RSS Rangers Team Notes

[New York Rangers]

Rangers return from break, blow 2-goal lead, lose 3-2 in OT to Flyers

The vibes were all positive to start at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. But in the end, the New York Rangers’ home-ice misery this season continued, when they let a two-goal lead slip away in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in their first game after the three-week Olympic break.

Matvei Michkov sprung out of the penalty box, accepted a pass in the neutral zone, danced around J.T. Miller, and beat Igor Shesterkin between the pads 2:09 into overtime to cap Philly’s comeback.

MATVEI MICHKOV WINS IT IN OT FOR THE FLYERS!!!! pic.twitter.com/YKI20PiHte

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 27, 2026

The goal was Michkov’s second of the game, and 15th of the season. It came after the Rangers failed to score on a 4-on-3 power play in OT, after Michkov was penalized for goaltender interference with 8.6 seconds remaining in regulation.

It was the fifth straight loss for the Rangers (22-29-7), who held a pregame ceremony to honor five members of the organization who helped the United States win the gold medal at the just-completed Milan-Cortina Olympics. The five included Miller and Vincent Trocheck, coach Mike Sullivan, assistant David Quinn, and general manager Chris Drury, who was part of Team USA’s management group.

Adding to the upbeat atmosphere were the returns of Shesterkin and top-pair defenseman Adam Fox to the Rangers lineup. It was the first night back for Shesterkin and Fox, after each sustained a lower-body injury in the same game on Jan. 5.

And on top of that, the Rangers started fast and held a 2-0 lead halfway through the game. But winning at MSG is not that simple for the Rangers this season. So, the good vibes eventually melted away. And they’re now 6-15-5 at the World’s Most Famous Arena.

The Rangers were also gifted the first goal of the game, but only after they stormed out of the gate and dominated the first half of the first period. Samuel Ersson gave up a simply terrible goal at 9:56, allowing Sam Carrick’s unscreened flip from along the right-wing boards to somehow beat him five-hole to make it 1-0 Rangers.

Sam Carrick opens the scoring! pic.twitter.com/TqenvElpL5

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 27, 2026

What made that goal even more shocking, is that Ersson was Philly’s best player to start the game, up until that point. On the first shift of the contest, he made a spectacular lunging save to deny Fox off a 4-on-1 zone entry by the Rangers, after a Flyers turnover at center ice. Shortly thereafter, Ersson made another huge stop, robbing Brendan Brisson — making his Rangers debut — on the doorstep.

The Rangers won pretty much every puck battle early on and deserved their lead. The Flyers provided some pushback finally later in the period, notably a point-blank look for Jamie Drysdale that Shesterkin handled.

Alexis Lafreniere doubled the Rangers lead 1:23 into the second period. He found a soft spot in front of the Flyers net, and finished a neat passing sequence from Will Cuylle and Trocheck for his 13th goal of the season.

Alexis Lafreniere gives the Rangers a two goal lead

Watch Flyers-Rangers on ESPN and the ESPN App pic.twitter.com/iy3JVx1dGJ

— ESPN (@espn) February 27, 2026

The visitors turned the tide after Lafreniere’s goal, outshot the Rangers 10-5 in the second, and got a goal back at 10:26 to make it 2-1. With New York’s Conor Sheary in the penalty box serving a high-sticking minor, Michkov buried a neat backdoor feed from Noah Cates.

Trevor Zegras scored the equalizer on the first shift of the third period, going bar down over Shesterkin’s blocker on an odd-man rush at the 39-second mark.

Penalties assessed to Lafreniere — at 7:28 for slashing — and Vladislav Gavrikov — for high-sticking at 14:40 –gave the Flyers a pair of power plays after Zegras tied the game. But Philly did nothing with the opportunities, though Shesterkin had to make one stellar save, denying Cates point blank with Gavrikov in the box.

Then Michkov crashed into Shesterkin with about 50 seconds left in the third period, but the Rangers played keep away with the puck so that the Flyers couldn’t touch up to get the whistle. That allowed the Rangers extra 4-on-3 power-play time in OT, though, of course, to no avail.

Next up, the Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday afternoon, trying yet again to break the Garden hex.

Key takeaways after Rangers lose 3-2 in overtime to Flyers​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Rude welcome back​

The Rangers lost 11 of 13 games when Shesterkin and Fox were sidelined most of January and into the start of February. Returning on the same night after the Olympic break appeared to be just what the doctor ordered for the Blueshirts. Until it wasn’t, of course.

Shesterkin stopped 21 of 24 shots, though he probably wants the OT goal by Michkov back, beaten 1-on-1 on a quick release. But make no mistake, Shesterkin was still plenty good. The 30-year-old was particularly sharp in the second period, when he made nine saves, including three in one wild flurry just a few minutes into the frame. A couple minutes later, he lunged to his left to make a sparkling save to rob Cates on a power-play rebound attempt.

The Rangers No. 1 goalie told reporters he “felt pretty good, except for the result.”

Fox logged a game-high 24:59 TOI, and was caught up ice when Zegras scored the tying goal in the third period. The 27-year-old defenseman didn’t record a point and failed to get the sleepy-looking power play — which was 0-for-3 — going as its quarterback.

“i thought it was O.K.,” Sullivan said postgame about the play of Shesterkin and Fox. “I think they’re capable of another level.”

Sam, I am​

Carrick’s fourth goal of the season was gift-wrapped, no doubt. But when you’re among the hardest-working players on the team, you deserve one of these breaks. And he sure didn’t let the goal give him a swollen head.

The 34-year-old continued to do what he does, even though he played just 11 shifts and totaled 7:57 TOI. He and linemates Brisson and Brennan Othmann were effective on the forecheck early on and got pucks to the net.

When Othmann was caught in the jaw on a check by Garnet Hathaway late in the first period, in came Carrick to challenge the rugged Flyers forward to a fight. Not only that, Carrick landed the cleanest punch in the exchange, yet again stepping up for his teammates.

You’ve got to love this guy.

Carrick and Hathaway exchange some heavy blows pic.twitter.com/mu9JcGamOn

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) February 27, 2026

Experimenting​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Sullivan gave Othmann some time on the penalty kill early in the game, and Noah Laba played 3:33 on the PK. Good opportunity for each kid. Then there was the second power-play unit, which featured youngsters Laba, Cuylle, Brisson, and Gabe Perreault, along with Gavrikov, the veteran defenseman. Again, good on the coach for creating these chances for the kids.

Also, Sullivan tried Braden Schneider on his off (left) side, partnered with Will Borgen on the second defense pair. They were on for New York’s two goals and each finished plus-two. Borgen had an assist on Carrick’s goal.

Schneider looked comfortable on his off side, though he and Borgen got worked several times by the Flyers in the second and third periods. Still, the 24-year-old totaled 22:34 TOI, including nearly five minutes on the penalty kill, and led the Rangers with three blocked shots and tied for second with three shots on goal.

This is just the start of the coach’s experimenting over the final six weeks of the season.

The Olympians​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Miller and Trocheck bathed in the warm reception they received from the Garden Faithful during the pregame ceremony. Sullivan, too, received a roaring ovation. The same can’t be said for Drury, who was booed loudly by the fans.

Aside from a needless interference (should’ve been cross-checking) penalty in the second period, Trocheck had a pretty solid night from start to finish. He led the Rangers with six hits, had an assist, was good on the PK, though didn’t record a shot on goal.

Miller started fast, but seemed to run out of steam. He was exhausted after being on ice for the entire power play in overtime and beaten easily by the fresh Michkov on the game-deciding goal. Miller won 7 of 11 face-offs, but didn’t record a shot on goal and was not noticeable much of the game.

Mika Zibanejad, who played for Sweden in the Olympic Games, was credited with a team-high nine shot attempts, though only three were on goal. He missed the net badly on a clean look from the left circle in OT, and was without a point in this one.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/recap-blow-lead-lose-3-2-ot-flyers

 

[New York Rangers]

Do Rangers have Adam Fox problem moving forward in retool?

Maybe we’re reading too much into what Adam Fox said after he returned to the New York Rangers lineup in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. But what he said when asked about his future with the retooling Rangers can’t be completely dismissed either.

“Do you want to be here through a retool?” was the direct question asked of the 28-year-old defenseman.

Fox chuckled a bit, then danced around giving a clear answer, before kicking that can down the road until the offseason.

“I think that’s a conversation for when we’re done playing games.”

Not exactly a resounding affirmative that he wishes to remain a Ranger. And far from a “get me the heck out of here” declaration either.

But it’s been widely assumed Fox, a Long Island native and Rangers fan growing up, was all-in on being a part of this core moving forward. He has a no-move clause in his contract through next season, and a 16-team no-trade clause the two seasons after that. Fox earns $9.5 million annually, second most on the Rangers.

General manager Chris Drury reportedly asked his veterans with such contract clauses if they wanted to stay during this re-set of the roster or were open to being moved. Mika Zibanejad and Jonathan Quick, for example, publicly stated their preference to remain with the Rangers.

Since Fox was on on LTIR with a lower-body injury in January when Drury went public with plans to enter a retool — not rebuild — phase, Thursday was the first time he spoke with reporters about any subject.

So, he certainly had enough time to come up with an answer for a question he should’ve expected, considering his standing in the organization.

“I’m just trying to focus on this year right now and play each game,” Fox said postgame. “I mean that’s all I really could do right now, could control. I was just trying to work to get back and help the team finish strong. I think that’s where my head’s at obviously.”

Then he finished the answer with his comment about having this conversation at season’s end.

Adam Fox says Rangers plan to retool ‘not fun to hear’​

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

So, do the Rangers have an Adam Fox problem?

If he doesn’t want to be here, be part of the Rangers moving forward, yeah that’s an issue. He’s a letter-wearing star player, former Norris Trophy winner, and unquestionably one of the most irreplaceable players on the roster.

Of course, if Fox is open to a trade, he’s easily the biggest chip for Drury to use to overhaul the look of the team in the present and future. But that’s speculative right now. Don’t expect a massive surprise before the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline as it pertains to Fox.

But, yeah, it’s safe to say he’s likely frustrated and disenchanted with how things are going on Broadway. This is the second straight dismal season not making the playoffs for the Blueshirts, and those two runs in a three-year-span to the Eastern Conference Final feel like a distant memory.

“Yeah, it’s not fun to hear,” Fox said about Drury’s plan to shake up the roster, including trading Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings before the Olympic break.

“We’re competitive people in here and we want to win. You lose a guy like ‘Bread’ and you don’t know what else could happen, obviously. We put ourselves in this position and that’s what happens, so, it obviously sucks when something like that happens.”

Fox missed 27 games this season, first with an upper-body injury in December, and then a lower-body injury sustained Jan. 5. Without him and No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin (also due to a lower-body injury sustained in the same contest) for 13 games in January and early February, the Rangers cratered and lost 11 times.

The Rangers (22-29-7) are last in the Eastern Conference, despite picking up a point in the OT loss to the Flyers in their first game back after the three-week Olympic break. Though he’s played only 31 games, Fox leads Rangers defensemen with 28 points, and his 24 assists are fourth most on the team.

Fox had a glorious scoring chance on his first shift back Thursday, set up on a 4-on-1 odd-man rush following a Flyers turnover. But he was robbed by Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson.

Overall, Fox led the Rangers with 24:59 TOI in his return. No problem there. But perhaps a bigger issue looms for Fox and the Rangers ahead.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/adam-fox-future-rangers-retool

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers vs. Penguins: Lineups, storylines for 2 teams headed opposite ways

Much has changed since the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins faced off at Madison Square Garden on opening night. Though the Rangers were shut out 3-0 that night, few could’ve imagined that they’d be 21 points behind the Penguins four months later for their Garden rematch.

Yet, that’s where things stand heading into their Saturday matinee at MSG.

If anything, that loss in the season opener was a sign of things to come for the Rangers (22-29-7). They struggle to score, been shut out nine times this season (seven at MSG), and are tied with the Vancouver Canucks for the fewest home wins in the NHL (six).

In fact, only the Canucks (43) have fewer points in the standings than the Rangers (51), after the Blueshirts lost 3-2 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers at The Garden on Thursday. In their first game back after the three-week Olympic break, the Rangers let a 2-0 lead slip away, despite getting Igor Shesterkin and Adam Fox back in the lineup. Each missed 13 games with a lower-body injury.

If the Rangers are on the biggest disappointments this season, the Penguins (30-15-12) are among the most pleasant surprises. They are second in the Metropolitan Division, after missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs the previous three seasons, ironically under coach Mike Sullivan, who, of course, is now the Rangers bench boss.

The Penguins won their first game out of the break Thursday, 4-1 over the New Jersey Devils. They have one regulation loss since Jan. 13, moving up in the standings with a 9-1-3 run.

They’re without captain Sidney Crosby, who sustained a lower-body injury playing for Canada in the Olympics and is out four weeks. But the Penguins still have plenty of depth scoring, with nine other players who’ve scored double-digit goals this season. That depth shined against the Rangers in their most recent meeting, a 6-5 Penguins win in Pittsburgh on Jan. 31.

3 storylines when Rangers host Penguins​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

1. ‘Always something to play for’​

In less than a week, Sullivan went from answering questions about coaching the gold medal-winning United States men’s hockey team at the Milan-Cortina Olympics to explaining what the Rangers are playing for down the stretch of this dismal season.

“We want to see a group that competes hard every night and controls everything in our power that gives us the best chance to win,” Sullivan explained Friday after practice. “So, there’ve been opportunities for some of the young guys to come up and make an impact on the game, try to establish themselves as NHL players. There’s opportunities for other guys that played in the League that are looking to extend their careers or solidify their spot on the Rangers. There’s always something to play for.”

One of those players getting a chance after a post-break recall by the Rangers is forward Brendan Brisson. The 2020 first-round pick by the Vegas Golden Knights had 13 goals with Hartford of the American Hockey League and took part in the AHL All-Star Classic this season. He impressed Sullivan in his Rangers debut Thursday, when he logged 11:21 TOI, playing on the third line and second power-play unit.

“He had a couple really good scoring chances. I thought he scored on the first shift he got out there. He got a Grade A look; it was a terrific save (by Flyers goalie Samuel Ersson). But I think you can see some of his offensive instincts,” Sullivan said about the 24-year-old forward. “I thought for his first game, I thought it was pretty solid.”

2. Where’s the new guy?​

The Rangers claimed Tye Kartye off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Friday. The 24-year-old forward, who has 180 games of NHL experience, is not expected to make his Rangers debut Saturday, however. With an overflow of bottom-six forwards, there’s no rush to get Kartye into the lineup, especially since he’s yet to practice with his new team. So, expect Jonny Brodzinski to draw back into the lineup, replacing Brennan Othmann, who was reassigned to Hartford on Friday.

When he does get his chance, expect Kartye to bring a physical element to the lineup, along with solid penalty-killing skills. Though not much a scoring threat in the NHL, Kartye did show some touch in the minors, when he scored 28 goals with AHL Coachella Valley in 2022-23.

3. Put the special back in special teams​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Sullivan was clearly annoyed and displeased with the Rangers special teams play against the Flyers. Their power-play was 0-for-3, including a failed 4-on-3 opportunity in overtime. And their penalty kill allowed a struggling Flyers power play to score and kickstart a comeback midway through the second period.

“I don’t think the penalty kill was especially strong tonight,” Sullivan said following the loss Thursday. “It was pretty good in the third [period], but in the second, a lot of the details weren’t there, the reads, things of that nature. I didn’t think the special teams on either side were very good. Our power play didn’t execute, we made poor decisions; and out penalty kill needs to be better.”

By contrast, Pittsburgh’s power play is fourth best in the NHL (26.0 percent), and their PK is second overall (84.5 percent).

New York Rangers projected lineup​

J.T. Miller — Mika Zibanejad — Gabe Perreault

Will Cuylle — Vincent Trocheck — Alexis Lafreniere

Conor Sheary — Noah Laba — Brendan Brisson

Jonny Brodzinski — Sam Carrick — Taylor Raddysh

Vladislav Gavrikov — Adam Fox

Braden Schneider — Will Borgen

Matthew Robertson — Vincent Iorio

Igor Shesterkin

Jonathan Quick

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

Who: New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

When: Saturday, Feb. 28 at 12:30 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: ABC

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/nhl-rangers-penguins-game-day-preview

 

[New York Rangers]

Will Rangers deal ‘ultimate teammate’ ahead of NHL trade deadline?

The New York Rangers could use more players like Sam Carrick on their roster. But that doesn’t mean the fiercely competitive veteran center is a lock to remain in New York with the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline on the calendar.

Rangers coach Mike Sullivan called Carrick “the ultimate teammate” this week, and then laid out exactly why the Rangers should keep the gritty fourth-line staple, which happen to be the same reasons why playoff contenders expect to have interest in trading for him.

“His most redeeming quality is his competitiveness, and I think that’s something every organization in the League values,” Sullivan said Friday after practice. “It’s hard to win in this League if you don’t have a certain competitive spirit and a willingness to pay the price to win. I think Sam certainly possesses that.”

The 34-year-old is not a star. Far from it. Over 378 NHL games, he averages 11:19 TOI and scored 38 goals. But, as Sullivan pointed out, Carrick is someone you want on your team, a real heart-and-soul player, even if the Rangers need more skill in the lineup.

“He does the thankless jobs, the hard stuff, sticks up for his teammates, competes hard out there, blocks shots, brings physical play. He does a lot of the thankless jobs that are so important to teams. He sticks up for guys all the time,” Sullivan explained.

“I just think he plays the game with so much courage. It’s hard not to like a guy like that. He’s a fierce competitor.”

The latest example of Carrick’s value to the Rangers was Thursday in their first game back after the three-week Olympic break, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 6-foot, 205-pounder gave away a couple inches and roughly 10 pounds, but sought out a fight with Philly’s Garnet Hathaway late in the first period.

#Flyers Garnet Hathaway vs #Rangers Sam Carrick pic.twitter.com/4YDlPMWPYL

— Will James (@wmjsports) February 27, 2026

Carrick did so because Hathaway caught Brennan Othmann in the jaw with a hard hit along the boards. Was it an illegal check Hathaway delivered? Likely not. But the message delivered by Carrick was clear as he stood up for his bigger, younger teammate.

That’s one of six fights Carrick’s taken part in this season, filling the majority of his 53 penalty minutes, so far. His uptick in fighting coincides with the absence of Matt Rempe from the Rangers lineup. Rempe’s missed considerable time this season after shattering his thumb in an October tilt against Ryan Reaves of the San Jose Sharks. Rempe is back on IR and expected to have a second surgery on the thumb.

So, yes, Carrick’s taken on the heavy-lifting in this area, even though he’s not exactly a heavyweight himself.

H2

It’s not just fighting that makes Carrick a valued player on the Rangers roster. His 8.11 hits per 60 minutes is second most among those who’ve played at least half of New York’s 58 games this season. He’s also won 53.7 percent of his face-offs, and historically is a solid forward on the penalty kill.

And Carrick’s got four goals and 10 points in his limited ice-time with a vast array of linemates this season, after recording an NHL career-best 20 points with the Rangers a year ago. Though his goal Thursday against the Flyers was more a product of good fortune than anything else.

Sam Carrick opens the scoring! pic.twitter.com/TqenvElpL5

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 27, 2026

Carrick is durable, too. He’s played every game this season, and missed just two in 2024-25, his first season on Broadway.

And with one season at $1 million remaining on his contract, Carrick is a bargain.

All good reasons for the Rangers to hold on to him.

But considering their retool amid a second straight horrid season, the Rangers must listen if other teams come calling on Carrick. Especially if the Rangers land another young bottom-six center at some point or wish to give a look to 21-year-old Dylan Roobroeck, for example, who’s currently in his second season playing with Hartford of the American Hockey League.

If teams only offer up a late-round pick, and the Rangers alternative is to slot veteran Jonny Brodzinski in as the fourth-line pivot, then it makes no sense to trade Carrick. But if they can get a mid-round pick back, or if Carrick is packaged with another player for a larger return, then the Rangers must be willing to part with the “ultimate teammate.”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...eadline-sam-carrick-options-ultimate-teammate

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers rally to defeat Penguins 3-2 in shootout: takeaways

The New York Rangers erased a two-goal deficit, rallying to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in a shootout Saturday afternoon at Madison Square Garden.

New York snapped a five-game losing streak (0-4-1) with its first win since Jan. 26. It marks their seventh win at home; five have come in overtime or a shootout.

Vincent Trocheck netted the decisive shootout winner, and Igor Shesterkin stopped 31 of 33 shots, to help the Rangers overcome a listless start. New York was held to two shots on goal through the first 25:49 of regulation.

Pittsburgh padded its League-best first-period goal differential (plus-22) with an early power-play strike. After Braden Schneider was sent off for holding at 1:28, Anthony Mantha redirected a loud Erik Karlsson clapper past Shesterkin at 2:08 of the opening frame.

The Penguins went back on the power play 28 seconds later when Trocheck was assessed a two-minute unsportsmanlike conduct minor and a 10-minute misconduct for abuse of officials. Pittsburgh nearly went up 2-0 at 3:00 of the first, but a Bryan Rust goal was wiped off the board after a coaches’ challenge by Rangers bench boss Mike Sullivan.

Evgeni Malkin circled behind the net and slid a cross-ice pass to Rust, who ripped a one-timer from the left dot. Shesterkin struggled to get over to the right post, pushing off of Mantha’s right skate while the Penguins forward was in the crease. Officials ultimately waived off the score for goalie interference.

Penguins were up 2-0 quick… until the second tally was taken away

Goalie interference on this one? Or clean?

(via @espn on ABC) pic.twitter.com/lupH1jujqN

— SportsNet Pittsburgh (@SNPittsburgh) February 28, 2026

Rust had another golden opportunity later in the frame, speeding in on the rush and clanging the post with a sharp wrister.

Pittsburgh outshot New York 10-2 in the first period and drew three penalties in the process.

The Penguins extended their lead to 2-0 at 1:59 of the second period when defenseman Ryan Shea floated a long point shot that hit off the body of Blueshirts defenseman Scott Morrow and trickled underneath the right arm of Shesterkin.

But New York began to show life as the period unfolded.

Mika Zibanejad cut the deficit to 2-1 at 10:00 of the second with his 120th career power-play goal with the Rangers. Gliding into the low slot, he hammered a one-timer over Stuart Skinner’s glove after a sharp centering feed from Trocheck. Zibanejad has the second-most one-timer goals in the NHL (14), trailing only Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl (15), per ESPN stats.

Rangers rookie Gabe Perreault nearly tied the game twice in the middle frame, ringing the post and later missing an open net on a rebound attempt off a Zibanejad shot.

Momentum fully swung in favor of New York in the third period. The Rangers drew even at 2:57, when Taylor Raddysh drove to the net and tapped in a Vladimir Gavrikov feed. Recent call-up Brendan Brisson earned a secondary assist on the play, notching his first point in his second game with the Rangers

Taylor Raddysh ties the game! pic.twitter.com/8zpmMCHHvw

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 28, 2026

New York outshot Pittsburgh 10-4 in the third, and outchanced their Metropolitan Division rivals 13-4, per Natural Stat Trick, forcing overtime for a second consecutive game.

Pittsburgh threatened in the 3-on-3 overtime period, but the Rangers reached the shootout by virtue of some clutch defensive stops. Adam Fox lifted Rust’s stick on a rush, and Shesterkin made two acrobatic stops on Malkin in the final 10.6 seconds of OT.

Trocheck scored the only goal of the shootout, curling in from the right dot and besting Skinner with a quick wrister through the five-hole. Shesterkin made a pad save on Egor Chinakhov; Mantha lost the puck on Pittsburgh’s first attempt, and Tommy Novak missed wide right to clinch a Rangers win.

New York scored its first power-play goal since the NHL Olympic break after a lifeless 0-for-3 against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday. Zibanejad scored his team-leading 24th goal of the season.

With Sidney Crosby sidelined for Pittsburgh with a lower-body injury, the Rangers won 76.9 percent of their face-offs Saturday — their highest in a game since the NHL began tracking face-offs in 1997-98.

The Rangers registered a 76.9 faceoff win percentage in the win, their highest in a game since the NHL began tracking faceoffs in 1997-98.

It is tied for the 10th highest single-game percentage in the NHL since ’97-98 and the highest since the Oilers recorded a 79.6 percent… pic.twitter.com/qpimICKIcd

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) February 28, 2026

Key takeaways after Rangers defeat Penguins 3-2 in shootout​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Tye Kartye ‘as advertised’ in Rangers debut​

New York claimed gritty forward Tye Kartye off waivers from the Seattle Kraken on Friday afternoon. Less than 24 hours later, the 24-year-old suited up for his Rangers debut.

“It was a pretty crazy 24 hours,” Kartye admitted postgame. “Found out at like 11 o’clock yesterday. Hustled to make a 2:45 pm flight, packed what I could, and then got here. It was kind of nice — just slept, woke up, and came to play.”

Kartye slotted in at left wing of New York’s third line alongside Brisson and Noah Laba. Kartye delivered a game-high six hits, recorded two shots, and was a minus-one in 12:39 TOI on Saturday.

“For a guy that gets the news yesterday, travels all the way across the country and then has to lace them up in a 12:30 game, that’s not an easy thing to do,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said after the win.. “But I thought he played really well.”

Kartye and Morrow attempted to give the Rangers a spark after falling down 1-0 in the first; the two skaters initiated a physical scuffle near Skinner in Pittsburgh’s zone.

“We like that he’s embracing the energy,” Rangers assistant coach Joe Sacco told ESPN’s Emily Kaplan during the second intermission. “He’s trying to be physical.”

Physicality is a calling card for the 5-foot-11 Kartye, who racked up 98 hits in 40 games with the Kraken earlier this season. As a rookie in 2023-24, he finished 19th overall Leaguewide with 229 hits.

“He came as advertised,” Sullivan lauded postgame. “[General manager Chris Drury] talked to me about his motor and his ability to help us in the puck pursuit game, getting in on the forecheck, disrupting plays, making it hard on the opponent’s breakout options — things of that nature.”

Kartye didn’t log any time on the penalty kill Saturday, but he was fourth among Kraken forwards in ATOI short-handed prior to his departure. Sullivan suggested that Kartye will join New York’s penalty-kill unit once he practices with the team.

“I would anticipate getting him involved with that moving forward,” said Sullivan. “It’s just hard — we haven’t had a chance to really work with him yet with that. I didn’t want to put him in a tough spot.”

Igor Shesterkin could impede Rangers’ tank: ‘He has the ability to change the outcome of the game’​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Shesterkin was in prime form Saturday. New York’s No. 1 goalie helped limit the damage as Pittsburgh tilted the ice in the first period. Both Penguins’ goals came on shots that sharply changed directions on the way to the net.

Shesterkin single-handedly sent the Rangers to the shootout in the final 10.6 seconds of overtime, robbing Malkin twice on the doorstep.

“I think he’s the best goalie in the game,” Sullivan stated postgame. “Just his compete level. He’s an elite player, and so it’s comforting to have him between the pipes, whether it be in the shootout or anytime, for that matter. He has the ability to change the game.”

The Rangers were 2-10-1 in the 13 games that Shesterkin missed on long-term injured reserve, netting five of a possible 26 points from Jan. 6 to Feb. 5. New York tumbled to the bottom of the Eastern Conference and sank to second-worst overall after an overtime loss to the Flyers on Thursday.

If the Blueshirts have their sights set on a high lottery pick, Shesterkin’s return could interfere with their plans.

“I’m focused on my game,” Shesterkin said in response to Drury’s announcement of a Rangers retool. “I just play a game at a time, and that’s it.”

#NYR Igor Shesterkin's reaction to Letter II?

"I'm focused on my game. I just play a game at a time, and that's it. Honestly, I didn't read the letter, because I don't speak English."

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) February 28, 2026

A locked-in Shesterkin could easily steal some wins for the Rangers, even if Drury ships off more talent ahead of the NHL trade deadline on March 6.

Gabe Perreault getting ‘more confident’​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Perreault didn’t end up on the score sheet Saturday, but the 2023 first-round pick (No. 23 overall) was one of New York’s most impressive forwards against Pittsburgh.

Perreault tied an NHL career-high with five shots on goal against the Penguins, pacing all Rangers skaters. Playing alongside Zibanejad and J.T. Miller on New York’s top line, Perreault was a consistent offensive threat; he led all Blueshirts with seven scoring chances created and four high-danger chances, per Natural Stat Trick.

“Even before the break, I thought we built some chemistry,” Zibanejad noted. “The skill that he has, and I think more and more confident he’s getting — you see him making plays.”

#NYR Mika Zibanejad on his chemistry with Gabe Perreault:

“The skill that he has and I think more and more confident he’s getting— you see him making more plays. You try that on that 2-on-1, try to get it back to me — I’m laughing, but I don’t care — like if that’s what he… pic.twitter.com/IANxgc7fQM

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) February 28, 2026

Perreault passed up an opportunity to shoot on a 2-on-1 with Zibanejad in the third, instead attempting to slide it back to Zibanejad. Perreault’s pass was deflected, but Zibanejad supported the decision.

“If that’s what he thinks is the best play, trust it,” Zibanejad asserted. “Next time, it goes through, and I score, and we’re happy. That’s a great play.”

It’ll be hard to shake the feeling of disappointment around the 2025-26 Rangers, but a blossoming Perreault could be an important bright spot for the team’s future.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/recap-rally-against-penguins

 

[New York Rangers]

Upper Deck Celebrates Rangers Centennial With ‘Unique’ Trading Card Sets

The New York Rangers’ centennial season has been one to forget on the ice. Luckily, legendary trading-card retailer Upper Deck created a unique way for fans to celebrate 100 years of Rangers hockey in a more positive way.

Upper Deck unveiled two Rangers Centennial-themed trading-card boxes, a retail box that is available now and a higher-end hobby box that will be available at Upper Deck’s website and New York-area card shops March 18.

“We created two great sets at varying prices to create greater accessibility from Rangers fans to the different type of collectors,” Upper Deck senior brand manager, sports, Ed Spiker told Forever Blueshirts “The hobby price might be a bit more difficult for younger fans who also might be budding collectors, so that’s partly the reason for the retail box set.”

What’s in the Box?​

The retail box ($49.99) features 105 Rangers cards, where fans can chase Blue parallels, Red parallels or the even rarer Blueshirts Parallel insert that features one of the 18 greatest players in team history.

“There also could be a hard-signed autograph parallel in the retail box set,” Spiker said. “That’s something you don’t commonly see in a retail offering is hard-signed autographs.”

The hobby box ($139.95) has 15 cards and comes in a commemorative tin. Rangers fans can chase higher-end and unique cards such as Blue parallel autographed cards, Cup-celebration cards numbered to 94 or even the ultra-rare Blue Seats Memories Relics, featuring a piece of a Madison Square Garden seat cushion.

The hobby box also has ultra-rare Blueshirts materials cards, including game-used jersey patch cards, plus dual, triple and quad autograph cards – some which also have a piece of equipment like the goalie-pad card featuring signatures of Henrik Lundqvist and Mike Richter.

Some tins will also have Ticket to Greatness cards, numbered to 5, which feature a card/ticket stub from Wayne Gretzky’s greatest moments in his three-season history with the Rangers.

“The hobby side is definitely more robust than the retail offering, and it also comes in a collectible tin,” Spiker said. “The hobby offering offers a wide variety of autograph memorabilia cards.”

Both the retail and hobby boxes feature cards that go as far back as the team’s first season, 1926-27, since card No. 1 on the checklist is the team’s first captain Bill Cook. Cook, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1952, is only one of the Hall of Famers in both sets, since players like Jean Ratelle, Andy Bathgate, Harry Howell, Rod Gilbert, Marcel Dionne, Brad Park and others are featured on base cards and parallels.

“We do literally span the 100 years of the organization,” Spiker explained. “It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the history and know who played when. In some regards it’s educational, learning who the great players were from the different eras.”

How the Upper Deck Rangers Centennial Sets Came Together​

Spiker was assigned Centennial projects for each of the Original Six teams in the NHL. He explained the multi-year challenge of putting together a collection. He got ample assistance from members of the Upper Deck team, including project developer and longtime Rangers fan Matthew Bleiberg, who assisted in tailoring the sets for the Blueshirts Faithful.

“These Centennial sets are unique and a little bit different from the vast majority of the projects we work on,” Spiker said. “In terms of trying to put together a checklist that captures the organization’s history and key moments, the right memorabilia and designs that are going to resonate with Rangers fans, it’s a longer process, but it’s also quite fun.

“It’s a nice little challenge, and I know for [Bleiberg], being a native New Yorker and lifelong Rangers fan [it’s] just a dream come true to be able to work on a set like this.”

Spiker also noted how the Rangers’ ongoing viability is a success for the NHL.

“Each of these Centennials is a significant moment in the history of the NHL,” Spiker said. “These are storied franchises because they were first, so that’s the primary reason for creating these [sets].”

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/upper-deck-centennial-card-sets

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers Week Ahead: NHL Trade Deadline overshadows on-ice action

New York Rangers fans will have one eye on their team for the next few days as the Blueshirts play three teams that, like them, are outside a playoff position – and the other on what moves general manager Chris Drury does or doesn’t make before the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday.

Drury shipped off his biggest chip, left wing Artemi Panarin, to the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 4. But he still has desirable pieces such as Team USA gold medal winner Vincent Trocheck, the biggest name on several trade lists.

Trocheck scored the shootout winner Saturday afternoon when the Rangers overcame an early two-goal deficit to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 at Madison Square Garden.

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

If nothing else, that comeback win wiped away the sour taste of the Blueshirts’ first game after the Winter Olympics break, one that saw them blow a two-goal lead at home and lose 3-2 in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Other Rangers who could find themselves playing elsewhere before the end of the week (according to the numerous trade boards) are defenseman Braden Schneider and forward Brennan Othmann, who was sent down to AHL Hartford before the win against the Penguins.

The best news for the Rangers last week was the return of their two best players, goaltender Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Adam Fox. They were injured in the same game, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Utah Mammoth on Jan. 5. Shesterkin played both games, allowing a total of five goals, while Fox was his usual workhorse self – he averaged more than 25 minutes in the two games and was on the ice for both of the Rangers’ two non-shootout goals against the Penguins.

While the trade deadline nears, the Rangers have three games this week – the first two at home, the other just across the Hudson River. The Columbus Blue Jackets will be desperate for points when they arrive at the Garden for a game on Monday night. Three nights later – and just hours before the deadline, the disappointing Toronto Maple Leafs make their first of two visits this month. Then it’s off to Newark for a nationally televised game against the New Jersey Devils, who enter the week above only the Rangers in both the Metropolitan Division and Eastern Conference standings.

Who’s Hot​

Trocheck was the only Ranger to have points in both of last week’s games – and that doesn’t count his shootout winner. He also went 24-7 in the face-off circle, including 18-3 against the Penguins.

Who’s Not​

It looks like the Rangers have given up on Othmann, their first-round pick (No. 16 overall) in 2021 – they sent him back to Hartford after claiming forward Tye Kartye from the Seattle Kraken. Kartye led the Rangers with six hits against Pittsburgh; Othmann likely won’t be back with the Rangers, although he doesn’t figure to bring back much in a trade.

Rangers lookahead this week includes …​

Matchups with two of the NHL’s biggest disappointments this season sandwiched around the trade deadline.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Rangers (March 2, 7 p.m.; MSG/NHL Network)​

Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

The Jackets won 10 of 11 games under new coach Rick Bowness before the Olympic break to get back into the playoff race in the Eastern Conference, but back-to-back losses to the Boston Bruins (4-2) and New York Islanders (4-3 in overtime after leading 2-0 in the second period) damaged those aspirations – and made their visit to the Garden even bigger.

The Metropolitan Division rivals faced each other just once this season; the Rangers topped Columbus 2-1 in a shootout at Nationwide Arena back on Nov. 15 – back when it was the Rangers, not the Blue Jackets, who had legit playoff dreams. The Blueshirts are 5-1-0 in their past six games against the Jackets, though Columbus won 7-3 last March 9 in its most recent visit to the Garden.

Fox is an assist-a-game player against Columbus – 17 assists (plus one goal) in 17 career games. Shesterkin is 21-10-1 all-time against Columbus, including the shootout win. Charlie Coyle (11 goals in 33 games) is the only Columbus player with double figures against the Rangers. Bowness might start Jet Greaves against the Rangers; Elvis Merzlikins is 2-6-1 in nine career games against New York.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Rangers (March 5, 7 p.m., MSG)​

Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

For every Rangers fan disappointed about his or her favorite team’s season, there are a dozen or more Leafs fans furious about their team’s dreadful performance – one that’s all but certain to end Toronto’s run of nine straight playoff appearances. If that wasn’t bad enough, the Leafs play nine of 15 games this month on the road and come to the Garden one night after a game against the Devils in Newark.

However, the Leafs have had the Rangers’ number during the past couple of years. Toronto is 6-3-0 in its past nine games against the Rangers, including a 2-1 overtime win at Scotiabank Arena on Oct. 16. That includes four straight wins at the Garden, including two one-goal victories late last season.

Auston Matthews had the OT winner in October, giving him 11 goals and 24 points in 25 career games against the Rangers. But Toronto’s most prolific producer against New York is ex-Islander John Tavares, with 18 goals and 53 points in 61 games. New York captain J.T. Miller has done well against the Leafs with 15 goals and 32 points in 38 games.

Rangers at New Jersey Devils (March 7, 3 p.m., ABC)​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Amazingly, the Rangers and their cross-river rivals are facing off for the first time this season; they’ll play the other two games of their season series at the Garden later this month.

You can be sure ABC didn’t think it would they’d have a game between two non-playoff teams when this one was scheduled for national television, but that’s the case. The Rangers have been a disappointment, but the Devils have completely collapsed after a fast start. New Jersey was 13-4-1 after a 3-2 shootout win against the Washington Capitals on Nov. 15; it enters this week 29-29-2 and is all but assured of an early summer vacation.

Jack Hughes may be an Olympic hero, but he’s been a villain to the Rangers and their fans throughout his career. The first player taken in the 2019 NHL Draft (former Ranger Kaapo Kakko went No. 2) has 16 goals and 28 points in 23 career games against the Rangers – including five goals and eight points in three meetings last season. He’s missed 21 games because of injuries — a big reason the Devils fell apart.

Fox has excellent career numbers (five goals, 24 points in 27 games). Shesterkin is 11-7-1 against New Jersey with a 2.80 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/nhl-trade-deadline-overshadows-3-games

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers star opens up on trade rumors: ‘I want to win Stanley Cup’

Vincent Trocheck understands the business of hockey. So, if the New York Rangers move him ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday, the veteran center is good with it. But that doesn’t mean he wants to go just anywhere.

Trocheck said Monday that he only wants to play for a contender, not a team in a rebuild, or retool, phase like the Rangers.

“I am 32 years old. I want to win a Stanley Cup,” Trocheck told reporters.

He came close with the Rangers in 2024, when they fell two wins short of reaching the Stanley Cup Final, losing to the eventual champion Florida Panthers in six games during the Eastern Conference Final.

His desire to win likely is further fueled by helping the United States capture the gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February.

Trocheck has a 12-team no-trade clause in his contract, so he has some say as to where he ends up. He confirmed that west coast teams are on his no-trade list, so there won’t be any reunion with former linemate Artemi Panarin in Los Angeles. The Rangers traded Panarin to the Kings to kickstart their retool back on Feb. 4.

“It’s not a secret. They (west coast teams) are on my no trade cause family is important to me and my family is on the east coast,” he explained.

By the sounds of it, there are no surprises here. Trocheck and Rangers general manager Chris Drury thoroughly discussed the trade possibility

“He’s been very open and honest with me, and transparent,” Trocheck said about the much-maligned GM.

‘Rangers’ ask is high’ regarding possible Vincent Trocheck trade​

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Of course, just because Drury had these talks with Trocheck doesn’t mean the Rangers will simply trade the stalwart two-way center away for pennies on the dollar. This isn’t similar to the Panarin scenario, when the Rangers had almost no leverage with the star player on an expiring contract, holding a complete no-movement clause, dictating exactly where he could and could end up.

Trocheck has three more years on his deal, at an affordable $5.625 million annual salary. It certainly behooves the Rangers to trade him now, though, before his play might deteriorate in coming seasons.

“The Rangers ask is high, it should be high,” NHL insider Elliotte Friedman said Sunday on TNT.

Friedman added that the Minnesota Wild, Detroit Red Wings, and Carolina Hurricanes — for whom Trocheck played previously — are in on the Rangers alternate captain. And that the Wild are the frontrunners to land Trocheck.

“I think the Rangers know exactly what Trocheck is going to cost, what Minnesota is willing to do for Trocheck,” Friedman reported. “And I just think they’re looking around there and saying ‘Alright, do we take that deal, or do we find another deal elsewhere that beats it’?

“Most people tend to believe that Minnesota has a standing offer for him. And we’ll just see what the Rangers decide to do.”

The Rangers reportedly are seeking young NHL talent, or prospects on the verge of playing in the NHL, along with draft capital. That’s what they did in the Panarin trade bringing back 20-year-old forward Liam Greentree, L.A.’s top prospect at the time, who’s expected to turn pro next season.

Trocheck is third on the Rangers with 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists), though he missed 14 games earlier this season with an upper-body injury. He’s also won 57.4 percent of his face-offs, has seven seasons with 20+ goals on his resume, and played a key role as a top penalty killer for the U.S. at the Winter Olympics, where he also contributed three assists in six games.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/vincent-trocheck-opens-up-trade-rumors

 

[New York Rangers]

Rangers erase 4-goal deficit, still lose 5-4 in OT to Blue Jackets: takeaways

Maybe in another season, erasing a four-goal deficit in the third period would catapult the New York Rangers to victory. But not this season. After climbing out of a 4-0 hole, the Rangers lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Kirill Marchenko scored his second goal of the night at 1:04 of OT, denying the win that the Rangers and their fans most definitely felt was going to be theirs. That’s because, out of nowhere really, the Rangers were flying in the third period, scoring two goals early and two goals late, to flip the script on the Blue Jackets.

But in the 3-on-3 overtime, Gabe Perreault missed the net off the rush, and Vincent Trocheck got caught in the offensive zone when Columbus broke the other way on an odd-man rush. With only Vladislav Gavrikov back to help defend the rush, Igor Shesterkin failed to stop Marchenko’s wrist shot that clipped his blocker for the short-side game-winner.

NEVER A DOUBT

Kirill Marchenko wins it for the @BlueJacketsNHL in @Energizer overtime! pic.twitter.com/Bo3ThOlskN

— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2026

Shesterkin finished with 23 saves, after stopping all eight shots he faced in the critical third period. Perreault scored two goals, including the one that tied the score 4-4 with 4:46 remaining in regulation. Gavrikov started the comeback with his career-high 10th goal just 30 seconds into the third period.

THE RANGERS HAVE COME BACK FROM DOWN 4-0

Gabe Perreault pots his second of the game! pic.twitter.com/KzFgkRpj4y

— NHL (@NHL) March 3, 2026

The Rangers (23-29-8) didn’t show much life in the first period, especially after surrendering the game-opening goal at 5:50. They had three shots on goal at that point, and managed just one more the rest of the period.

Adam Fantilli got behind Gavrikov to redirect a pass from Marchenko off the rush into the net to open the scoring with his 16th goal of the season, extending his goal-scoring streak to three games.

Much of the rest of the period was a snooze fest, but the Blue Jackets did find a way to double their lead at 15:32. Marchenko’s one-timer from the left circle deflected off Matthew Robertson’s stick and beat Shesterkin short side for a power-play goal that made it 2-0.

The Rangers got their feet moving in the second period, and had two scoring chances in the first minute. Mika Zibanejad got a shot through that Elvis Merzlikins stopped but couldn’t control the rebound. Perreault was there to try and jam the puck home, but the Blue Jackets goalie denied him.

Then at 2:14, Columbus captain Boone Jenner was sent off for a tripping penalty; 50 seconds later the Rangers thought they cut the deficit in half when J.T. Miller buried what appeared to be a power-play goal from the right circle. But the Blue Jackets challenged for goaltender interference, and video review upheld the challenge, wiping the goal off the board, after it was determined that Alexis Lafreniere interfered with Merzlikins by slightly elbowing him in the head when moving through the top of the blue paint.

The Rangers being the Rangers these days, they allowed Sean Monahan to score a short-handed goal just 23 seconds later, an absolute backbreaker at 3:27. It was the ninth shorty allowed by the Rangers this season.

Mathieu Olivier beat Shesterkin far side with a right-wing snap shot off the rush at 11:54 to put the Blue Jackets up 4-0.

Left for dead after the 40 minutes of hockey, the Rangers came alive by scoring two goals in the first minute of the third period to get back into the game. Gavrikov buried a Lafreniere feed out in front 30 seconds into the period. Then 24 seconds later, Columbus defenseman Denton Mateychuk misplayed the puck after a face-off win by the Blue Jackets, and Perreault wasted no time rifling the loose puck past Merzlikins to make it 4-2.

Vladislav Gavrikov – New York Rangers (10) pic.twitter.com/3wv6n6MT12

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 3, 2026

Shesterkin kept his team in it at 6:22 when he aggressively dove out of his crease to poke the puck off the stick of Miles Wood after the Columbus forward blew past Brendan Brisson.

The Rangers rewarded their goalie by pulling even with two more goals. They scored off a scramble, with the puck deflecting off Will Borgen’s skate and over the goal line at 12:50, and Perreault tied it at 15:14, finishing off a perfect feed from Borgen on a rush up ice.

But on this night, in this season, the epic comeback was only good enough for one point in the standings, after Marchenko finished off this wild contest in overtime.

Key takeaways after Rangers lose 5-4 to Blue Jackets in overtime​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Not a complete game​

The third-period comeback was awesome. The Rangers skated hard and fast, won numerous puck battles, drove to the net, and looked the part of a really good hockey team. They out-chanced the Blue Jackets 13-5, including 6-0 in high-danger scoring opportunities, had an expected goal share of 81.5 percent, per Natural Stat Trick, and scored four straight goals to the tie the game and force overtime.

“We talked about no quit. Proud of the way we kept pushing,” Miller said afterward.

But let’s be real. Had the Rangers actually, you know, started on time and played a full 60 minutes more similarly to how they competed over the final 20 of regulation, they would’ve won this game handily. Columbus was without its leading scorer and minute-munching defenseman Zach Werenski, yet led 4-0 after 40 minutes. There was minimal pushback by the Rangers until they jumped the visitors in the third period. Keep in mind that Columbus has now been outscored 76-54 in third periods this season.

So, yes, the comeback was awesome. But the first 40 minutes were as much the reason they lost as Marchenko’s goal in OT.

“Things haven’t gone as smooth as anyone has liked, but definitely proud of the group for that third period and, honestly, just giving the fans something to cheer for, something to get excited for,” Adam Fox said, before adding, “We want to be able to deliver that for a full 60 minutes, not just one period at a time.”

Gabe breaks out on cue​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Before the game, coach Mike Sullivan gave a glowing commentary about Perreault’s play in the top six, even though the rookie hadn’t recorded a point in six games, nor a goal in 10. The kid looked the part in the third period, scoring twice and adding an assist to establish a career high with three points.

His first goal was an absolute snipe. And the way he jumped on that loose puck and fired immediately on net was an example of his growing confidence. He then hopped into a goalmouth scrum to push the puck where it caromed off Borgen and in to make it 4-3. And then the 20-year-old skated right down the middle to beat Merzlikins five-hole and tie the game, when Borgen returned the favor by setting him up.

Don't call it a comeback

Gabe Perreault SNIPE and the Rangers cut the lead to two pic.twitter.com/EBiCDRKX2G

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 3, 2026

If this is a sign of things to come, at least something good will come out of this overall dismal season for the Rangers.

“I’ve been getting a lot of chances the last five, 10 games or so and obviously it’s nice to see a couple go in tonight,” Perreault said postgame. “But you hate losing, and it sucks to come back like that and end up losing.”

Turning point​

Miller’s disallowed power-play goal in the second period felt like a real turning point in this game. Instead of trailing 2-1, the Rangers soon were down 3-0 after Columbus scored short-handed right after play resumed following the video review. And the home team and its crowd really fell silent afterward the rest of that second period.

Columbus likely believed there were two reasons to have this goal reviewed. Lafreniere did make some contact with the head of Merzlikins. He also slightly clipped skates with the Blue Jackets goalie, accidentally not allowing him to push off fully toward where the shot was coming from.

The age old question. What is goalie interference? pic.twitter.com/Un9AcbJqwd

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) March 3, 2026

It wasn’t cut and dry. But the Rangers had one of these go their way on video review in the 3-2 comeback victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, and that disallowed goal helped them win the game.

Last call?​

Brad Penner-Imagn Images

So, was this Trocheck’s last game wearing a Rangers sweater? And his last home game at Madison Square Garden?

The NHL Trade Deadline arrives at 3 p.m. ET on Friday, and the Rangers likely will move Trocheck before then. The 32-year-old center said as much after the morning skate Monday. There’s a chance he’ll be traded before the Rangers host the Toronto Maple Leafs at MSG on Thursday — or that they’ll hold him out of the game for roster management reasons.

If either is true, his final moment on home ice at The Garden is diving on his belly trying to break up a pass that never came on Marchenko’s game-winning goal.

Trocheck assisted on Perreault’s second goal, won 10 of 19 face-offs, recorded six shot attempts and two on goal, and logged 20:45 TOI.

Trocheck also was right in the middle of a third-period post-whistle scrum behind the Columbus net. Because of course he was.

Let’s see if this was his Rangers swan song.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ecap-furious-rally-overtime-loss-blue-jackets

 

[New York Rangers]

Hartford Wolf Pack Weekly: Juuso Pärssinen rediscovers scoring touch

The Hartford Wolf Pack’s three-game winning streak was snapped when they split a two-game series against Lehigh Valley in Allentown over the weekend. But the past week was, by and large, a productive one for the New York Rangers affiliate’ in the American Hockey League.

Saturday featured a 5-4 shootout win, led by Dylan Garand’s heroic efforts after he relieved starter Spencer Martin for the final 58:37 of the game. Garand stopped 24 of 26 shots, then denied 10 of 12 attempts in the victorious shootout. Veteran Justin Dowling scored the deciding goal for the Wolf Pack in their longest shootout of the season.

However, Hartford couldn’t keep the good mojo rolling Sunday, when it lost 6-3.

Dowls called game during the 12th() round of the shootout last night with this beauty pic.twitter.com/ngtAlW9wEi

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) March 1, 2026

The eighth-place Wolf Pack (20-26-4-2, 46 points) are six points out of a playoff spot in the Atlantic Division. They begin a crucial five-game homestand on Wednesday.

Hartford Wolf Pack News-n-Notes​

Credit: Hartford Wolf Pack

Juuso Pärssinen finds scoring touch with Wolf Pack​

Finally healthy, Juuso Pärssinen is coming alive for the Wolf Pack. The 25-year-old forward has five points (four goals, one assist) in his past five games. On Saturday, Pärssinen was rewarded with a tip-in goal when battling in front of the Lehigh Valley net. One day later, Pärssinen converted a rebound of Travis Dermott’s shot. He also had a secondary assist on Hartford’s first goal by Anton Blidh, at first protecting the puck to keep the play alive.

Follow the puck and good things happen pic.twitter.com/rD5OEe2HIY

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) March 1, 2026

After two injury absences (Nov. 28 to Jan. 22; Jan. 23 to Feb. 5) and a disappointing start in New York with the Rangers (two goals, one assist in 14 games), Pärssinen is beginning to find his stride. His performance could earn himself a callup, especially at a time when the Rangers are retooling and vetting prospects.

Pärssinen has six points (five goals, one assist) in 11 AHL games.

Brennan Othmann producing in AHL ahead of uncertain NHL Trade Deadline​

Returning from his fourth callup of the season, Brenann Othmann scored in back-to-back games this past weekend. Othmann, a first-round pick (No. 16) by the Rangers in the 2021 NHL Draft, has nine points (seven goals, two assists) in his past 10 AHL games, even though he struggled mightily in the NHL and has just one goal with the Rangers.

On Saturday, he was on the second line, paired with Blidh and Pärssinen, and given significant ice time, something that didn’t happen in his fourth-line role with the Rangers. The 23-year-old provided an offensive spark for the Wolf Pack, tying the game 4-4 on Saturday with a snipe in a 4-on-4 situation.

Otter pic.twitter.com/7QBZU6t1re

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) March 1, 2026

The next day, Othmann skated on a line with Dylan Roobroeck and Jaroslav Chmelař and scored a third-period goal, though it was on a mixed line with Trey Fix-Wolansky picking up the assist.

Othmann is up to 16 points (eight goals, eight assists) in 25 AHL games this season. With the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday and Othmann’s name mentioned often on the rumor mill, he could play his final game with the organization in Hartford this week.

Adam Sýkora sets career high by scoring 10th goal​

Adam Sykora — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

Adam Sykora scored in three consecutive games to establish a career high with 10 goals this season. A second-round pick (No. 63) by the Rangers in the 2022 NHL Draft, Sykora is tied for third in goals on Hartford with Gabe Perreault, who’s in New York and scored two goals in the Rangers’ 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.

On Feb. 22, he got in on the forecheck against Providence, eventually leading to him scoring a rebound goal.

Syky’s motor never quits pic.twitter.com/FRFmINRhQU

— Hartford Wolf Pack (@HWPHockey) March 1, 2026

Known for being a key cog on the penalty kill and defensive situations, Sýkora is beginning to build his offensive skillset, proving he can be effective on both ends of the ice. A depth player for Hartford, Sýkora is quietly establishing himself as a callup candidate to fill in the Rangers’ bottom six.

Upcoming Games​

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

Wednesday, March 4 vs Providence Bruins (Boston) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena​

• This is the eighth of 10 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 2-3-1-1 against Providence.
• Providence is 41-10-1-0 (83 points), first in the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference. They are second overall in the AHL.
• Patrick Brown leads the Bruins with 48 points (17 goals, 31 assists) and is tied for 12th in the AHL. Next is Georgii Merkulov with 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists).

Friday, March 6 vs Bridgeport Islanders (New York) at 7:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena​

• This is the ninth of 12 meetings in the season series. Hartford is 3-5-0-0 against Bridgeport.
• Bridgeport is 22-24-3-5 (52 points), sixth in the Atlantic Division and 11th in the Eastern Conference.
• Matt Luff leads the Islanders with 42 points (15 goals, 27 assists). Next is Adam Beckman with 37 points (22 goals, 15 assists).

Saturday, March 7 vs Hershey Bears (Capitals) at 6:00pm, PeoplesBank Arena​

• This is the third of four meetings in the season series. Hartford won the first two meetings in regulation.
• Hershey is 26-20-6-2 (60 points), fourth in the Atlantic Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference.
• Ilya Protas leads the Bears with 45 points (22 goals, 23 assists). Next is Andrew Cristall with 42 points (12 goals, 30 assists).

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/n...ack-juuso-parssinen-rediscovers-scoring-touch

 

[New York Rangers]

What’s next for Rangers after J.T. Miller goes on IR with upper-body injury

The hits just keep on coming this season for the New York Rangers. On Tuesday, they placed captain J.T. Miller on injured reserve with an upper-body injury.

Reportedly this is a different injury from the upper-body issue that forced him to miss seven games, including the outdoor Winter Classic against the Florida Panthers in Miami, from Dec. 21 – Jan. 5.

Miller played the entirety of New York’s 5-4 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday. He logged 19:23 TOI and assisted on Will Borgen’s goal in the third period, when the Rangers erased a four-goal deficit to force overtime. Miller spoke with reporters after the game and appeared none the worse for wear.

It’s unknown what the exact injury is or whether it’s a new or lingering issue. Miller was hit in the back of the head by a shot after being knocked to the ice in front of the Columbus net by Erik Gudbranson with 7:26 remaining in the third period. He remained in the game during the ensuing delayed penalty, when Borgen scored to make it 4-3.

The 32-year-old forward played five more shifts the rest of the night without missing a single one. He started the 3-on-3 overtime for New York with Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox.

Rangers’ J.T. Miller sustains latest blow in roller-coaster season​

Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

It’s been a roller-coaster ride for Miller this season. Named the 29th captain in franchise history before training camp started, he sustained an injury a couple weeks later that he played through to begin the season. Never looking completely healthy, Miller slumped to 14 goals and 38 points in 51 games, and the Rangers (23-29-8) are last in the Eastern Conference.

Seeing the team trade Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 4 amid an expected extensive retool of the roster is not what Miller envisioned for his first season as captain.

He’s had several big moments earlier in the season, including scoring three overtime goals and another shootout winner. Along with Rangers teammate Vincent Trocheck, Miller helped the United States men’s hockey team capture the gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympics last month.

What’s next for Rangers after J.T. Miller injury​

Credit: Hartford Wolf Pack

Juuso Parssinen — photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

The Rangers recalled forwards Juuso Parssinen and Jaroslav Chmelar from Hartford of the American Hockey League late Tuesday afternoon. Parssinen has the hot hand lately in the minors, scoring four goals in his past five AHL games. He began the season as a lineup regular for the Rangers, so should get another chance here, either at center or on the wing.

Chmelar is pointless in six games with the Rangers this season. The 22-year-old could fill a fourth-line role, since forward Brendan Brisson was assigned to Hartford, along with defenseman Scott Morrow, on Tuesday.

The Rangers could elevate extra forward Jonny Brodzinski into the lineup as well. Brodzinski’s moved up and down the Rangers lineup over the past few years, and plays center or on the wing, just like Miller. It’s also possible that Adam Edstrom could be activated off IR since he’s been practicing with the team lately. Edstrom, a bottom-six wing, missed 33 games so far with a lower-body injury.

Further complicating matters is the NHL Trade Deadline on Friday. The Rangers are likely to trade Trocheck before then, or hold him out of the lineup for roster management reasons Thursday, when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Brodzinski, Sam Carrick, Taylor Raddysh, and Conor Sheary are other forwards that could be traded.

Barring any other moves, it’d make the most sense to give Parssinen a look in the top six, though they might prefer him on the third line, with a more veteran option taking Miller’s minutes.

Any trades between now and Thursday certainly will only add to the lineup confusion.

Source: https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/new-york-rangers-news/jt-miller-injured-reserve-lineup-options