10 can’t-miss games on the Rangers 2025-26 NHL schedule
We’re already a month into summer, which means the countdown to October is underway for the New York Rangers. The 100th season in franchise history will kick off on Oct. 7 at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Rangers aim to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs after becoming just the fourth team in NHL history to miss the postseason the year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy. They continue the chase for their first Stanley Cup championship since 1994, and just the second since 1940.
With the release of the 2025-26 NHL schedule on Wednesday, let’s take a look at 10 of the most anticipated games during the upcoming season.
Related: How Rangers missed Glen Sather, ‘senior voice to calm things down’ during epic 2024-25 failure
Oct. 11 — at Pittsburgh Penguins
No coach in Pittsburgh Penguins history has won more games (409) nor coached more (753) than Mike Sullivan. However, after 10 years in the Steel City — and four days after coaching his first game with the Rangers by facing his old team — Sullivan returns to PPG Paints Arena. He led the Penguins to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, but he and the Penguins parted ways on April 28 after Pittsburgh’s third straight non-playoff season — and the Rangers hired him on May 2. Future Hall of Famers Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang thrived under his guidance. Sullivan left a lasting legacy in Pittsburgh and will surely receive an emotional tribute.
Oct. 28 — at Vancouver Canucks
This is a late-night game for Rangers fans on the East Coast, but one they should certainly stay up for. After six seasons with the Canucks, JT Miller returns to Rogers Arena as a visitor for the first time since he was traded to the Rangers on Jan. 31. Miller played a key role in the Canucks’ 2024 playoff run, their best season since 2011. A public feud between Elias Pettersson and Miller reached a point where one had to be traded, and it’ll be interesting to see how the two react to playing against one another. Despite the controversy, Miller should receive a warm welcome in his first game back in Vancouver.
Nov. 4 — vs. Carolina Hurricanes
The Rangers were officially eliminated from playoff contention in Game 80 last season, an embarrassing 7-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, who themselves went on to pplay in the Eastern Conference Final last spring. Now, the ‘Canes come to MSG for the first of four matchups between the Metropolitan Division rivals — and the first since the Rangers traded K’Andre Miller to the Hurricanes on July 1 after five seasons in New York. The Hurricanes wasted little time signing the 25-year-old defenseman to an eight-year, $60 million contract ($7.5 million average annual value). It will be interesting to see what kind of greeting Miller gets in his return to the Garden, and if 22-year-old defenseman Scott Morrow — part of the package for Miller — is in the Rangers lineup.
Nov. 8 — vs. New York Islanders
Four nights after Miller’s return, the Islanders come to MSG for the first of four games in the Battle of New York. To add a little spice to one of the biggest NHL rivalries, Matthew Schaefer, taken by the Isles with the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL Draft last month, wasted little time telling the world which team he’s most looking forward to playing against. “I’m saying Rangers. I heard there’s a big rivalry,” Schaefer said. “I want to play against the Rangers, and I want to beat them every time we play them.” Assuming Schaefer sticks with the Islanders after training camp, the 18-year-old defenseman will not get a warm welcome in his first appearance at The Garden. On top of that, the Islanders have a score to settle after they were swept and manhandled by the Rangers last season.
Nov. 28 — at Boston Bruins
The Rangers return to the Thanksgiving Showdown when they visit the Boston Bruins on Black Friday afternoon. Each team is trying to return to the playoffs; Boston missed the postseason last season for the first time since 2015-16. The Rangers will be trying to repeat the success they had in their last Thanksgiving Showdown visit to TD Garden — they downed the Bruins 5-2 in Boston on Nov 26, 2021, largely thanks to a 34-save effort by the game’s First Star, goalie Igor Shesterkin.
Dec. 15 — vs Anaheim Ducks
A regular-season game against the Anaheim Ducks isn’t usually a highlight on the Rangers schedule. But the return of Jacob Trouba and Chris Kreider figures to make this matchup truly memorable. The former captain’s first MSG appearance after his trade last Dec. 6 will have the crowd buzzing following his tension-filled exit. Adding Kreider to the mix after his June 12 trade to Anaheim adds a whole new element. After 13 years and 324 goals with the Rangers, the fan favorite will face off against his former team in a building where he made lasting memories. Fans will wear their No. 20 jerseys in what should be an emotional homecoming.
Dec. 16 — vs. Vancouver Canucks
There’s another homecoming on tap the next night at Madison Square Garden. Popular center Filip Chytil, who was traded to the Canucks as part of the Miller deal, could play his first game as a member of a visiting team at MSG. Chytil sustained a concussion before the Canucks visited MSG last season and was plagued by injuries during his time with the Rangers. It has been a rough road for the Czech center, but he should receive a warm welcome when he steps onto the ice.
Jan. 2 — at Florida Panthers
The Rangers will ring in 2026 outdoors with the Winter Classic against the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in the first of their three meetings this season. The first NHL outdoor game in the Sunshine State is scheduled to take place at loanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. New York’s perfect 5-0-0 outdoor record will be put to the test. Rangers’ road games at the Panthers’ home, Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, are always packed with Blueshirts faithful, and there’s expected to be a large contingent of snowbirds and holiday vacationers ready for sun, fun and hockey to celebrate the new year.
Jan. 12 — vs. Seattle Kraken
There will be yet another homecoming when the Seattle Kraken pay their only visit of the season to the Garden. Forward Kaapo Kakko and defenseman Ryan Lindgren will return to MSG for the first time after being traded last season. Kakko went to the Kraken just before Christmas; Lindgren was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche on March 1, then signed with Seattle as a free agent four months later. Kakko never lived up to the high expectations that came with being the No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft. Lindgren spent much of his time in New York on the top defensive pairing with Adam Fox, a heart-and-soul player who sacrificed his body every game. Each is expected to be welcomed back warmly.
March 31 — vs. New Jersey Devils
All three games in the 2025-26 edition of the Hudson River Rivalry will take place after the NHL Trade Deadline on March 6. The Rangers go to Newark the day after the deadline, then host the Devils twice in a span of 13 days. The Rangers were 1-3-0 against the Devils last season, getting outscored 16-4 and shut out twice. With the season winding down, it will be fascinating to see where each team is headed entering the final month.
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