Othmann was called up from Hartford of the American Hockey League on Friday, hours after 6-foot-9 forward Matt Rempe was injured in a first-period fight with former Blueshirt Ryan Reaves during New York’s 6-5 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. He didn’t return and didn’t make the trip when the Rangers flew west to begin a road trip against Calgary Flames on Sunday.

The recall came after a lackluster preseason that saw Othmann assigned to the AHL ahead of Brett Berard and Gabe Perreault, offering reason to believe he had fallen behind them among the Rangers’ forward prospects.

Berard and Perreault are likely still rated higher at this juncture, but New York recalled Othmann from Hartford prior to the four-game Western trip.

UPDATE: Brennan Othmann has been recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack.

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) October 24, 2025

Othmann scored one goal on seven shots in four preseason games while leading the Rangers with 15 penalty minutes. It’s been more of the same with the Wolf Pack, who were 1-3-0 with Othmann in the lineup and lost 3-0 to the Bridgeport Islanders without him on Friday. He had one assist and seven shots on goal through four games before the recall.

The Rangers’ first pick (No. 16 overall) in the 2021 draft got some extended NHL time during the latter stages of last season. He played 22 games from February to April but struggled to make an impact, failing to score a goal and finishing with two assists.

The Rangers are 3-4-2 entering their first long trip of the 2025-26 season, including an 0-4-1 start at Madison Square Garden — the first time they’ve failed to get a win in their first five home games since 1943-44.

It’s a complicated time for a once-heralded prospect to join the Blueshirts — though given the circumstances, it’s the move that makes the most sense.

Brennan Othmann profiles as best fit for the Rangers right now

Perreault would be the most exciting call-up, and the 20-year-old likely boasts the highest offensive ceiling of the three. But it’s become evident that the Rangers believe the No. 23 overall pick in 2023 could use more seasoning in the AHL after a going scoreless in a five-game NHL stint after signing with the Rangers in April.

That leaves Berard and Othmann as the two most sensible options. But while Berard was the more impressive of the two last season and lasted until the final cut at camp, Othmann could be what the Rangers need right now.

Berard left a strong first impression in 2024-25, displaying a high-energy, high-intensity style that makes him a natural fit in New York’s bottom-six forward group. The only problem is, the Rangers are getting plenty of that already.

At 5-foot-9, Berard’s game is fairly similar to that of 5-foot-8 veteran Conor Sheary, albeit with more upside at just 23 years old. But in this day and age, carrying two forwards that small is unusual.

Berard scored six goals in 35 NHL games last season, but he’s off to a less-than-ideal start in the AHL this season — with no points and a minus-5 rating. Granted, few players are shining on a Wolf Pack squad that’s struggled mightily through five games, but it’s not as if Berard had thoroughly outplayed Othmann to earn a call-up.

What the Rangers most desperately need is some help in their top six, especially with center Vincent Trocheck still out with an upper-body injury. The Rangers have had plenty of scoring chances but have struggled to turn those opportunities into goals, especially at home.

Rangers would love to improve Brennan Othmann’s trade value

Othmann has no goals on 26 shots on goal in the NHL, so bringing him up to boost the offense may not sound like the best of plans. Admittedly, the odds of him magically becoming a consistent goal-scorer don’t appear to be high. But if coach Mike Sullivan is looking for a young spark who could theoretically plug into the top six — and Perreault is off the table — Othmann’s offensive ceiling trumps that of Berard.

Assuming Rempe will be out for a bit, it’s worth at least seeing if Othmann can give the Rangers another scoring option.

But there could be more behind the callup than meets the eye. On Oct. 16, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported that Othmann was drawing interest from teams around the League.

Brennan Othmann:https://t.co/WyQAkmdUKY

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) October 16, 2025

Vince Mercogliano of The Athletic corroborated this report on Thursday.

“The Rangers have reached a point with Othmann where they are open to the idea of trading him,” Mercogliano said on his podcast, The Flying V. “It really sounds like any of the young wingers, they are open to the idea of trading, except for Perreault.”

Othmann is two years removed from a 21-goal season in the AHL and four years removed from a 50-goal, 97-point performance in the OHL. His value is no longer at the level that made him the top prospect in New York’s system.

Injury derailed his 2024-25 season in Hartford, and after an underwhelming showing in the NHL, the clock is ticking for a player who turns 23 on Jan. 5.

Brennan Othmann is one of the first to take the ice here in Calgary. #NYR pic.twitter.com/gCHJCh6mXE

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 25, 2025

Look no further than forward Vitali Kravtsov, the No. 9 overall pick in 2018, or defenseman Zac Jones, their 2019 third-round pick. Both were heralded prospects who the Rangers held on to even after their development stalled — ultimately netting little to no value.

The Blueshirts traded Kravtsov to the Vancouver Canucks in 2023, receiving a 2026 seventh-rounder and a player, William Lockwood, who they released at the conclusion of the season. Jones wasn’t tendered a qualifying offer after last season and signed with the Buffalo Sabres; he’s currently with their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

It would be a shame to see Othmann follow a similar path, and the Rangers can ill-afford yet another first-round total misfire to go along with Kravtsov and Lias Andersson (No. 7 overall in 2017).

Othmann said after practice Saturday he’s keying on playing, not trade talk.

“I can’t really focus really on that stuff,” he said. “That stuff’s really all online, and I don’t know what’s true. I don’t know what’s false. I’ve just been super focused with Hartford and trying to get back up here.

“I mean, it’s no secret. A couple of the guys in Hartford were asking me and telling me about it, but I honestly was just playing hockey and taking each day, day by day. Keep moving forward and focusing on getting back here and playing at the NHL level at some point this year. I think I did a good job with it.”

If nothing else, giving Othmann another chance to play in the NHL could let them showcase him for potential suitors. With his entry-level contract expiring after this season, general manager Chris Drury is running out of time to salvage any meaningful trade value. While Othmann won’t command the same return he might have several years ago, a strong showing could be enough to net the Rangers something more than a mid- or late-round draft pick.

Should Othmann draw into the lineup on a regular basis, he’ll have the opportunity to earn an NHL role — whether in New York or elsewhere.

Soucy ditched his red non-contact jersey for a regular sweater during New York’s morning skate, joining Braden Schneider on the third pairing. While coach Mike Sullivan labeled Soucy as a game-time decision, the 31-year-old confirmed he was feeling 100 percent and was ready to return.

“It looked worse than it was,” Soucy said of his injury, alluding to a scary moment during the second period of an Oct. 11 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins when he awkwardly went headfirst into the boards.

Soucy’s return — he played 10:10, the least among any of the six Rangers defensemen — resulted in 22-year-old defenseman Scott Morrow being reassigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL farm team, after practice. Urho Vaakanainen, who’s been a third-pairing regular, stayed behind with the other expected scratches and didn’t dress for a game for the first time this season.

New York acquired Soucy from the Vancouver Canucks in early March, sending a conditional 2025 third-round pick in return. He suited up for 16 games in the final six weeks of the 2024-25 season, tallying three points and a plus-2 rating. The 31-year-old began this season playing alongside Will Borgen on the second pair; he has one point, a goal, in three games.

How Soucy’s return affects Rangers’ blue line

1. Matthew Robertson vs Urho Vaakanainen

Soucy’s return forced one of New York’s other left-handed defensemen out of the lineup. Vladislav Gavrikov is ensconced on the first pair with Adam Fox, so that battle comes down to Matthew Robertson and Vaakanainen.

Robertson broke camp with the Rangers as their seventh defenseman, slotting into the lineup only after Soucy’s injury. Yet it’s Vaakanainen who spent Monday watching instead of playing.

Although Sullivan refrained from committing in either direction, he confirmed after the morning skate that Robertson has forced his way into the conversation with a strong four-game stretch.

The 24-year-old scored his first NHL goal in Saturday’s 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens and has settled in nicely alongside Borgen, showing a responsible defensive game. In more than 55 minutes together prior to Monday, the Robertson-Borgen duo led all Rangers defensive pairings with a 64.9 expected goals percentage, per MoneyPuck.

Robertson and Borgen skated together Monday morning, so it appears Sullivan will keep that tandem intact, even with Soucy returning.

Vaakanainen appeared in each of the first seven games, but his ice time had diminished due to Robertson’s strong play. After averaging more than 17 minutes in the first three games of the season, the former No. 18 overall pick hasn’t skated more than 14:10 in any of the four subsequent games with Robertson in the lineup.

In Saturday’s victory, Vaakanainen skated a season-low 12:22 and got just four shifts in the third period.

To echo Peter a bit here: #NYR Vaakanainen got 4 shifts in the 3rd period, Robertson got 8.

Vaakanainen didn't see the ice for the final 5:47 of play.

Robertson got 2 shifts inside the final 5 minutes, including being out there from 1:16 to 48 seconds remaining in the game. https://t.co/RjjTXEDs9M

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 19, 2025

As long as Robertson continues to impress, it’s going to be tough for Vaakanainen to get back into the lineup, barring another injury.

2. Scott Morrow returns to the AHL

The Rangers recalled Morrow after just one game with the Wolf Pack, wanting seven healthy defensemen available after a brief injury scare.

Borgen sustained a lower-body injury on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers and missed Wednesday’s practice. But he was in the lineup for Thursday’s 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs and played a season-high 20:45 on Saturday.

Morrow was a healthy scratch for both games, and with Soucy on track to return, the 22-year-old defenseman is headed back to Hartford, where he’ll play in all situations.

UPDATE: Scott Morrow has been assigned to the Hartford Wolf Pack.

— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) October 20, 2025

While Borgen’s injury created a temporary need for a reserve right-handed defenseman, Morrow’s two-game stint with the Rangers was spent in the press box. The second-round pick (No. 40 overall) in 2021 has played 16 NHL regular-season games, 14 of them last season with the Carolina Hurricanes; he also played five playoff games for the ‘Canes in the 2025 playoffs. Still, some more seasoning in the AHL will likely be to his benefit.

Morrow’s offensive skills are evident — he earned an AHL All-Star nod in 2024-25 after scoring 13 goals and putting up 39 points in 52 games. But he’s less polished on the other end of the ice. The Florida Panthers exploited this during the postseason, where Morrow was minus-5.

Morrow may find himself back in the NHL if there’s another injury, but unless a right-handed defenseman goes down, his path to playing time for now is in Hartford.

3. Soucy with Will Borgen — or Braden Schneider?

After playing with Borgen before his injury, Soucy is expected to play with Schneider on the third pair. While that’s likely more of a testament to the quick chemistry between Borgen and Robertson on the second pair, it’s worth monitoring how loyal Sullivan will be to the lines he showcased during Monday’s morning skate.

Schneider has enjoyed a strong start to the season and Soucy figures to be an upgrade over Vaakanainen, so keeping that pair together could yield a stronger defensive rotation.

That said, Borgen and Soucy were very effective together during New York’s first win of the season — a 4-0 victory over the Buffalo Sabres — sharing the ice for a pair of goals, one of which Soucy scored himself.

It’s hard to argue with the results Robertson and Borgen have enjoyed through four games, but if that changes, could Sullivan revert to a more-experienced second pair in which the 31-year-old Soucy replaces the 24-year-old Robertson? That likely hinges on Robertson’s play more than anything else.

On the one hand, the offense can’t seem to buy a goal. New York’s 1.83 goals per game (11 in six games) is next-to-last in the NHL. The Blueshirts have taken an NHL-high 182 shots entering Saturday’s game against the Canadiens in Montreal, but their 6.0 shooting percentage is dead last in the League (the Calgary Flames are next-to-last at 7.6 percent).

Juuso Parssinen’s deflection goal in the third period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday snapped an eight-period scoreless drought for the Rangers. But it wasn’t enough to give them a win. The Rangers got the “loser point” when Auston Matthews’ goal 58 seconds into overtime gave Toronto a 2-1 victory and handed the Rangers their third straight loss.

But while the offense has struggled, the Rangers have done an excellent job keeping the puck out of their own net.

New York entered the third period in Toronto trailing 1-0 but allowed just four shots on goal to a high-powered Maple Leafs offense. They managed a similar feat in a 2-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers, holding the reigning Western Conference champions to a season-low 22 shots and the deadly duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to just three shots combined.

The Rangers haven’t been able to enjoy the fruits of their labor yet, but it’s a striking change from the defensive woes that have plagued them.

“The shots are low, the chances are manageable,” MSG analyst Steve Valiquette noted postgame after the loss in Toronto. “This is the best defensive structure this team’s played with — minus a stretch two years ago when they won the Presidents’ Trophy. This is an amazing stretch to start the season.”

That might seem like an odd compliment to give a team that was in the top 10 in goals against average for three consecutive seasons from 2021-22 to 2023-24, including second place during Igor Shesterkin’s Vezina Trophy season in 2021-22. But those numbers were much more reflective of elite goaltending, headlined by Shesterkin, than of the defense in front of them.

Since 2021-22, the beginning of New York’s resurgence as a playoff contender, the Rangers have never finished top 10 in high-danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes (HDCA/60), according to Natural Stat Trick. The highest the Rangers ever ranked in that metric was 17th in the League in 2023-24, when they set team records for wins and points while winning the Presidents’ Trophy.

The issue was particularly striking last season, where New York finished fourth-worst in the NHL in HDCA/60. Even Shesterkin’s brilliance couldn’t save them — the Rangers finished 19th in GAA.

Contrast that with the metrics New York has posted through six games in 2025-26 — the Blueshirts lead the NHL with 7.44 HDCA/60, and have allowed the third-fewest scoring chances per 60.

I can't remember any point of my #NYR fandom where they out-chanced their opponents, strong opponents at that, for 3 straight games and lost all 3.

This trend is absolutely baffling, but I love to wake up and see these stats.

Per @NatStatTrick:

At 5v5, #NYR are 1st in…

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 17, 2025

The defensive miscues aren’t nonexistent, but they’re fewer and farther between. However, with the offense in a slump for the ages, even a handful of mistakes is too much.

in Toronto, the Leafs ended up with a 2-on-1 in overtime after Mika Zibanejad whiffed on a golden scoring opportunity. Defenseman Adam Fox made a full-body slide towards the puck carrier, William Nylander, but took himself out of the play — opening a lane for him to hit Matthews back-door for the game-winner.

In the loss to the Oilers, Urho Vaakanainen’s dump-in attempt ricocheted off a linesman at the Edmonton blue line. Trent Frederic wound up with the puck, stepped around Vaakanainen near the Rangers’ blue line and went in alone before beating Shesterkin between the pads — Edmonton’s only goal until hitting an empty net. But the Blueshirts couldn’t get anything past Stuart Skinner and were shut out for the third time in as many home games this season.

HAVE YOURSELF A NIGHT STUART SKINNER 🫡

That's a 30-save shutout for the @EdmontonOilers netminder 🥅 pic.twitter.com/ixLoM6KTiH

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 15, 2025

The most glaring error likely occurred in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins when Artemi Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere prematurely pushed up ice on a first-period defensive-zone face-off, vacating the front of the net. Justin Brazeau’s goal gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead, and they hit the empty net twice to win 3-0.

But aside from a few missteps, the blue line has played responsibly — and that even includes the 24-year-old Matthew Robertson, who’s filling in for the injured Carson Soucy. Meanwhile, the forwards have taken quickly to coach Mike Sullivan’s trademark forecheck, and it’s brought out the best in New York’s bottom six.

“You build all of your confidence early in the year,” Valiquette explained. “All of your trust — it can get broken or built, and it’s being built right now.”

But all that trust won’t mean much if the Rangers don’t start turning their scoring chances into goals — although if the new defensive structure continues to pay dividends, they won’t need to score at a League-best clip to win games.

New defensive structure making life easier for Igor Shesterkin

The Rangers lead the NHL with a 1.50 GAA — and when you dive deeper, it gets even more impressive.

Of the nine goals they’ve allowed, three have been empty-netters. That means New York’s goaltenders — Shesterkin and backup Jonathan Quick — have surrendered just six goals through six games.

The bulk of the credit goes to Shesterkin, who’s played five games and leads the NHL with a .962 save percentage and 8.1 goals saved above expected (GSAA), per MoneyPuck.

Igor Shesterkin…
2 wins in his first 5 games.
All 5 starts have been quality starts (+ goals saved above expected).
3 of the top 15 goalie performances this season (by GSAE).
Leads NHL in save % (min. 2 games), despite facing league-high 63 slot shots.
Leads NHL with 7.5 GSAE. pic.twitter.com/QwvksTS5fJ

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) October 17, 2025

“He’s been the best news, not just because he’s the brightest spot and has been the most noticeable, but it’s because of how they’ve protected him,” Valiquette said. “When you look at the odd-man rushes, they’re down 35 percent this year. The east-to-west chances, they’re down 72 percent. He’s allowed to make a read and be very confident with his positioning.”

Shesterkin signed an eight-year, $92 million extension last December ($11.5 million average annual value) — the largest deal ever given to an NHL goaltender. If he hadn’t already, he’s proving his worth this season.

SHESTYYYY

Igor Shesterkin has allowed just five goals through five games and has a .962 Sv%. 👀

📺: @NYRangers vs. @CanadiensMTL TONIGHT at 7p ET on @Sportsnet and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/Q03b1CnRxA

— NHL (@NHL) October 18, 2025

In past seasons, Shesterkin was the equalizer, capable of covering for New York’s defensive lapses with his ability to make athletic, high-danger saves. If the Rangers continue to play soundly in front of their star netminder, as they’ve done so far through six games, it may yield Shesterkin’s best season yet — and that’s a lofty bar.

The Rangers looked flat in their 2025-26 opener, falling 3-0 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in front of a sellout crowd at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Miller was among the many who struggled, failing to record a shot on goal, being credited with only one hit, and on ice for two empty-net goals in just over 18 minutes of ice time.

“I don’t think he played many games as a Ranger worse than that one last night” MSG network analyst and former NHL goaltender Steve Valiquette offered after the game. “He looked like he was carrying a piano at times, and that’s probably the injury and not being up to speed and pace.”

Miller sustained a lower-body injury in practice Sept. 29, which sidelined him for the remainder of the preseason. As such, the 14-year NHL veteran seemed a far cry from his typical self in the regular-season opener.

Miller acknowledged as much postgame.

“Not great. Kind of what I expected,” the Rangers captain told reporters when asked about his current physical state. “Legs were heavy today. I haven’t had a whole lot of reps, but that will come with time.”

Appearing in just one of New York’s six preseason games, Miller wasn’t the only key forward limited during training camp. Star left wing Artemi Panarin was held out of the preseason entirely after a lower-body injury scare and, later, an upper-body issue. Neither player looked particularly sharp on Tuesday night.

“Those two guys are jumping on a moving train,” coach Mike Sullivan admitted after practice on Wednesday. “When you miss that much time, it’s not easy to jump back into an NHL game, an NHL pace, and just even from a conditioning standpoint. We’ll take each day as it comes, and we’ll try to manage it accordingly.”

Lines at practice remained identical to those rolled out for the season opener, so both Panarin and Miller appear good to go Thursday night against the Buffalo Sabres.

J.T. Miller injury has wide-reaching effects on Rangers

Miller and Sullivan threaded a fine line postgame, affirming that the losing effort was not reflective of their expectations, while asserting that it was still the first game of the season, with plenty of time for improvement.

The bottom line is the Rangers won’t win many games with efforts like the one Tuesday. And if Miller is as physically hindered as he appeared, that’s a significant roadblock to the Rangers getting back on track.

“It’s early, of course, but he knows it gets late early in the NHL,” warned Valiquette. “The first 10 games, you can get left in the dust and it’s over.”

On numerous levels, Miller is a tone-setter for the Rangers.

New York’s bottom six, as presently constructed, combined for 21 NHL goals last season. Granted, third-line center Noah Laba made his NHL debut on Tuesday, and veteran winger Conor Sheary appeared in just five games with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2024-25. Nonetheless, the point stands — neither of the bottom two lines should be relied on for much production.

It’s no indictment of the bottom six. In fact, the Rangers’ third and fourth lines were fairly effective in an otherwise drab season opener, and fit well within the design of Sullivan’s system.

It does, however, place considerable weight on a top-heavy first two lines, led by Panarin, who had 89 points last season and 120 in 2023-24, to drive the offense. Should it falter, there may not be enough scoring punch in New York’s checking lines to pick up the slack — as evidenced by the shutout loss in the season opener.

Just two seasons removed from a career-best 37-goal, 103-point season with the Vancouver Canucks, Miller figures to be a catalyst — and that’s especially true for his linemates.

Miller centers two of the biggest X-factors for the Rangers. On his left is 23-year-old Will Cuylle, fresh off a breakout 20-goal season and looking to cement himself as a fixture in New York’s top six. On his right, the mercurial Mika Zibanejad, looking to recapture his once-dominant scoring touch as he begins the 2025-26 campaign on the wing.

Zibanejad showed some promising bursts against Pittsburgh, pacing the Rangers with seven shots on goal. It was a less impressive showing for Cuylle, who finished with the worst HockeyStatCards impact card of any player on either side — and Miller wasn’t far behind.

NHL GameScore Impact Card for New York Rangers on 2025-10-07: pic.twitter.com/5OwyUaWST6

— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) October 8, 2025

NHL GameScore Impact Card for Pittsburgh Penguins on 2025-10-07: pic.twitter.com/yNBm64GYYL

— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) October 8, 2025

While the trio led all lines in high-danger chances (per Natural Stat Trick), Miller’s impaired mobility hindered their ability to generate offense consistently.

Then there’s the element of Miller’s game that might not always manifest in a stat sheet.

In September, the Rangers named the 32-year-old as their captain, hoping he could spark some much-needed change for a team seeking to rebound from a disappointing collapse the season prior.

Beyond his offensive talent, Miller is a hard-nosed, no-nonsense, physical player capable of doing the dirty work — attributes the Rangers are eager to embrace. But it was those aspects of his game that appeared to evade Miller as he labored through the opener Tuesday.

“I’m just doing everything I can to get the game legs ready,” Miller noted Wednesday. “Obviously, last week, I wasn’t doing a whole lot, so it’s hard to jump in, but unfortunately, it’s one of those things that I just gotta do as much as I can to get my body ready sooner.”

It should come as no surprise if Miller serves as New York’s barometer this season, capable of swaying the team’s fortunes through his own play, good or bad.

Whether it’s a simple matter of reps or a lingering concern remains to be seen, although New York should certainly hope for the former. They’ll need a healthy and effective Miller if they’re to achieve the success they envision this season.

One day before the start of the 2025-26 season, the three-time Hart Trophy winner re-upped with the Edmonton Oilers on a two-year contract extension worth $12.5 million annually. After leading the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances but falling both times to the Florida Panthers, McDavid is keeping the championship window open in Edmonton for at least another three seasons, inking a team-friendly deal that reinforces his promise to bring a championship to the city of Edmonton.

Connor McDavid extension: 2x$12.5M AAV

Wow!

Oilers captain extends the runway to make good on his promise to bring the Stanley Cup to Edmonton, and leaves a pile of money on the table to do it

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 6, 2025

He’s just the latest superstar to sign an extension ahead of the upcoming offseason, following winger Kaprill Kaprizov, who signed an NHL-record 8-year, $17 million average annual value (AAV) deal on September 30 to stay with the Minnesota Wild.

That wave has only continued one day into the 2025-26 season, with Kyle Connor signing the richest contract in Winnipeg Jets history — eight years for $96 million — while Jack Eichel put pen to paper on an eight-year, $13.5 million AAV deal with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Both were long-shot targets for the Rangers next summer. Instead, New York is left staring at an upcoming free agent class that’s boasting less star power with every day.

McDavid was set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at the close of the 2025-26 season. Though he expressed desire to remain with the Oilers, the Rangers seemed well-positioned to scoop up the future Hall of Famer if he ever reached the open market.

The Rangers have the requisite salary cap space to make a splash next offseason with Artemi Panarin’s $11.6 million AAV contract coming off the books. At the very top of the wish list was McDavid, who’s surpassed the 100-point mark in eight of the past nine seasons, leading the League five times.

While the prospect of a McDavid-Rangers union isn’t completely dead, as the 28-year-old will become a free agent once again after the 2027-28 season, it certainly takes a little luster away from a 2025-26 offseason that could be transformational for New York — if they play their cards right.

Here’s who the Rangers can still target with McDavid off the table.

Related: Rangers prospect Scott Morrow gets massive compliment: ‘Jack Eichel of the blue line’ in college

Martin Necas (Colorado Avalanche) — UFA

There isn’t another McDavid, or even another Eichel, in this upcoming free agent class. But Martin Necas might be the next best thing — and his future with the Colorado Avalanche is far less certain.

After they were unable to come to terms on an extension with Mikko Rantanen last season, the Avalanche flipped the star winger to the Carolina Hurricanes for a package headlined by Necas. The 26-year-old wing will play out the final season of a two-year, $6.5 million AAV deal before entering free agency next summer, when he’s due for a sizeable pay raise.

Whether it’s via midseason trade, a la Rantanen, or offseason negotiations, the Rangers could make a compelling suitor. After watching him suit up with their Metropolitan Division rivals for the better part of eight years, New York is well-versed in his game.

Necas is a talented offensive threat capable of playing both center and wing, and fresh off a career-high 83-point campaign. A capable scorer and playmaker, he’d be an exciting addition and would afford the Rangers similar lineup flexibility to that of J.T. Miller. He may not be in the same elite tier as McDavid or Eichel, but it would still be a big splash that gives the Blueshirts a versatile piece in their top six.

Artemi Panarin (New York Rangers) — UFA

Sometimes a shiny new toy can be more exciting than a familiar face, but it’s very possible that New York’s biggest move next offseason is simply re-signing Panarin.

Arguably the most successful free-agent signing in Rangers history, Panarin’s game has aged gracefully into his age-34 season. The Russian winger paced the Rangers in scoring each season since he signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract in the summer of 2019, and there’s no reason to think 2025-26 will be any different.

Panarin becomes a UFA at season’s end. Drury and the Rangers wisely remained conservative with their negotiations until the free agent class becomes more transparent, but Panarin could very well be one of the top options come July of 2026.

That said, he’s not without detractors. Beyond the typical concerns that come with an aging forward, Panarin hasn’t been able to carry his dominant offensive pace into the postseason during his tenure in New York. Still, if the Rangers can land him on a cheaper deal, it may be worth pursuing. Plus, given the recent wave of extensions, they might not have much of a choice.

Related: Artemi Panarin turns down Rangers’ team-friendly proposal: report

Adrian Kempe (Los Angeles Kings) — UFA

If the Rangers seek a younger replacement for Panarin, Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe could be high on their list. The 29-year-old tallied 30-plus goals in three of the past four seasons and comes off a brilliant postseason campaign, notching four goals and 10 points in just five contests.

He’ll likely cost more than a mid-30s Panarin — that is, if the Kings even let him reach free agency. Kempe hasn’t yet eclipsed the 80-point mark in his nine-year NHL career, but he’s a proven goal scorer with a strong postseason resume.

Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars) — RFA

A lot would have to go right for the Rangers to have a crack at signing Jason Robertson, who will become a restricted free agent (RFA) after the 2025-26 season. But if a lane opened, he’s a player worth throwing the kitchen sink at.

The 26-year-old winger is a two-time 40-goal scorer, with career highs of 46 goals and 109 points in the 2022-23 season. He’s a clear-cut top-line winger with one of the sharpest shots in the League.

The Dallas Stars own exclusive negotiating rights and expressed interest in retaining one of their best young players. One thing working in New York’s favor, as well as any other potential suitor, is Dallas’ current cap situation. The Stars have already issued a slew of major long-term deals to Rantanen, Roope Hintz, Wyatt Johnston, Miro Heiskanen, and Jake Oettinger — and Robertson might end up commanding the most expensive deal yet.

If Dallas entertains sign-and-trade offers, it won’t come cheaply. It’s hard to fathom the Rangers obtaining Robertson without having to give up Alexis Lafreniere, Gabe Perreault, and more. Then again, you’d be lucky if either Lafreniere or Perreault match the success that Robertson has in the NHL already.

But in the preseason, wins and losses often take a back seat to the eye test, with line chemistry, key positional races, and rookies trying to make the varsity taking on greater importance.

The Rangers find themselves at a pivotal crossroads entering the 2025-26 season. With the hiring of two-time Stanley Cup champion head coach Mike Sullivan, New York seeks redemption after they failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in four years. At the same time, there’s pressure to develop a promising young core — headlined by 2023 first-round pick Gabe Perreault — and usher in a new era of Rangers hockey.

Accomplishing both will be a tricky tight-rope to navigate for the Rangers, putting the preseason battle between the exciting yet inexperienced youngsters and seasoned, less flashy veterans under a microscope.

Of course, the preseason isn’t always an accurate indicator of regular-season success. It was but two years ago that Alexis Lafreniere and Jonathan Quick floundered in camp, only for the former to post career highs in goals and points, and the latter enjoyed a resurgent season as New York’s backup goalie.

With that in mind, here are the winners and losers from the Rangers exhibition slate.

Winner — Noah Laba

The 22-year-old center is the talk of the town — and for good reason. The fourth-round pick from 2022 burst onto the scene in his first NHL training camp, leading the Rangers with six points in six games and tying Perreault for the team lead with two goals.

Beyond his point-per-game pace, Laba played a complete 200-foot game and appeared to be a capable penalty killer as well. Though their profiles don’t perfectly align, it’s reminiscent of Will Cuylle’s 2023-24 preseason, when the then-20-year-old forward led the Blueshirts in points and earned a top-nine role to begin the regular season.

Congratulations to Noah Laba on winning the Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award, given annually to the top #NYR rookie in training camp as selected by the media. 👏 pic.twitter.com/gxBm8nVm8q

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 6, 2025

Laba’s path to starting on opening day is clouded by a handful of veterans, one of whom would need to pass through waivers to create space on the roster for the exciting youngster. While it would be exciting to see him get run from the jump, the alternative — first line reps alongside Perrault in the AHL — isn’t too bad either. Regardless, Laba left a lasting impression this preseason and has all but cemented an NHL call-up this season, whether it be right now or somewhere down the road.

Winner — Gabe Perreault

Sure, Perreault starts his first pro season in the minors, but the 20-year-old made a solid first impression on Sullivan and the Rangers coaching staff. The 2023 first-rounder didn’t shy away from the dirty areas of the ice, won puck battles along the boards and in the corners, displayed high-end skill and hockey IQ, and had four points (two goals, two assists) in five games.

Perreault will only benefit from playing major minutes in Hartford. And he’ll be back to help the Rangers at some point this season. Count on it.

Winners — Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov

Fox and Gavrikov were tethered at the hip during training camp, working as New York’s top defense pair. Each was productive in the preseason — Fox tallied a pair of assists, while Gavrikov netted a goal and led the Rangers with a plus-3 rating. Stats aside, this preseason confirmed the enticing prospect of pairing New York’s best playmaker on the blue line with an elite shutdown defenseman.

It’s easy to see why the Rangers signed Gavrikov to a seven-year, $49 million free-agent deal in the offseason. The 29-year-old seems the perfect fit to bring out the best in Fox, the 2020-21 Norris Trophy winner who’s looking to bounce back from somewhat of a down season in 2024-25 — at least by his elite standards.

The two looked compatible in preseason action, and if Gavrikov doesn’t lose a step from his days with the Los Angeles Kings, he’ll be far and away the best partner Fox has played with in the NHL. No offense to Ryan Lindgren but Gavrikov has a higher offensive ceiling and graded out as one of the top defensive defensemen last season. There are plenty of questions surrounding New York’s blue line, but the No. 1 pair shouldn’t be one of them.

Winner — Conor Sheary

After failing to lock down a consistent NHL role with the Tampa Bay Lightning the past two seasons, Conor Sheary joined the Rangers for training camp on a professional tryout (PTO). The undersized (5-foot-8) forward was a pleasant surprise this preseason, notching a goal and two assists in four games.

Moreover, the 33-year-old displayed a non-stop motor and ability to play both sides of the puck effectively. That could make him a solid third-line addition. But Sheary’s not a lock to make the NHL roster, and has considerably less upside than some of New York’s prospects. He is an intriguing option nonetheless. Sheary spent the better part of three seasons playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins under Sullivan, helping them win consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017. That familiarity could make the difference as to whether Sheary lands a standard NHL contract or not.

Loser — Brennan Othmann

Brennan Othmann showed improvement after a rough preseason debut, but it wasn’t enough to land a spot on the opening-night roster. The 2021 first-round pick appeared in 22 games across the final three months of the 2024-25 season, and while his stats (two assists) left plenty to be desired, the hope was that Othmann would earn a spot in the top nine this season, particularly after the offseason trade of Chris Kreider.

The most interesting cut is Othmann. I'm a little surprised they're doing it now, but the writing has been on the wall. He's fallen behind Berard, Perreault and Sheary for what likely amounts to one spot. It's a numbers game that will result in most kids starting in the AHL #NYR https://t.co/xoBxJVWAZe

— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 30, 2025

Instead, Othmann starts the 2025-26 season with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the AHL, just as he did the prior two campaigns. It’s not the end of the world for a once-lauded prospect who’s still only 22 years old, but it certainly feels like a letdown. Othmann was sent down before Perreault, Laba, and Brett Berard, indicating he might not be one of the first call-ups either.

Loser — Matt Rempe

For all his warts, Matt Rempe proved himself an effective and valuable fourth-liner for the Rangers in the second half of last season. Unfortunately, some of his inconvenient flaws persist as he enters his third NHL season.

Rempe appeared in five of six games, recording a team-worst rating of minus-five this preseason. New York was out-chanced 16-to-28 with Rempe on the ice, the fourth-worst percentage of any Rangers skater. Issues with puck control and stringing together passes linger as well.

Rempe’s best assets remain his size (6-foot-9), physicality, work ethic, eagerness, and surprisingly good skating ability. But his role in the fourth line may remain inconsistent until he tightens up the other areas of his game.

Loser — The defense corps

The loss Saturday in Boston was a less-than-ideal showing, especially with the entirety of New York’s projected blue line in action. The Rangers overcommitted on multiple plays, leaving the net-front open for the Bruins to capitalize.

Braden Schneider, returning from labrum surgery, posted the fourth-worst xGF percentage on the team. Urho Vaakanainen and Will Borgen both sat under 50 percent in the same metric. Outside of Fox and Gavrikov, the Rangers defense corps could be a significant problem, and this preseason did little to alleviate any concerns.

In between — Juuso Parssinen

When the Rangers shipped Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey to the Colorado Avalanche before the 2025 NHL trade deadline, Juuso Parssinen was part of the return package. While many fans clamor for Laba to land the third-line center role, it feels like it’s always been Parssinen’s job to lose.

Parssinen didn’t dazzle in preseason like Laba, but he’s put together a solid enough stretch nonetheless, tallying a goal and an assist — and playing decent defensively — in five games. He’s got good size at 6-foot-3 and, despite being drafted back in 2017, is just 24 years old. Parssinen wasn’t particularly memorable in 11 games with the Blueshirts last season so the leash could be short, especially after Laba’s emergence, but he’s probably worth another look in the NHL to see if he can put his tools to use. It doesn’t hurt that he’s versatile and can also play on the wing.

In between — Scott Morrow

Scott Morrow was an exciting return piece from the Carolina Hurricanes in the K’Andre Miller trade this summer, just 23 years old and fresh off an All-Star campaign in the AHL. The No. 40 overall pick from the 2021 draft has good puck skills and profiles as a quarterback for the second power-play unit.

Despite some valid excitement surrounding his arrival and potential role in the NHL, Morrow was assigned to Hartford along with Perreault on Friday. Morrow had a decent preseason, notching two points (one goal, one assist) and was minus-two in five games.

Though disappointing that a talented puck mover couldn’t earn a spot out of a camp, he’ll log valuable minutes with the Wolf Pack and likely run the top power-play unit. It’s also worth noting that, barring an injury to one of New York’s right-shot defensemen, Morrow’s promotion would likely force Schneider to his off (left) side. While Sullivan doesn’t seem to be against that, he’s opting to start the year with Schneider on his dominant side and Vaakanainen to his left.

One quickly emerging bright spot is the defensive pairing of K’Andre Miller and Will Borgen.

Neither had been performing at a particularly high level this season. In fact, both Miller and Borgen are statistically in the midst of career-worst seasons

After recording just two points and a minus-13 rating in 33 games with the Seattle Kraken this season, Borgen was sent to New York as part of the return for Kaapo Kakko back in mid-December.

Miller, meanwhile, has just two goals and seven points on a career-worst 3.4 shooting percentage and a minus-3 rating. For context, Miller has never finished a season with a negative plus-minus.

Despite their first-half struggles, they’ve found some success playing next to each other.

Rangers coach Peter Laviolette paired the two when Miller returned from an upper-body injury on Dec. 28. While they didn’t gel right from the jump, they’ve quickly built chemistry and have arguably become the Rangers’ best two-way defensive pairing.

Borgen’s simple and steady play, particularly in the defensive zone, has made him a strong complement to the more aggressive Miller, who has a lot of offensive potential but is also prone to turnovers and defensive lapses.

It’s a philosophy we see across the NHL — pairing a defensive-minded defenseman with a partner who takes chances and can produce at the offensive end — and the Rangers have had one of the most successful examples in recent memory.

Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren became a staple together back in the 2019-20 season, becoming one of the Rangers’ best two-way pairings for consecutive seasons.

As Fox won the Norris Trophy in 2020-21, the duo generated a 58.6 expected goals for percentage, a metric that calculates the team’s scoring chances generated and allowed while the pairing is on the ice. That led the Rangers and ranked 11th across the entire league according to MoneyPuck (minimum 150 minutes). The two would lead the Rangers’ defensive pairings in that metric for four straight seasons, ending in 2022-23.

This is not to say that Miller will ascend to the level of Fox or that Borgen will ascend to the defensive consistency that made Lindgren so valuable, prior to injuries taking a toll in the past couple of seasons. But it shows that the Rangers have found success with this general framework before.

The same metrics that favored Fox and Lindgren also favor Miller and Borgen right now.

Through 10 games, Miller and Borgen lead all active D-pairings and rank third on the team with a 55.8 percent xGF (minimum 20 minutes), trailing only Miller and Fox (67 percent) and Jacob Trouba and Braden Schneider (57.4 percent).

It’s measured slightly differently on Natural Stat Trick, but Miller and Borgen are still positive at 50.98 percent xGF; they lead all active pairs and are third on the team.

NEVER LOOKED BACK.

Borgy with a rip. pic.twitter.com/x1kjFSLNhe

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 5, 2025

Plus, in terms of goals for percentage, which simply measures the goals a team scores and allows while both players are on the ice, Miller and Borgen rank fifth at 56.25 percent (9 GF / 7 GA), which once again leads all active pairs.

One last analytical dive, if you’ll allow — there’s a wonderful site called Hockey StatCards which uses Natural Stat Trick’s hockey data in order to generate individual game scores for every skater in every game. Of course, the higher the game score, the better.

In five of the last seven games, one or both of the Miller-Borgen pair has finished top five on the team in game score. In New York’s 6-2 win against the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 5, Miller and Borgen stood atop the chart with game scores of 4.34 and 4.17 respectively — both season-highs by a significant margin. Miller’s game score ranked fourth among all NHL skaters that night.

It’s arguably more impressive for Borgen, who has not been an analytics darling this season and still has bottom 10th percentile defensive metrics — perhaps due to his extended struggles in Seattle. Borgen had just four positive game scores in 33 games with the Kraken this season but already got six in his 13 games with the Rangers.

Borgen has been a welcome addition in New York, and his steady play has seemingly emboldened Miller to play with more confidence and even a little more physicality. Plus, Laviolette seems to agree that they’ve been meshing well.

“I think they’ve done a really good job together,” Laviolette told Mollie Walker of the New York Post. “They take tough starts, they take top players. They’re both big, they both can skate. The pairs seem to be getting stronger as they get a little more accustomed to each other.”

What it means for the future of the Rangers is yet to be determined, but they’ve certainly stumbled upon a top-4 pairing.

Related: New York Rangers ready for crucial weekend back-to-back after successful road trip

Questions remain about defensemen’s futures with Rangers

Both Borgen and Miller are due for new contracts at the end of the season. Borgen is set to become an unrestricted free agent while Miller is up for his first season of restricted free agency. As of now, neither’s future with the Rangers is a certainty.

At age 24 and with elite athletic abilities, Miller’s ceiling still remains sky high. But inconsistency throughout the course of five seasons has kept him from ascending to the level of a true top-line defensemen. He’ll break out for a mind-blowing goal every once in a while, but he hasn’t become the steady offensive contributor that his skills could make him.

What an effort on this goal from K'Andre Miller pic.twitter.com/KRtUfh2mr1

— Shayna (@shaynagoldman_) December 18, 2022

More concerning are the recurring issues on the defensive end. Mental lapses and missed rotations have led to easy goals for opponents while his inconsistent physical play is disappointing for someone with a dominant 6-foot-5 frame.

Even during the recent stretch when Miller has largely shined, his defensive-zone turnover late in the third against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 7 led to directly to the game-tying goal. The Rangers went on to lose 5-4 in overtime.

Is a strong second half enough to secure the long-term deal from the Rangers that he seeks? Perhaps so. And if the Rangers are fond of Borgen as well, that could bode well for both sticking around.

I still believe K’Andre Miller can be a top defensemen, and one of the best complete players in the league…if he commits to a more demanding brand of hockey.

He’s got the tools, now he’s gotta put them all together.
Will he?

Thoughts?#nhl #hockey #rangers #nyr #miller… pic.twitter.com/DQUT2qL0mZ

— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) November 11, 2024

Borgen’s future is an entirely different conversation. Obviously, there’s no guarantee he’s here next season, but there’s not even a guarantee that he’ll be here in March after the NHL Trade Deadline.

Even with the Rangers’ recent surge, it’s still plausible that general manager Chris Drury might look to move some of his expiring contracts to collect future assets. Borgen, among others, falls into that camp.

“I think the guys to look at are probably Borgen and Lindgren because you can get stuff for defensemen,” The Athletic’s Peter Baugh told Blueshirts Breakaway when asked who the Rangers will look to move at the deadline.

But, of course, that would mean breaking up one of your must successful D-pairs and trading away a defenseman who has found success in your system. Considering some of the defensive issues the Blueshirts have suffered this season, trading away a 28-year-old who plays well in the D-zone could backfire.

“I think the question with Borgen is — do you extend him?” Baugh added. “Do you see him as a defensive defensemen you’re gonna keep around long term? And if you do, it’s probably worth not getting a second-round pick to lock him up.”

Jonny Lazarus of Daily Faceoff chimed in on his support of keeping Borgen this season, complimenting his simple and physical game. It does feel like that’s something that had been missing from the Rangers’ back end.

Not sure how all you #NYR fans feel, but I wouldn’t mind them hanging onto Will Borgen instead of trading him for assets.

He plays such a sound, simple and physical game.

— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) January 17, 2025

Trading Borgen would certainly be a blow to any hopes of playoff contention this season.

It’s not hard to envision him as a steady, reliable defensemen on a contending team. If the Rangers believe they can return to the highest echelon and chase a Stanley Cup as early as next season, perhaps it is worth keeping him around and extending him on a two- or three-year deal.

But with so many questions surrounding the state of the roster, a steady defensemen may not be tops on the priority list. And if Borgen does leave in free agency, the Rangers will have missed their chance at getting some value back in the form of an early-round draft pick.

The Rangers have placed themselves in an odd sort of limbo thanks to their strong January start. If it continues, they may very well work themselves back into the mess of a playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.

Borgen and Miller have been at the forefront of that resurgence. But with so many questions about the Rangers’ future as team, their future remains clouded as well.

Actually, Saturday wasn’t actually a complete day off for the Rangers or their coach – there was an optional midday practice. But after a Friday that saw a solid 4-2 win over the division rival Pittsburgh Penguins become almost an afterthought, it was a dose of tranquility after one of the most turbulent days in recent Rangers history.

There was an unfamiliar face at practice. Defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, wearing No. 18 on a green no-contact jersey, was on the ice for the first time with his new team. The 25-year-old defenseman, who hasn’t played since Nov. 13 because of an upper-body injury, said he was running on about three hours sleep after he was traded to the Rangers in the deal that sent defenseman Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks.

“He’s on IR, but he’s out there, so that’s good,” Laviolette said after practice. “He’s starting to mix in. He’s moving around.”

The No. 18 pick (by the Boston Bruins) in the 2017 draft figures to be a bottom-pair defenseman if and when he’s healthy – something that’s been a challenge. Vaakanainen was placed on injured reserve by the Ducks on Wednesday. When asked after practice if his new player was day to day or week to week, Laviolette said only “Somewhere in there.”

Someone who wasn’t there was Trouba, their now-former captain, who figures to make his debut with Anaheim on Monday night in Montreal against the Canadiens. Trouba made it clear after being traded Friday that while he loved New York and playing for the Rangers, he wasn’t thrilled about the way it all ended – going back to the summer, when the Rangers sought to get him to waive his no-trade clause. He also said he was told to accept a trade or be placed on waivers, meaning that he wouldn’t be able to control where he played next.

“I’ll be honest, I was put in a position this summer to make a decision between my career and my family and I chose my family,” Trouba told ESPN on Friday night. “I would choose my family 100 times over again. I don’t feel bad about that. I was happy about it. I don’t like that it was made public necessarily or how everything unfolded so publicly, but I guess that’s part of New York and what happens. It made it difficult to play, kind of with that hanging over everything.

“The result is the result. I’m happy with moving forward, but I’m not overly thrilled with how it went down. In my opinion, things could’ve been handled better. I’m not blaming anybody or anything, just kind of how it happened I thought was kind of unfortunate.”

Trouba had been captain of the Rangers since 2022-23 but said his lame duck status made him ineffective in that role.

“I was pretty open with players on the team,” he said. “Leading was a little bit harder for me in that situation, knowing things were public.”

For now, according to Laviolette, there are no plans to name a successor to Trouba.

“Not right now,” he said after practice when asked about choosing a new captain. “We’ve got a leadership group that we’ve been dealing with the whole time. Right now, we’re moving forward with that.”

The benefit of Trouba’s departure for the Rangers was that they didn’t have to retain any money on his $8 million average annual value contract, which runs through next season. Not only does that give general manager Chris Drury some wiggle room to add players between now and the NHL Trade Deadline, it helped to make possible the other major part of Friday’s craziness.

Not long after the Trouba trade became official, media reports began to surface that Igor Shesterkin was about to realize his dream of being the highest-paid goaltender in NHL history by agreeing to an eight-year, $92 million contract. The Rangers announced the eight-year agreement on Saturday, though the team didn’t reveal money terms, but Puckpedia says it has an average annual value of $11.5 million. That’s $1 million more than the contract Carey Price signed with Montreal in the summer of 2017 – one that the Canadiens will pay through the end of 2025-26 even though Price hasn’t played since 2022 because of injuries.

Related: What’s next for Rangers after Jacob Trouba trade

Coach admits Friday was ’emotional day’ for Rangers

Shesterkin was the first goaltender off the ice at practice Saturday, which indicates that he’ll start Sunday afternoon against the Seattle Kraken, but there was no news about the status of his contract extension.

In the end, Laviolette was pleased with the way his team played Friday after all the hubbub about the trade.

“It’s always a tough day,” he said. “He’s a terrific teammate, (terrific) person, (did a) really good job here with the New York Rangers, being the captain. It (was) an emotional day for everybody. I thought we were able to get past that, and when we got past that we had a pretty decent morning skate, and then that transferred into the game last night. So I think that’s a positive.”

But don’t be surprised if Laviolette takes it easy for the rest of his birthday. Between a roller-coaster Friday and back-to-back home games Sunday and Monday (against the Chicago Blackhawks), he figures to be happy to have a chance to unwind.

The Rangers’ 4-3 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, which ended a five-game losing streak, was the first of five consecutive games at Madison Square Garden, including all three this week. Even better is that after their game against the New Jersey Devils on Monday, the Rangers get three days off — something they haven’t had since Nov. 4-6.

No doubt coach Peter Laviolette and his staff will use some of the time off to work on defensive-zone coverage. The Rangers struggled in their own zone throughout their losing streak, and their streak-ending win came largely on the strength of three power-play goals, including Kaapo Kakko’s game-winner with 24 seconds remaining in regulation. New York was outscored 3-1 at 5-on-5, and Montreal had 15 of the 21 high-danger chances, according to Natural Stat Trick.

The Canadiens trailed 3-1 after two periods but forced the Rangers into numerous turnovers and errors in the third, with Cole Caufield and Nick Suzuki scoring to tie the game 3-3 before Kakko’s goal, so there’s work to be done.

Defensive-zone struggles were paramount in the three losses last week that preceded the win against Canadiens. They were outscored 3-0 in the third period of a 5-2 home loss to the St. Louis Blues on Monday and couldn’t hold off the Carolina Hurricanes’ third-period surge in a 4-3 loss two nights later. Friday’s 3-1 loss at Philadelphia saw the Flyers score two early goals 70 seconds apart, bombard Igor Shesterkin with the first 10 shots of the game and give the puck away 18 times.

At 13-9-1, the Rangers enter the week holding the first wild card position in the Eastern Conference — they’re even in points with the Flyers, but Philadelphia has played two more games. However, they’re six points behind the third-place Hurricanes in the Metropolitan Division, where the top three teams – the ‘Canes, Devils and first-place Washington Capitals — are separated by two points.

Who’s hot

Will Cuylle has been the Rangers’ best player recently. His behind-the-back pass set up Kakko’s winning goal Saturday and extended his points streak to four games. He’s second on the team with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) despite averaging just 14:40 of ice time through 23 games. Cuylle also leads the Rangers in hits and is tied for fifth in the NHL with 94.

Rookie forward Brett Berard has added a shot of energy since being called up from AHL Hartford. He had an assist in his NHL debut on Monday, scored his first goal two nights later and hasn’t looked out of place. He got the chance to play when Chris Kreider missed three games with back spasms; when Kreider returned Saturday, Laviolette kept him in the lineup.

Who’s not

Reilly Smith was the healthy scratch when Berard dressed against the Canadiens. Smith hasn’t scored a goal in nine games, a stretch that has seen him contribute just three assists. His average ice time for the season is down to 15:28, and he’s played less than 15 minutes in each of his two previous appearances before being scratched Saturday.

Alexis Lafreniere had an assist on Artemi Panarin’s first-period power-play goal against Montreal, but he’s gone five games without a goal and is minus-6 in that span, dropping him to minus-10 for the season.

Related: Rangers injury update: Filip Chytil’s cryptic comments overshadow promising return

Rangers lookahead this week includes …

The middle three games of their five-game homestand, with two of the three against division rivals.

New Jersey Devils at Rangers (Dec. 2, 7 p.m. ET; MSG/NHL Network)

The cross-Hudson rivals meet for the first time this season, with the Devils coming to town after a 6-5 loss at Washington on Saturday. Offense is not a problem for New Jersey; the Devils are second in the NHL with 94 goals. Jesper Bratt (31), Jack Hughes (30) and Nico Hischier (27, including 15 goals) are 1-2-3 in points, and New Jersey has gotten a boost from Stefan Noesen’s 13 goals, six of which have come on the power play.

The offseason addition of goaltender Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames has made a big difference after last season’s chaos in the crease. Markstrom is 11-6-1 with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. Markstrom has excelled against the Rangers in his career; he’s 9-4-2 with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage.

Artemi Panarin, the Rangers’ top scorer, has thrived against the Devils. He has 43 points (14 goals, 29 assists) and is plus-18 against New Jersey.

Also Read:
Rangers new-look lines spark win over Canadiens, but jury’s still out after closer evaluation

Pittsburgh Penguins at Rangers (Dec. 6, 7 p.m. ET; Hulu/ESPN+)

The Penguins make their first trip of the season to the Garden looking to avenge a season-opening 6-0 wipeout by the Rangers, a night that saw them dominated in every phase of the game in front of their home fans.

Pittsburgh’s problem has been keeping the puck out of the net. They’re the first team to allow 100 goals this season despite tightening up some last week, when they swept three games and allowed a combined total of three goals in back-to-back wins against the Boston Bruins on Friday and Calgary Flames on Saturday. Protecting leads has been an issue; the Penguins have lost a league-leading five times when leading by multiple goals.

Sidney Crosby has 108 points (40 goals, 68 assists) in 86 career games against the Rangers, his third-highest total against any team. The Rangers have had more success against Evgeni Malkin, who has 70 points (31 goals, 39 assists) in 70 games. Igor Shesterkin is 8-5-2 after his shutout of the Penguins on opening night, which lowered his career GAA against Pittsburgh to 1.94 and improved his save percentage to .930.

Seattle Kraken at Rangers (Dec. 8, 1 p.m. ET; MSG/NHL Network)

The Rangers have never lost in regulation to the NHL’s newest franchise. They are 6-0-1, including a 2-0 victory at Seattle on Nov. 17 that saw Jonathan Quick earn his 62nd NHL shutout. New York has won all three games against Seattle against Madison Square Garden.

The Kraken, who entered the week having allowed 17 goals while losing their past three games, have scored a total of 12 goals in their seven games against the Rangers. Shesterkin has faced Seattle five times, going 4-0-1 with a 2.18 GAA and .934 save percentage.

New York could get its first-ever look at Joey Daccord, who has taken over the No. 1 goaltending job in Seattle. He’s never faced the Rangers.

The Rangers led 3-1 after two periods and appeared on their way to a comfortable streak-snapping victory against their longtime rivals, who sit 30th in the NHL this season. But Montreal captain Nick Suzuki set up Cole Caufield’s goal early in the third period, then tied the game by beating Jonathan Quick with 5:53 remaining in regulation. However, Montreal’s Kirby Dach took a double minor for high-sticking Mika Zibanejad with 2:40 remaining, and Kakko scored a power-play goal in the final seconds of regulation for the win.

The five-game losing streak was New York’s longest skid since they dropped five straight from Apr. 29-May 5, 2021.

Jonathan Quick continues to excel as Igor Shesterkin’s backup. He made 25 saves to win for the fifth time in his six starts and the 398th time in his career, moving him within two victories of becoming the first U.S.-born goalie to reach the 400-win mark. Quick is 23-7-2 since joining the Rangers at the start of last season.

The Rangers got a lift from the return of forward Chris Kreider, who missed three games with back spasms, and center Filip Chytil, who hadn’t played since sustaining an upper-body injury on Nov. 14. Neither hit the score sheet, but Kreider’s role screening Montreal goalie Sam Montembeault was key in New York’s first two power-play goals, and Chytil’s keep at the blue line started the play that led to Kakko’s game-winner.

It wasn’t a pretty win, but the Rangers won’t throw it back.

“Not our best performance, but right now, we needed something,” said forward Artemi Panarin, who had a goal and an assist. “It doesn’t matter which (way) we win. We’re happy with two points right now, and we’ll try to step forward.”

Related:

3 takeaways from Rangers 4-3 win against the Canadiens

Here are three takeaways from the game Saturday.

1. Ugly wins are still wins

If the Rangers had had their way, their five-game losing streak would likely have ended with a solid performance ending in a decisive victory. That certainly wasn’t the case Saturday – but a win is a win, and the Rangers were more than happy to go home with two points even after blowing a two-goal lead in the final period.

“It’s not the way we wanted the third period to go,” coach Peter Laviolette said afterward.

The Rangers were on their heels for much of the afternoon, especially in the third period. They were outscored 3-1 at 5-on-5, and they gave up 15 high-danger chances when the teams were skating at full strength while earning just six, according to Natural Stat Trick.

But cashing in three times on the power play, including Kakko’s game-winner, sent the Rangers and their fans home happy.

“Sometimes when you’re trying to get out of something, that first one that you get out of might not be the prettiest, and it wasn’t tonight,” Laviolette said. “But we’ve got to draw on the positives of what we were able to do — from the physicality, the start, the fact that we kicked it up but we came back and won it, specialty teams factoring into it. You just pull all those things out of it and just continue to work your way out.”

2. Rangers stand up for themselves

Former Rangers captain turned MSG Networks announcer Dave Maloney was among those who blasted the Blueshirts after their 3-1 loss to the Flyers in Philadelphia on Friday when none of Panarin’s teammates came to his aid after he jousted with Philly’s Travis Konecny.

Saturday was an entirely different story.

Captain Jacob Trouba engaged in a lengthy bout with Montreal forward Josh Anderson 1:50 into the game – refusing a couple of opportunities to end the bout before the officials finally intervened. It made an impression on his teammates.

“He’s our leader,” Kakko said. “It was something we needed. We’ve been pretty bad lately … And he’s our captain, He’s our leader. So that’s something that got the guys going. And I think that was a good start.”

Late in the second period, all five skaters and Quick got involved in a mammoth scrum that saw seven players – including Quick – receive roughing penalties. If nothing else, the Rangers made sure they weren’t going to get pushed around.

Trouba earned a lot of credit for stepping up when a message needed to be sent.

“It was a message from him that he was here to play,” Laviolette said. “Our guys were ready to play.”

3. Kreider’s return revives power play

The Rangers were 0-for-12 on the power play in their past eight games, the last three of which they played without Kreider, whose presence on PP1 makes life miserable for opposing goalies. Kreider didn’t get on the score sheet, but he was a major factor in the Rangers first two power-play goals. Kakko’s game-winner made it a 3-for-6 afternoon – just the second time this season that the Rangers have scored more than once with the man advantage.

Kreider drew the first penalty of the game when he was held by Montreal’s Emil Heineman, then screened Montembeault, who couldn’t see Panarin’s rip from the top of the left circle that went into the net 9:02 into the game for a 1-0 lead. He took away Montembeault’s eyes again in the second period, making it impossible for him to see Mika Zibanejad’s shot from the left of the slot, which found a small gap in the net-front traffic.

“When you find yourself in a rut for quite a few games, specialty teams can definitely change the direction of the game, and they did tonight,” Laviolette said. “Chris Kreider did an unbelievable job in front of the net.”