lot of pride in keeping the puck out of the net, and when they go in like that sometimes that can get the best of you. But he did a terrific job of just staying focused, being ready to make that next save for us.”

Even one of their stars found a way to be an unsung Rangers hero Saturday night at MSG.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-overtime-victory-unsung-heroes

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers vs. Ducks: Lineups, storylines when Kreider, Trouba return to MSG

There’s no escaping the fact that it’s going to be an emotional night Monday at Madison Square Garden, when the New York Rangers host the Anaheim Ducks,

That’s because Chris Kreider, one of the most popular players of this current Rangers era, returns to MSG for the first time since being traded to the Ducks this past offseason. There’s sure to be an outpouring of love for Kreider, who’s third in Rangers history with 326 goals, first with 48 goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and tied for first with 116 power-play goals.

As for a bit of revenge or extra motivation on Kreider’s part, don’t expect him to admit to anything, based on his comments to The Athletic last week.

“I don’t think that’s something that you can use consistently,” the 34-year-old forward explained. “I think that ends up being more of an energy sap. I’m intrinsically motivated. I don’t need anyone else to push me. That daily process, that daily mission — I know what I want to work on, what I want to accomplish. I think all the other stuff is just noise.”

Perhaps that’s so. But Kreider played 883 regular-season games over 13 seasons with the Rangers, and there’s a good chance his No. 20 gets raised to the MSG rafters one day after his career is over. He helped the Rangers reach the 2014 Stanley Cup Final, win the Presidents’ Trophy twice, and play in the Eastern Conference Final five times.

That video tribute Monday will bring cheers and a standing ovation from the Rangers Faithful. And more than a few tears from fans, and perhaps Kreider, too.

If all that’s not enough, it’s also Jacob Trouba’s first return to The Garden since the Rangers traded the 28th captain in franchise history to the Ducks on Dec. 6, 2024. He’s not nearly as beloved as Kreider, but the Trouba Train running through MSG again should elicit powerful memories, as well.

So, you’ve got the makings of a must-see event.

Plus, this should be a real good hockey game. The Rangers (16-13-4) come off a thrilling gut-check victory over the Montreal Canadiens, winning 5-4 in overtime Saturday after rallying from down 3-0 and 4-2. The Rangers earned points in eight of their past 10 games (6-2-2), including each of their past four home contests (2-0-2).

The Ducks (19-12-1) are second in the Pacific Division, and among the biggest surprises in the NHL this season. However, they lost two straight, including 4-1 at the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, and are 8-9-0 since Nov. 11.

In their past 12 games against the Ducks, the Rangers have a 9-1-2 record. The Rangers are on a 10-game home-winning streak against the Ducks at MSG.

3 storylines when Rangers host Ducks​

John Jones-Imagn Images

1. Setting friendship aside​

An intriguing subplot to this one is how Kreider and his best friend on the Rangers, Mika Zibanejad, fare going head-to-head against one another. The longtime linemates are very close, with Zibanejad serving as Kreider’s best man in his wedding in 2023. Each is a proud athlete and competitor, as well, so this should be a doozy if each pushes the other on the ice Monday.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

After struggles on and off the ice for each last season, Kreider and Zibanejad are back in top form in 2025-26. Kreider is third on the Ducks with 13 goals, and his six power-play tallies not only lead them, but are tied with Zibanejad for 10th most in the NHL.

Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 11 goals, and is third with 25 points. The 32-year-old set up J.T. Miller’s overtime winner against the Canadiens and has points in eight of his past nine games (three goals, six points). He also owns the Ducks, with points in 10 of his past 11 games against them (nine goals, eight assists).

2. It’s not just Kreider ​

The Ducks are second in the NHL, averaging 3.44 goals per game. Kreider’s a big part of the explosive Ducks core, one that features some of the best young talent in the NHL.

Forward Leo Carlsson, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has 40 points (17 goals, 23 assists) in 32 games, tied for 10th in the NHL scoring race. Teammates Cutter Gauthier (16 goals, 18 assists) and Troy Terry (10 goals, 24 assists) each have 34 points, giving the Ducks three players with more points than the Rangers leading scorer, Artemi Panarin (33 points; 11 goals, 12 assists).

Scoring goals isn’t an issue for the Ducks, but keeping the puck out of their own net is. Anaheim is 25th in the League with a team 3.34 goals-against average.

3. Power Ranger​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan simply gushed about Miller following the big win Saturday. Miller scored the tying and winning goals, including his second OT goal this season. And Sullivan loved how each was scored.

“The two goals he scored are prototypical J.T. Miller hockey. One’s at the blue paint, he plays his power game. And the overtime winner is, that one-timer is a missile. That’s a goal scorer’s goal, and that’s what he’s capable of,” Sullivan said postgame.

Miller arrived back on Broadway last season in a trade with the Vancouver Canucks, nearly eight weeks after the Rangers dealt Trouba to the Ducks. So, they weren’t Blueshirt teammates. But they’re forever linked since Miller became the 29th captain in Rangers history at the start of this season, replacing Trouba.

Miller now has nine goals and 20 points in 32 games this season. Trouba’s excelled with the Ducks as a top-pair defenseman, and has 14 points (five goals, nine assists), averaging 22:02 TOI in 32 games.

New York Rangers projected lineup​

Artemi Panarin — Mika Zibanejad — Alexis Lafreniere

J.T. Miller — Vincent Trocheck — Conor Sheary

Will Cuylle — Noah Laba — Brett Berard

Jaroslav Chmelar — Sam Carrick — Taylor Raddysh

Vladislav Gavrikov — Braden Schneider

Carson Soucy — Will Borgen

Urho Vaakanainen — Matthew Robertson

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

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

Who: New York Rangers vs. Anaheim Ducks

When: Monday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/rangers-ducks-preview-kreider-trouba

 

[New York Rangers]

Ex-Rangers Kreider, Trouba ready for return to ‘amazing building’ with Ducks

Chris Kreider’s 13 seasons with the New York Rangers never involved dealing with which door the visiting team at Madison Square Garden uses to get on the ice. That’s why he needed directions when his new team, the Anaheim Ducks, hit the ice for their morning skate prior to their game against the Blueshirts on Monday night.

“No,” he told the assembled media when asked if he’d ever been in the visitors’ locker room, then nodded when asked if he needed to be shown the door the visitors use to take the ice at the Garden.

Kreider’s 912th NHL game will be the first at MSG as a member of the visiting team. The Rangers traded him to Anaheim in June for forward prospect Carey Terrance and a swap of draft picks.

Chris Kreider, ladies and gentlemen. Wearing orange. pic.twitter.com/B2KFaoPiJs

— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) December 15, 2025

He’s not sure how emotional it will be to step on the Garden ice wearing another team’s sweater for the first time.

“I don’t know,” he said. “Trying to go on with no expectations and just get ready to play a hockey game. But it’s a passionate fan base. It’s a place that I’ve spent the majority of my life, so I’m sure it’ll be emotional for me. To what extent, I don’t know. I’m just trying to worry about the here and the now.”

One thing that has helped him adapt to his new surroundings is the presence of three former teammates – forwards Frank Vatrano, center Ryan Strome and defenseman Jacob Trouba. The Rangers traded Trouba to Anaheim last December; he’s also making his first visit to the Garden since the deal.

“It’s made the transition easier,” he said. “Having Jacob there, having Frank, Stromer – that familiarity certainly helps. The entire group’s been great.”

Ex-Rangers Kreider, Trouba ready for return to ‘amazing building’​

Kreider’s 326 goals are third in Rangers history; his 48 playoff goals are first and he’s tied for the franchise record with 116 power-play goals. But the Rangers let him go after he dropped to 22 goals and 30 goals last season while battling injuries and illness.

But Kreider is healthy this year, and his scoring touch has returned. The 34-year-old has 13 goals and 20 points in 28 games for Anaheim, which is second in the Pacific Division and trying to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.

“It’s great to be truly healthy,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the fans who supported him during his 13 seasons in New York.

Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

“I think it’s hard to express my appreciation for all the support we had over all those years, over all those runs,” he said. “It’s an amazing building; it’s the most famous building in the world, right? But it’s a building. The fans are what makes it a special place. Just being out there this morning, pregame skating on that ice, it’s cool.

“But it’s an empty building; at the end of the day, it’s the fans that make it what it is. It’s hard to put into words my gratitude and appreciation for the support and the passion over all those years.”

The Rangers undoubtedly will give Kreider a video tribute, and he can expect an ovation from the fans who cheered him on in New York.

So, will he watch the video?

“I don’t know how the angle is from that (visitors) bench; probably. What am I going to do – stare at my shoes,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t know. I’ll let you know after it happens.”

Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The Rangers kept Kreider in the loop after deciding to trade him. Trouba’s departure wasn’t as amicable, but he said Monday that he preferred to think of the good times with the Blueshirts rather than his departure.

“I didn’t enjoy it in the moment, but it’s just a small piece of what was a very, very memorable and impactful 5 1/2 years for me,” he said. “That’s not the moment I focus on.”

Trouba faced his former team in Anaheim on March 28, when the Ducks rallied for a 5-4 win. But this is his first visit to the arena he called home for five-plus seasons.

“You don’t know exactly how you’re going to feel,” he said of coming back to the Garden. “It was pretty good for me. I went downtown, back by my apartment, last night and walked around. That one got me a little bit. It’ll be fun being back here tonight.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/kreider-trouba-return-to-msg-with-ducks

 

[New York Rangers]

‘A little weird’: Kreider, Trouba honored by Rangers in return to Garden

Chris Kreider left the Madison Square Garden ice high-fiving his teammates after a win Monday night. There was nothing unusual about that — except for the fact that he wasn’t wearing a New York Rangers uniform as he did it.

Kreider and his Anaheim Ducks teammates — including former Rangers Jacob Trouba, Frank Vatrano and Ryan Strome — left the Garden with a solid 4-1 victory. Kreider didn’t hit the score sheet, but Trouba, who was traded to the Ducks last December, started the play that led to the game’s first goal, a shorthanded tally by Jackson Lacombe at 7:18 of the second period.

That came after Kreider was honored for his 13 seasons on Broadway with a video tribute during the first media timeout in the opening period, as well as a standing ovation not only from the sellout crowd of 18,006 but also from his former teammates.

Kreider said playing against the Rangers was “a little weird. It took me a couple of shifts to remember the guys in blue weren’t my teammates.”

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Though Kreider said he didn’t see most of the video tribute because coach Joel Quenneville was talking strategy, he caught the end before taking a lap in front of the Ducks bench, waving his stick and patting his heart to the crowd while trying to control his emotions.

“What I did see was awesome,” he said. “Just really grateful for the experience. It was certainly a warm welcome back. That was incredible. Really, really, really cool moment.

“It’s hard to put into words what the experience was like for 13 years, what that experience was like tonight. I don’t know. It kind of leaves you speechless.”

A few minutes later, it was Trouba’s turn.

Unlike Kreider, the Rangers’ former captain faced his former teammates on March 28 in Anaheim after being dealt to the Ducks just over a year ago. He received his own video tribute and a warm ovation.

“Means a lot to me,” he said of The Garden and the fans who cheered him there, “and this place will always be special.”

After the game, Kreider and Trouba shared the “Bombay Jacket,” Anaheim’s version of The Broadway Hat.

For the first time ever, the Bombay Jacket is being shared!!#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/KKOq2m5wKJ

— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 16, 2025

Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba get huge welcome in return to Garden​

Those teammates were very aware that this was no ordinary game – something that was apparent when all four ex-Rangers took the ice for the opening face-off.

“That was a cool move by coach,” Kreider said. “It’s a fun building to play in, even as an opponent.”

The Ducks were very conscious of wanting to win one for Kreider and Trouba.

“We said before the game that we’ve got to play for these guys,” said Anaheim goalie Lukas Dostal, who made 26 saves and was sharp all night.

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Kreider and the Ducks left MSG with the win after Cutter Gauthier broke a 1-1 tie with a power-play goal 5:51 into the third period, then hit the empty net with 22 seconds left to ice the win. He slapped gloves with his teammates and received the game puck as a souvenir of his first MSG victory as a visiting player after 13 seasons with the Rangers.

“It’s hard to put into words what the experience was like,” he said after the game. “Kind of leaves you speechless, I guess.

“Maybe next time it’ll feel a little more normal. I had a little adrenaline dump in the first period, a little bit of tunnel vision and nerves like my first game here in New York.”

One ex-teammate Kreider didn’t face on the ice was one of his best buddies, center Mika Zibanejad, who was scratched for the game after missing a meeting. Zibanejad was on hand for the game and was seen catching up with his old teammate in the hallway after the game.

The fans in New York welcome back Chris Kreider, who played 13 seasons with the @NYRangers, in his return to the world's most famous arena. pic.twitter.com/hWHVHi4AnK

— NHL (@NHL) December 16, 2025

Kreider’s 326 goals are third in Rangers history; his 48 playoff goals are first and he’s tied for the franchise record with 116 power-play goals. But the Rangers let him go after he dropped to 22 goals and 30 goals last season while battling injuries and illness.

However, Kreider is healthy this year, and his scoring touch has returned. The 34-year-old has 13 goals and 20 points in 29 games for Anaheim, which is second in the Pacific Division and trying to qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2017-18.

Chris Kreider gets his tribute video and takes a lap to salute the MSG faithful pic.twitter.com/tDR0ukGFIA

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) December 16, 2025

“It’s great to be truly healthy,” he said after the morning skate.

Rangers forward Matt Rempe, who returned to the lineup after missing 24 games with a broken thumb, was happy that his comeback coincided with the return of two former teammates.

“It was real cool,” he said. “Both of those guys were really good mentors to me and awesome teammates. It was great seeing them.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/kreider-trouba-honored-in-return-to-garden

 

[New York Rangers]

Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Brennan Othmann Finds Scoring Touch

The Hartford Wolf Pack are trending in the wrong direction, after they lost three of their past four games.

Last week featured mixed results. The New York Rangers AHL affiilliate was shut out for the second time this season, when they lost 3-0 to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday. Hartford responded with a 2-1 win over Utica on Friday. But unable to carry that momentum forward, the Wolf Pack dropped a 7-2 decision to Syracuse on Saturday, allowing a season high in goals against (the previous high was six against Bridgeport on Dec. 6).

The Wolf Pack are tied for sixth (9-12-4-0, 22 points) with Bridgeport in the Atlantic Division. They play two games this week before heading into AHL holiday break.

Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes​

Brennan Othmann Finds Scoring Touch​

Third-year pro Brennan Othmann is heating up for the Wolf Pack. After slow start and mired in a scoring drought prior to his first goal this season on Nov. 26, Othmann has four goals in his past seven games, including on consecutive nights last weekend.

The 22-year-old forward scored Hartford’s first short-handed goal of the season Friday, after netting his first power-play goal on Dec. 6.

Ottsy snipe on the PK pic.twitter.com/ztnTM0h9m3

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 13, 2025

It’s been a rough season for the 2021 first-round pick. Othmann struggled during the preseason when there was an NHL job to be won in New York. And his play in the AHL hasn’t cut it.

Not surprisingly, there are many Othamnn trade rumors out there. But he remains a key cog for the Wolf Pack. His 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 19 games are tied for seventh on the team with Bryce McConnell-Barker. Hartford needs steady production from Othmann, who recorded 20 points (12 goals, eight assists) in 27 games for them last season 2024-25, and was second on the Wolf Pack with 21 goals in 2023-24.

TIC-TAC-GOAL pic.twitter.com/DZdj3Xr4zg

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 14, 2025

Adam Sýkora Providing Strong Two-Way Play​

Adam Sýkora continues to provide a reliable game at both ends of the ice for Hartford. The second-round pick (No. 63 overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft by the Rangers has five goals through 25 games, and is on pace to surpass his professional career high of nine set last season. More importantly, he continues to be a trusted forward defensively.

Syky turned on the jets for this one pic.twitter.com/T38pcgpigY

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 13, 2025

The 21-year-old is a force on the penalty kill. He scored a short-handed goal this past weekend, and is smart, disruptive player defensively. At even strength, Sýkora is reliable and adept at forcing turnovers, helping Hartford in its transition game.

He’s also more physical this season, despite being somewhat undersized (5-foot-10, 179 pounds). Sykora does not back down from opponents and has shows plenty of feistiness in his game.

His potential fit in the NHL clearly is in a bottom-six role, though he needs to add some size before the Rangers give serious thought to recalling him.

Roster Updates​

• Center Justin Dowling is day to day with an upper-body injury. He left in the first period of the game Friday and did not return.
• Hartford called up forward Kyle Jackson from Bloomington of the ECHL on Monday. Jackson appeared in 23 games with the Bison, recording a team-high 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists), second most in the league.

Upcoming Games​

All games can be viewed on AHLTV and heard on Mixlr.

Friday, December 19 vs Syracuse Crunch (Lightning) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena​

• This is the second and final meeting in the season series. Hartford lost the first game, 7-2 on Dec. 13.
• Syracuse is 15-9-1-0 (31 points), tied for second in the North Division (with Rochester) and tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference (with Rochester).
• Jakob Pelletier leads the Crunch with 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) and is tied for the AHL scoring lead. Next on the Crunch is Nick Abruzzese with 24 points (six goals, 18 assists), who is tied for 13th in the league’s scoring race.

Saturday, December 20 vs Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Flyers) at 7:05pm, PPL Center​

• This is the fourth of six meetings in the season series. Hartford is 0-1-2-0 against Lehigh Valley.
• Lehigh Valley is 13-9-1-2 (29 points), third in the Atlantic Division and sixth in the Eastern Conference.
• Alex Bump leads the Phantoms with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists). Next is Anthony Richard with 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists).

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...wolf-pack-brennan-othmann-finds-scoring-touch

 

[New York Rangers]

‘Same thing every game’: Rangers seek answers after 6th home shutout loss

Perhaps the biggest cheer at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night came after the announcement that there was one minute remaining in what turned out to be a 3-0 loss by the New York Rangers to the Vancouver Canucks.

Before that, the Rangers spent most of the evening being booed during their sixth shutout defeat in 17 home games (4-10-3) – this one against the team that began the night last in the NHL standings. Despite allowing just 17 shots on goal and out-attempting the Canucks 60-34, the Rangers again came up empty – and were left frustrated.

“We feel good during the game, but right now it (stinks),” captain J.T. Miller said after New York dropped to 1-3-2 in its past six games overall. “This can’t be the standard we expect to play to. Go home tonight and feel we outplayed the other team. We didn’t score. To come up 0-2 this week at home, it (stinks). Same thing every game, it feels like.”

For the second straight night, the Rangers failed to turn opportunities into goals in front of their home fans. They had the better of play in a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday and did the same for much of the night against the Canucks – but have now scored one goal or fewer in 13 of their 35 games this season – including 10 of 17 at The Garden.

Coach Mike Sullivan’s concern about the Rangers’ offensive struggles continues to grow.

“If I had the solution, we would certainly bring it,” he said postgame. “We’re doing our best to control the process, because that’s really, at the end of the day, what’s within our control. I thought we defended hard tonight. They had a few looks. Their first goal was a little unfortunate. After that, they had a few looks, but not a lot.

“I thought we defended hard. I thought we controlled territory. We had a significant amount of O-zone time. The power play had a lot of good looks. So, I feel like we’re trying to solve it, for sure. But is it a little bit concerning at this point? Yeah.”

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Adam Fox-less power play continued to produce nothing but short-handed goals for the other team. Conor Garland’s empty-netter was the third short-handed goal the Rangers allowed since Sullivan opted for a five-forward first unit after Fox went down with a left arm injury on Nov. 29 and landed on long-term injured reserve soon after.

The Rangers were 0-for-4 with the extra man against Vancouver, and the five-forward group hasn’t scored on 21 power plays in the seven games since the injury to Fox.

“I thought we did a better job today,” said center Mika Zibanejad, one of the five-forward PP1 unit. “I would say it’s a good job if we score and we win. A better job of creating chances. We’ve got to find a way to get a few for us.”

Rangers look for goals, answers after shutout loss to Canucks​

One challenge for Sullivan and his players continues to be keeping morale up on a team that struggles to put the puck in the net, especially at home.

“We can score goals,” said Zibanejad, who returned after being scratched Monday for missing a team meeting. “How many games have we played on the road that we’ve shown that we can score? I’d be more worried if it’s all through the season. I don’t know what else to say. I just wish we scored more goals.

“We have to find a way to add on to what we did today and maybe be a little bit more desperate and more resilient in front of their net and force that puck to go in. That’s what I see from tonight’s game.”

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

To Miller, the answer is just to work harder.

“Bear down,” he said. “Like myself, I had chance after chance, I feel like. It’s just not enough. It’s not enough to my standard, it’s not enough to the team’s standard to just play well, outplay the other team and not bury your chances. We deserve better a lot of these nights, but that being said we’re not bearing down and the other teams are. We’re kind of stuck. Win three, lose a couple, win three, and we are where we are. It’s very frustrating.

“I’m just (angry). You feel like you work so hard and you make a lot of plays and a lot of nights, I feel like we’re outplaying the other team, and we end up in here (angry) because we didn’t score enough goals. It’s a fine line.”

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

It’s a problem that the Rangers must solve soon. They continue a brutal stretch of seven games in 11 days before the Christmas break when they visit the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night, followed by a home game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday afternoon and visits to the Nashville Predators on Sunday and Washington Capitals on Tuesday.

The Rangers (16-15-4) played more games than anyone else in the 16-team Eastern Conference and are 15th in points percentage (.514). They must solve their problems soon or risk missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs a second straight season.

“It’s tight in the standings, and the points really matter,” Zibanejad said. “We have to start winning games, especially at home.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/jt-miller-rangers-seek-goal-solutions

 

[New York Rangers]

What’s next for Rangers after top 2 prospects called up from minors

The day after suffering their seventh shutout loss of the season, the New York Rangers recalled Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann from Hartford of the American Hockey League in hopes that their top two forward prospects can pump some life into an anemic offense.

Each is a past first-round pick by the Rangers and is known for his offensive skill set. Perreault, selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, leads Hartford with 10 goals and 17 points in 20 games. The 20-year-old also picked up his first NHL point, an assist, during a three-game call-up in mid-November.

Othmann, a 2021 first-round pick, has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 19 games with Hartford this season; he was pointless in one game with the Rangers back on Oct. 26. The 22-year-old scored 21 goals with Hartford as a rookie pro in 2023-24 but has yet to score a goal in 26 NHL games over parts of three seasons.

However, Othmann’s playing his best hockey of the season right now. He scored three goals in his past four AHL games and has five points (four goals, one assist) in his past seven contests with Hartford. This comes after a slow start led to a slew of Othmann trade rumors.

Perreault was AHL Player of the Week for the week ending Nov. 2 and largely played well in his first pro season, after two outstanding seasons at Boston College. However, his production dried up recently — Perreault was pointless and minus-7 in his past four games with Hartford.

UPDATE: #NYR has recalled forwards Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann from the Hartford Wolf Pack.

Additionally, the Rangers have assigned forwards Brett Berard and Jaroslav Chmelař to the Wolf Pack. pic.twitter.com/AbsxO7uyFK

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) December 17, 2025

To make room on the active roster, the Rangers assigned forwards Brett Berard and Jaroslav Chmelar to Hartford. Berard was without a point in 11 games, mainly playing on the third line, where he averaged 10:59 TOI. Chmelar averaged 7:51 TOI in six games on the fourth line. He didn’t record a point and totaled seven penalty minutes.

What’s next for Rangers after calling up Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann​

Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Why Rangers called up two rookies at same time​

The Rangers are 30th out of 32 NHL teams in scoring, averaging 2.51 goals per game. They’ve been shut out in 20 percent of their games (seven times in 35 games) and held to one goal or fewer 13 times, after a 3-0 loss to the last-overall Vancouver Canucks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.

New York’s power play is a mess, especially without injured defenseman Adam Fox available to run point the past seven games. The Rangers are 20th in the NHL on the power play, converting at 18.3 percent.

The Rangers need a pretty drastic change to shake them out of their doldrums. Thus, even though coach Mike Sullivan has reservations about each youngster plays defensively, their offensive upside is too appealing right now.

Perhaps NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek explained it best when he discussed Perreault on the RINK RAP podcast last week.

“It’s interesting to see what’s going on with Gabe Perreault, because he’s playing real well in the American [Hockey] League,” Hradek told Forever Blueshirts. “I am someone who believes in letting guys ripen at the lesser levels, and so that’s probably a good thing that he’s getting that experience there. But that said, they need help at the NHL level, which is a problem. Maybe that injection of, as they say, that youthful enthusiasm and youthful talent to your mix up front would give them a little bit of a jump.”

Where Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othman fit in Rangers lineup​

Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

To paraphrase Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider, it’s time for Perreault and Othmann to put their big boy pants on. Or maybe a better way to phrase it is that Sullivan must let the rookies put their big boy pants on.

His concern about their readiness on the defensive side of the puck is valid. But unless one or both is so in over his head defensively, the coach must let the kids play and do what they do best. That starts with putting each in a position to do so, improving the chance for success.

Start with Perreault. Put him in the top-six forward group. He’s uber creative, thinks the offensive game at a high level and has the skills to make plays with the best players on the roster. Playing him with J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck is appealing, as is having him riding shotgun with Mika Zibanejad in some iteration. Or maybe with Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere? Or have him queue up Artemi Panarin?

Also, get the kid some power-play time. The idea of Perreault out there with more open ice is exciting.

Former @BC_MHockey star Gabe Perreault opens the scoring with the Rangers’ first goal of the preseason pic.twitter.com/pUp3H9uzJB

— Game Notes (@GameNotesBud) September 21, 2025

As for Othmann, his confidence should be at its highest level this season right now. So, tap into that. No fourth-line duty please. A third line of Othmann, Noah Laba, and Will Cuylle? That’s intriguing, since each plays a North-South style and is physical. A top-six role for Othmann? There’s absolutely a case for that — just not at the expense of Perreault getting that shot.

Would the Rangers move Lafreniere into a third-line role to get Othmann and Perreault into the top six? Unlikely. Lafreniere continues to drive play and his analytics are always good, but he’s got one goal in nine games and seven all season. So, there’s an argument to be made here. But it just feels like Sullivan’s not going to do anything that drastic with Lafreniere or his top-six group.

brennan othmann with the shorty pic.twitter.com/kuOHovbQ0O

— hope (@nohopeleague) December 13, 2025

Odd men out​

The obvious odd men out are Berard and Chmelar. Berard did bring energy to the lineup, playing 11 straight games after his recall before he was a he was a healthy scratch against the Canucks. But unlike last season, when he scored six goals and totaled 10 points in 35 games on Broadway, Berard barely sniffed the score sheet this time around. With Perreault and Othmann in New York, Berard should get quality top-line minutes on the wing in Hartford, which certainly can’t hurt.

Chmelar didn’t look out of place in a limited fourth-line role with the Rangers. But there’s no room for the rugged 22-year-old with Matt Rempe back in the lineup and Taylor Raddysh available to play on the fourth line.

Conor Sheary works hard and plays a committed 200-foot game. But he simply can’t score. He’s got one goal in 32 games and logged far too many minutes in the top six. The 33-year-old two-time Stanley Cup winner is a bottom-six forward at this stage of his career — and likely ends up a healthy scratch Thursday, when the Rangers visit the St. Louis Blues.

Jonny Brodzinski remains an extra forward, trusted to play up and down the lineup as needed. Assuming no one gets hurt, and Perreault and Othmann play well enough to remain in the lineup, Brodzinski remains in the press box for the foreseeable future.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...-gabe-perreault-brennan-othmann-boost-scoring

 

[New York Rangers]

Towering Rangers prospect Nathan Aspinall having breakout OHL season

Nathan Aspinall is used to standing above most everyone else. That comes with being 6-foot-7, even before the New York Rangers prospect puts his skates on.

But right now, the 19-year-old forward also stands above everyone else in the Ontario Hockey League, leading the OHL in scoring with 48 points (22 goals, 26 assists) in 30 games for the Flint Firebirds.

This is most definitely a breakout campaign for Aspinall, whom the Rangers selected in the fifth round (No. 159 overall) of the 2024 NHL. Draft. He’s had at least one point in all but five games this season, and his recent 13-game point streak ended Saturday in a 3-2 loss to Sarnia.

Aspinall already surpassed his previous OHL best of 47 points, set in 62 games last season. His 22 goals are second in the OHL and four more than his previous career high of 18 set in 2023-24 with Flint.

The big man continued his big season

Nathan Aspinall currently leads the #OHL in points with 48 as he scored last night to extend his point streak to 13 games!@FlintFirebirds | #NYR pic.twitter.com/gl6wzHD6SH

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 13, 2025

Flint (22-7-2-2) sits atop the Western Conference in the OHL with 48 points, due in large part to Aspinall’s major uptick in production and leadership as team captain. He had a career-high five points and recorded his first OHL hat trick in a 9-1 rout of Guelph on Dec. 10.

A first for the captain of the Firebirds

The @FlintFirebirds has his first career #OHL hat-trick with three big-time goals.@FloHockey | #NYR pic.twitter.com/JylKgmvbvH

— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) December 11, 2025

In his fourth season of major junior hockey, the towering forward acted on the advice to shoot more, and averages 4.25 shots on goal per game this season. Improvements to the power and accuracy of his shot, especially shooting the puck in stride, helped Aspinall immensely in his breakout season. His fast start was recognized when he won OHL Player of the Month honors for November.

After playing five games with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League on an amateur tryout at the end of last season, Aspinall took part in training camp with the Rangers this fall. Aspinall opened some eyes when he fought rugged forward Nathan Legare in the preseason opener against the New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers signed Aspinall to a three-year, entry-level contract in October. He’s expected to rejoin Hartford once his season with Flint is over.

Rangers prospect Artem Gonchar also playing well in OHL​

Artem Gonchar is another Rangers prospect playing well in the OHL this season. The 19-year-old defenseman from Russia scored his eighth goal Saturday, helping Sudbury to a wild 7-6 shootout victory over Owen Sound.

Gonch gets a friendly deflection and puts us within one!

6-5 pic.twitter.com/MWewTWoczm

— Sudbury Wolves (@Sudbury_Wolves) December 13, 2025

He has 15 points in his past 12 games, and is third on Sudbury with 19 points in 29 games.

The Rangers selected the left-shot d-man in the third round (No. 89 overall) of the 2025 draft. He is the nephew of Sergei Gonchar, who played 1,301 games in the NHL.

“Artem is a player that we have been high on from this past season.”, Sudbury general manager Rob Papineau said prior to the season. “He is a very intelligent smooth skating defenseman who was just selected in the third round in the NHL. He has great vision and offensive instincts and is a skilled playmaker.”

Gonchar played most of his 2024-25 season in the MHL with Magnitogorsk Stalnye Lisy, recording 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists) in 50 games

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...gers-prospect-nathan-aspinall-breakout-season

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers vs. Blues: Lineups, storylines with Artemi Panarin ‘under the weather’

The New York Rangers will have to try to regain their scoring touch and get back on the winning track Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues without Artemi Panarin. Their leading scorer is “under the weather” and was scratched after skipping the morning skate at Enterprise Center.

Panarin has 34 points (11 goals, 23 assists) while playing all 35 games so far this season. The durable 34-year-old’s missed just two games since the start of the 2022-23 season. He’s also led the Rangers in scoring each of his first six seasons after signing a seven-year, $81.5 million contract as a free agent on July 1, 2019.

Though Panarin’s production is more inconsistent this season, his absence from the lineup is a major concern.

Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

The Rangers (16-15-4) average 2.51 goals per game, 29th of 32 teams in the NHL. New York was shut out 3-0 by the last-overall Vancouver Canucks at home on Tuesday to complete a miserable back-to-back set at Madison Square Garden. The blanking by the Canucks followed a 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday.

New York’s been shut out seven times this season, with six of those defeats on home ice. Though the Rangers lead the NHL with 12 road wins, they were blanked in Chicago by the Blackhawks in their most recent road contest eight days ago.

So, yes, they’ll miss Panarin. But reinforcements did arrive from the minors leagues on Wednesday, when the Rangers recalled Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann from Hartford of the American Hockey League. Neither former first-round pick scored a goal yet in a combined 34 NHL games, but each possesses plenty of offensive skill.

Perreault leads Hartford with 10 goals and 17 points in 20 games as a rookie pro. The 20-year-old also picked up his first NHL point, an assist, during a three-game recall earlier this season. Othmann scored 21 goals for Hartford two seasons ago and had three in his past four AHL games before this recall.

The Blues (13-15-7) are one of the three teams that actually scores fewer goals than the Rangers. St. Louis is 31st in the League, averaging 2.49 goals per game, and its unsightly minus-36 goal differential is worst in the NHL.

Still, the Blues found a way to win two of their past three games despite scoring a total of six goals. They’re coming off a 1-0 victory at home over the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, the first of this back to back for them.

Joel Hofer shut out Winnipeg, so Jordan Binnington likely starts against the Rangers. Igor Shesterkin gets the call for the Rangers.

3 storylines when Rangers visit Blues​

Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

1. Going fourth​

The Rangers didn’t do line rushes at the morning skate, but Othmann told reporters he’s slated to skate on the fourth line with Sam Carrick and Matt Rempe. If coach Mike Sullivan actually gives that line some decent playing time, it could be a source of much-needed energy. When Othmann is at his best, he’s engaged and playing physically, which often leads to offensive success.

It would be nice to see Othmann get some run in the top-nine. But Sullivan trusts Carrick and Rempe, so hopefully that means Othmann earns some trust, too, and plays more than a handful of minutes.

Credit: Brennan Othmann

Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

After a slow start this season that led to plenty of Othmann trade rumors, the 22-year-old forward has five points (four goals, one assist) in his past seven games with Hartford.

“The last two or three weeks it’s been trending upwards,” he explained after the morning skate. “I feel like I’ve been playing pretty good hockey in Hartford and getting good feedback from the top of the organization to the bottom.”

There’s no indication where Perreault slots in Thursday, though a top-six role is likely — whether Panarin plays or not. Perreault also practiced with the second power-play unit at the morning skate.

2. Hit parade​

Outside of not scoring a lot of goals, there’s another thing the Rangers and Blues have in common. They are among the most physical teams in the NHL, at least according to one statistic. The Rangers lead the NHL with 927 hits; the Blues are fourth with 820.

Will Cuylle again leads the Rangers, and is third in the NHL, with 121 hits in 35 games. Last season, Cuylle set a franchise record with 301 hits, tied for third in the League.

Nathan Walker leads the Blues with 95 hits and averages a whopping 18.05 hits per 60 minutes. Dylan Holloway is second on the team with 91 hits. Neither of these rugged forwards will play Thursday. Walker remains out longer-term with an upper-body injury; Holloway injured his ankle a few days ago and won’t be evaluated again for six weeks.

3. Did you see the red Fox?​

Good morning from St. Louis, where the Rangers are having a morning skate at the Enterprise Center. The man in red is Adam Fox. pic.twitter.com/HlxJS8KSeO

— Colin Stephenson (@ColinSNewsday) December 18, 2025

This won’t help the Rangers against the Blues, but it’s certainly good news that Adam Fox took part in the morning skate, albeit wearing a red no-contact jersey. He remains on LTIR with an upper-body injury, and will miss his ninth game Thursday.

New York is 3-3-2 since Fox sustained his injury in a 4-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 29. Without Fox quarterbacking their top power-play unit, the Rangers are 2-for-21 with the man advantage. The second unit scored one of those power-play goals and the other was a 4-on-3 score in overtime. The five-forward PP1 unit is without a power-play goal.

It should be noted that in Panarin’s absence Thursday morning, rookie defenseman Scott Morrow ran point on PP1, either signaling a change of plans or that he’s a placeholder for the Breadman.

New York Rangers projected lineup​

Will Cuylle — Mika Zibanejad — Alexis Lafreniere

J.T. Miller — Vincent Trocheck — Conor Sheary

Gabe Perreault — Noah Laba — Taylor Raddysh

Brennan Othmann — Sam Carrick — Matt Rempe

Vladislav Gavrikov — Braden Schneider

Carson Soucy — Will Borgen

Matthew Robertson — Scott Morrow

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

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

Who: New York Rangers vs. St. Louis Blues

When: Thursday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. ET

Where: Enterprise Center

How to watch: MSG

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...-storylines-artemi-panarin-game-time-decision

 

[New York Rangers]

‘Sometimes they go in’: Miller’s 3rd OT goal of season ties Rangers record

New York Rangers captain J.T. Miller isn’t generating much offense in regulation so far this season. But it’s a whole different story when the game goes past 60 minutes.

Miller scored his third overtime goal of the season at 2:21 of the extra period to give the Rangers a 2-1 road win against the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night, ending their two-game slide. He’s responsible for their past two victories; Miller also got the OT winner on Saturday in a 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens at Madison Square Garden, after which they lost 4-1 to the Anaheim Ducks on Monday and 3-0 to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, also at MSG.

The overtime goal Thursday, a rocket of a shot from the high slot through defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov’s screen that beat goalie Jordan Binnington, was the 17th of Miller’s career. He’s tied for seventh on the all-time NHL list.

HE DOES IT AGAIN pic.twitter.com/FeZP0sZsjE

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 19, 2025

Miller also scored the OT winner in a 4-3 road victory against the Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 30 and had the primary assist on Will Cuylle’s OT goal in a 3-2 road win against the Seattle Kraken two nights later. For good measure, he also scored the deciding goal in a 2-1 shootout win on the road against the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Nov. 15.

“Sometimes they go in, sometimes they don’t,” Miller said Thursday about his OT success. “I feel like I’ve had some success in previous years in overtime. Today was kind of a weird one. I was pretty tired out there and they had a little breakdown in their coverage and [Vincent Trocheck] made a [heck] of a play. Tried to shoot the puck a little bit more today, and it’s nice to get off the schneid a little bit.”

J.T. Miller’s latest OT goal lifts Rangers to 2-1 win against Blues​

Miller is hard on himself for not producing more in regulation for an offense-starved team – he has just seven goals and 17 non-OT points in 34 games. He has seven points (three goals, four assists) overall in his past eight games, and said his success in extra time should give him more of a boost.

“It’s good for the confidence,” he said. “Last couple weeks, I feel like my game’s there. I don’t think it’s kind of back to the same as the beginning of the year. It’s like not getting as much as I’d like, I think, on the score sheet.

“But I’ve got to believe that if you just play like that most games than not over the course of the season, good things will happen. Just try to be confident.”

HUG. YOUR. CAPTAIN. pic.twitter.com/HsEvjY1Kql

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) December 19, 2025

Goalie Igor Shesterkin, who made 26 saves, said Miller is “a huge player for us.”

“He’s a leader,” Shesterkin told the New York Post. “He has a great personality. He played great. He always plays hard. So we just try to follow him, especially in overtime.”

Miller passed Max Pacioretty for the most overtime goals by a U.S.-born player in NHL history. And he tied a Rangers record for most OT goals in a season – matching Tomas Sandstrom, Adam Graves, and Marian Gaborik.

“It was a great shot, and a great screen by ‘Vladdy’ – Vladdy goes to the net.” coach Mike Sullivan said postgame. “It was a good play all around.”

Sullivan wants Miller to let ‘er rip more often rather than looking for the perfect play.

“I had a conversation with him this morning and tried to encourage him to shoot the puck a little bit more,” the coach explained. “Sometimes he passes up the opportunity to shoot it. He has a heavy shot.

“He’s one of the few guys we have on our team (who) can beat goaltenders clean, with a clear-sided shot. That’s how heavy I think his shot is. That was a great example of it.”

Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Sullivan also liked with the teamwork and smart puck play that led to Miller’s OT winner.

“[Overtime] is a possession game. You’ve got to be selective about when you shoot. Overtime, for me, is all about possession. Those guys were patient when they needed to be. They came up the ice together. Vinny made a nice play, Vladdy goes to the net – it’s a good screen.

“Good players make good plays.”

The Rangers need more plays like that when they continue their grueling five-games-in-seven-days week with a Saturday afternoon contest against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Garden, followed by visits to the Nashville Predators on Sunday and the Washington Capitals on Tuesday before the Christmas break.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...t-miller-overtime-success-ties-rangers-record