J.T Miller was the hero after scoring the game-winner 2:49 into overtime. But he would never have gotten the chance had the Rangers’ depth scorers not come through again to give New York its first win when trailing by multiple goals in the third period since Feb. 18, 2024, when they rallied to beat the New York Islanders 6-5 in OT at Met Life Stadium in their Stadium Series game.

Goals by defenseman Braden Schneider and third-line forward Taylor Raddysh 3:46 apart in the third period got the Rangers even after they trailed 3-1 through 40 minutes. Fourth-liner Jonny Brodzinski opened the scoring with a breakaway goal 5:44 into the game.

Miller finished the comeback by racing past Leon Draisaitl and beating Stuart Skinner.

The comeback began after coach Mike Sullivan shuffled his lines in an effort to generate more offense following a lackluster second period.

“Obviously, changed the lines up a little bit, trying to spark something,” Miller said. “We just had so many guys contribute. [Noah Laba] was unbelievable today. You see Rads chip in again, Schneids. We need that throughout the course of the season, you know what I mean? You have that depth scoring and they played a heck of a game and drove play for us today and made it easy for the next line going out there. That was a true team effort.”

The Rangers won on a night when Miller admitted that “I didn’t have my best.” He could have said the same about the rest of the top six.

Rangers need more production from their top scorers

The first two lines are supposed to drive the offense, but that hasn’t been the case recently.

Artemi Panarin, the Rangers’ leading scorer in each of his six seasons on Broadway, has seven points in 12 games and none in the past four. Take away his four-point night in Montreal on Oct, 18 and he’s produced three points in the other 11 games.

Mika Zibanejad had the game-winner in New York’s 2-0 win at Vancouver on Tuesday but has just four goals and six points in 12 games. He’s also minus-8 — tied with Alexis Lafreniere for the worst mark on the Rangers. Lafreniere scored his lone goal of the season on Oct. 9 and has just four assists, though three of those have come in the past four games.

Miller and Panarin are tops among the forwards with seven points in 12 games — not even a 50-point pace over a full season.

Luckily for the Rangers, the depth scorers have continued to produce — most notably Raddysh, who leads the team with five goals.

Raddysh on the fly! pic.twitter.com/IiTmo1M4iT

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 31, 2025

“You need guys like that to step up” Miller said. “It’s just part of the gig, and it’s a long season. We just have to keep playing the right way and try not to let the emotions get the better of us.”

The Rangers looked like a high school team during a power play late in the second period, so Sullivan decided some line-shuffling was in order among his top nine. He put Panarin, Miller and Zibanejad together on the top line, and elevated rookie center Laba to play between Will Cuylle and Lafrenière. Juuso Pärssinen centered the third line with Conor Sheary and Raddysh.

“I just felt like our guys needed a spark,” Sullivan said. “We’ve been talking for a couple of games about loading up one line with our three studs, so to speak. Given the fact that it’s been a little bit of a struggle for them to put the puck in the net, we felt if we put them together, maybe that’ll give them a shot.”

Of course, he added with a smile, “The irony of it is, all the other lines scored.”

THE CAPTAIN CALLED GAME. pic.twitter.com/AlolKcXiUe

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 31, 2025

Still, a four-game trip that began gloomily with a 5-1 loss to the woeful Calgary Flames on Sunday will end Saturday with no worse than a split and possibly with a three-game winning streak — the Rangers have not lost in regulation in their four visits to Climate Pledge Arena.

In all, they are 5-1-1 on the road this season — but 0-4-1 at home, where they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday. Since 2021-22, the Rangers lead the NHL in road points (217) and wins (99).

But for any kind of sustained success, the Rangers have to get more — a lot more — from their big scorers.

Miller said he’s confident that will happen.

“I know mine are going to go in at some point,” he said. “I know that Mika will tell you the same thing, or [Artemi Panarin]. They’re going to go in, so we just have to keep playing the right way and try not to let the emotions get the better of us.”

It’s the start of a five-game road trip for the Oilers, who are 1-0-1 this season, and won three in a row and five of their past six at Madison Square Garden. McDavid had a goal on March 16 when the Oilers defeated the Rangers 3-1, giving him nine goals and 23 points in 15 games against them since he entered the NHL in 2015.

“I think you have to have a heightened awareness when he’s on the ice,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said after the morning skate. “The biggest difference that makes Connor so unique is the speed at which he executes plays out there. Anytime we have an opportunity to limit his speed and deny him the opportunity to get the puck in stride.”

McDavid is a unicorn — a combination of size, speed and skill unlike any other player in the NHL today. He has enough individual awards to fill an entire room, although No. 97 and his teammates came up short against the Florida Panthers in each of the past two Stanley Cup Finals.

There are so many ways that McDavid excels on the ice. But one in particular stands out for Sullivan.

“It’s just how fast he can execute plays with the puck, whether it be on the rush or in the zone,” he said. “We’re going to have to have a curtained heightened awareness when he’s on the ice, without a doubt.”

Rangers must shut down Connor McDavid to defeat Oilers

The Rangers need a big night from goaltender Igor Shesterkin, who’s allowed just two goals in his first three starts this season Shesterkin has faced the Oilers just three times in his career, and the results haven’t been pretty – he’s 1-2-0 with a 3.65 goals-against average and a save percentage of just .869. He was the loser in the Oilers’ victory at MSG last March, as well as a 4-3 defeat at the Garden on Nov. 26, 2022, that saw the Rangers blow a 3-0 lead in the third period.

Igor Shesterkin to start the season:

3 Games Played
2 Goals Allowed
1 Shutout
.976 SV%
0.67 GAA

11.5 Million Dollar Man for a reason 🗽 pic.twitter.com/7Rca4Jt2Rp

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 12, 2025

The Oilers, especially McDavid and longtime running mate Leon Draisaitl, are known for playing a fast-paced style. Sullivan said there are different kinds of speed, but what makes the Oilers unique is having superstars like McDavid and Draisaitl who think the game as fast as they skate.

“There’s physical foot speed, there’s team speed, your ability to change the point of attack and move the puck, being connected on breakouts, things of that nature. They help your team speed. Then there’s mind speed or intellectual speed, your ability to process the game quickly. Windows of opportunity open and close quickly, so you can anticipate on both sides of the puck to try to take advantage. Speed, in all its forms, for me is a real competitive advantage in today’s game.

Final touches before tonight. pic.twitter.com/H2B3n1jtkx

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

“Edmonton, what makes them unique, is that they have a couple of players that not only do they have the physical foot speed that makes them hard to defend against, but they also think the game on a really high level to take advantage or exploit opportunity when it presents itself. That’s what makes them unique.”

Even more unique is when the Oilers use Draisaitl on McDavid’s line, rather than splitting them up. That’s expected to be the case Tuesday.

“They’re dangerous when they’re together,” Sullivan explained. “The downside is that they lose a little bit of balance in their lineup – as an opponent, you can try to key on one line instead of two, whether it be defense pairs, line combinations, whatever it may be. I’m sure their coaching staff is always weighing that decision, just like the rest of us do with our lineups.”

Roslovic, who helped the Rangers get within two wins of the Stanley Cup Final in 2024, agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Oilers late on Wednesday night. He won’t be in the lineup Saturday when the Oilers host the Vancouver Canucks after missing all of training camp, but he’s looking forward to being teammates with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the NHL’s biggest stars.

“It’s fun seeing those guys go to work,” Roslovic said Friday after his first practice with his new team. “You kind of have two guys like that on every team that drive and lead the way. Obviously, these two are a little bit different caliber, but it’ll be fun. Going back to opportunity, it’s going to be great to see how these guys perform not just on the ice but see them off the ice and in practice.”

"An opportunity to win, an opportunity to play with great players."

Jack Roslovic speaks with the media after signing a one-year deal with the #Oilers & taking part in his first practice with the team.@Enterprise | #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/9CtZaHOFpB

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 10, 2025

The signing ends Roslovic’s wait to join a new team after he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1; he was arguably the best UFA remaining on the market. The 28-year-old switched agents after going unsigned for multiple months and was skating in Columbus, waiting to join a new team. He signed late Wednesday and was not in the lineup for the Oilers’ season-opening 4-3 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames.

The Rangers acquired Roslovic on March 8, 2024, sending a fourth-round pick in 2026 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“We think he’s a real good player,” general manager Chris Drury said after making the deal.

Jack Roslovic makes it 3-2! pic.twitter.com/RQjI4Vp7fh

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 2, 2024

In 19 regular-season games with New York after the trade, the 2015 first-round pick (No. 25 overall) by the Winnipeg Jets, had eight points (three goals, five assists). He also played in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games, finishing with eight points (two goals, six assists).

The best-known of the playoff assists came on Alexander Wennberg’s overtime winner in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers. That goal gave the Rangers a 5-4 win and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series, but they lost the next three games.

Alex Wennberg’s first goal of the playoffs was a BIG ONE!@NYRangers | #NYR | #StanleyCup
pic.twitter.com/IU66heOk7X

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) May 26, 2024

However, Roslovic averaged just 13:27 of ice time during his brief time on Broadway, and the Rangers didn’t re-sign him. He started out on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider but finished his tenure on Broadway on the fourth line.

Roslovic inked a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes for 2024-25. He played 81 games with Carolina, matched his career high with 22 goals (largely because of a career-best 15.8 shooting percentage) and finished with 39 points. He was first on the ‘Canes with 34 points at 5-on-5 despite averaging just 13:49 of ice time.

But he played in just nine playoff games for Carolina, finishing with one goal and four points. The Hurricanes didn’t re-sign him — likely because he’s something of a liability defensively. Though his xGF was 50.28 percent last season, per Natural Stat Trick, the Hurricanes were outscored 55-46 with him on the ice at 5-on-5 and out-chanced 205-173 in high-danger opportunities.

Jack Roslovic excited to have new opportunity with Oilers

Roslovic has 260 points (102 goals, 158 assists) and is minus-37 in 526 regular-season NHL games. He has 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 45 Stanley Cup Playoff games. But he has struggled at times with consistency during his career, a big reason that he’s spent most of his time as a bottom-six forward.

“Speed, scoring,” Roslovic said when asked what he brings to the Oilers. “Try to be a buzzsaw out there, make plays – kind of the thing that everyone already knows me for – and then be a good guy in the locker room, come in and fit well, don’t disrupt and gel.”

The Oilers, who need depth scoring, see him playing a bottom-six role, likely on the wing, when he’s ready for action — he could face his old team when the Oilers come to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. That’s OK with Roslovic, who’s eager to get a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup. Joining the Oilers, who’ve lost to the Florida Panthers in back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, is a good bet to get that opportunity.

“That’s going to be the theme here, is opportunity: an opportunity to win, an opportunity to play with great players,” Roslovic said. “They have been to the [Western] Conference Final the last two years, and obviously, they want to go all the way, and the fire is in me, too. I want to win. I know how hard it is, and it’s a great opportunity.”

Officially signed ✍️ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/PZklk9oWiv

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 9, 2025

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said after the loss to the Flames that Edmonton had been in touch with Roslovic dating back to the summer, and that talks picked up in September.

“(I told his agent) ‘We love the player, but we don’t have a whole lot of money to spend right now. So, if he wants to come here and kind of bet on himself and get a bit of a chance to play, we’d love to have him.’” Bowman said. “I think he was weighing his options and came to the decision that this is the place he wanted to be.”

The move ends Roslovic’s wait to join a new team after he became an unrestricted free agent on July 1 – he was arguably the best UFA remaining on the market. The 28-year-old changed agents after going unsigned earlier in the summer and was skating in Columbus, waiting to join a new team. He signed late Wednesday and was not in the lineup for the Oilers’ season-opening 4-3 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames.

The Rangers acquired Roslovic on March 8, 2024, sending a fourth-round pick in 2026 to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“We think he’s a real good player,” general manager Chris Drury said after making the deal.

Jack Roslovic makes it 3-2! pic.twitter.com/RQjI4Vp7fh

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 2, 2024

In 19 regular-season games with New York after the trade, the 2015 first-round pick (No. 25 overall) by the Winnipeg Jets, had eight points (three goals, five assists). He also played in 16 Stanley Cup Playoff games, finishing with eight points (two goals, six assists).

One of the assists came on Alexander Wennberg’s overtime winner in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Florida Panthers. That goal gave the Rangers a 5-4 win and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-7 series, but they lost the next three games.

Alex Wennberg’s first goal of the playoffs was a BIG ONE!@NYRangers | #NYR | #StanleyCup
pic.twitter.com/IU66heOk7X

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) May 26, 2024

However, Roslovic averaged just 13:27 of ice time during his brief time on Broadway, and the Rangers didn’t re-sign him. He started out on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, and finished his Rangers tenure playing on the fourth line.

Roslovic inked a one-year, $2.8 million contract with the Carolina Hurricanes for 2024-25. He played 81 games with Carolina, matched his career high with 22 goals (largely because of a career-best 15.8 shooting percentage) and finished with 39 points. He was third on the ‘Canes with 37 even-strength points, averaging just 13:49 of ice time.

However, he played in just nine playoff games for Carolina, and finished with one goal and four points. The Hurricanes didn’t re-sign him — likely because he’s something of a liability defensively. Though his xGF was 50.28 percent last season, per Natural Stat Trick, the Hurricanes were outscored 55-46 with him on the ice at 5-on-5 and were out-chanced 205-173 in high-danger opportunities.

Roslovic has struggled at times with consistency during his career. He can bring fans out of their seats, but tends to overhandle the puck and turn it over — a big reason that he’s spent most of his career as a bottom-six forward.

Oilers general manager Stan Bowman said after the loss to the Flames that Edmonton was in touch with Roslovic dating back to the summer, and that talks picked up in recent days.

“(I told his agent) ‘We love the player, but we don’t have a whole lot of money to spend right now. So, if he wants to come here and kind of bet on himself and get a bit of a chance to play, we’d love to have him.’” Bowman said. “I think he was weighing his options and came to the decision that this is the place he wanted to be.”

Officially signed ✍️ #LetsGoOilers pic.twitter.com/PZklk9oWiv

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 9, 2025

Bowman didn’t say when Roslovic could make his Oilers debut; their next game is Saturday, when they host the Vancouver Canucks. Though Roslovic was skating on his own, he missed all of training camp and may need some time to get into game shape.

Roslovic has 260 points (102 goals, 158 assists) and is minus-37 in 526 regular-season NHL games. He has 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) in 45 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects says there’s plenty of interest in the 25-year-old, and that the Rangers have told teams he’s available. Robinson says Miller could also be the target of an offer sheet, and with the Rangers close to the salary cap and having key RFAs like Will Cuylle needing new contracts, potential suitors could opt for that route.

One player whose name keeps popping up at the Combine is K'Andre Miller.

I'm told the Rangers have let teams know he's available, but clubs are weighing that option versus the Offer Sheet route.

Appears to be significant interest in the 25-year-old.

— Cam Robinson (@Hockey_Robinson) June 5, 2025

There’s no doubt that Miller has the wheels and the skills to be an impact player. But he’s never had the kind of breakout season the Rangers and their fans were hoping for. He struggled badly at times this season, finishing with 27 points (seven goals, 20 assists) in 74 games. He also finished with an even plus-minus rating, the first time in his five NHL seasons that he wasn’t a plus player.

It’s the second straight season his points total has dropped after he had a career-high 43 points (nine goals, 34 assists) in 2022-23.

Miller is coming off a two-year contract that has an average annual value of $3,872,000, according to PuckPedia. He also had surgery last month to repair an upper-body injury sustained toward the end of the season. A League source told the New York Post that Miller tried to rehab the undisclosed injury but ultimately decided surgery was his best option – he’s expected to be back around the start of next season.

There figures to be plenty of interest if the Rangers decide, for whatever reason, to move on from Miller. The San Jose Sharks, who desperately need help on defense, are among the teams rumored to be sniffing around.

New York Rangers news

New coach Mike Sullivan’s coaching staff is set after he named three assistants – including one who Rangers fans are quite familiar with.

Rangers legend and Hockey Hall of Famer Ed Giacomin turned 86 on Friday. Here’s a look at “Fast Eddie’s” decade in New York, which saw him do everything but win a Stanley Cup.

Our Eric Charles takes a look at two more value options available to the Rangers if they decide to use their first-round pick (No. 12) in this year’s NHL Draft. Lynden Lakovic and Benjamin Kindel figure to be available if the Rangers decide not to give their pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

NHL news and rumors

Sportsnaut: Brad Marchand was the hero for the Florida Panthers on Friday, scoring at 8:05 of the second overtime to give the Cats a series-tying 5-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final. We look at three takeaways from a memorable night.

Sportsnaut: Game 2 of the Final by the numbers. Game 3 is Monday night in Sunrise, Florida.

Sportsnaut: Our Ryan McInerney looks at the winners and losers from Game 2. Hockey fans definitely fall into the “Winners” category after watching the Panthers and Oilers start the series by splitting two overtime games.

NHL.com: So what do players do on travel days in the Final, especially on the five-hour flight from Edmonton to South Florida? Eating and playing cards are two of the most popular pastimes.

Sportsnaut: In the wake of the firing of Peter DeBoer by the Dallas Stars on Friday, one week after they were bounced in the Western Conference Final for the third straight year, here’s a look at the NHL’s 10 longest-tenured coaches. Suffice it to say that this is one profession where there’s not a lot of job security.

NHL.com: Spencer Carbery was named winner of the Jack Adams Award, given to the NHL’s top coach — with his family on hand. Carbery led the Washington Capitals to first place in the Metropolitan Division and the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs hired Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach under Craig Berube, beginning next season. He coached the Detroit Red Wings for two-plus seasons before being fired in December.

ESPN: Colorado Avalanche forward Logan O’Connor had hip surgery Friday and isn’t expected back until December at the earliest.

Tampa Bay Times: The Tampa Bay Lightning filled the coaching staff vacancy created recently when Jeff Blashill was hired as coach of the Chicago Blackhawks by hiring former NHL forward Dan Hinote as an assistant under Jon Cooper. Hinote had been coaching with Colorado of the AHL.

Unable to follow up a hugely important victory in Columbus against the Blue Jackets on Saturday, the Rangers locked up with the Oilers in a tight defensive battle that was decided when the visitors scored twice in the third period to snap a 1-1 tie.

This one was about as even as even can be, both with the eye test and by checking out the numbers. The Oilers had a slim 23-22 shots advantage and 16-14 edge in scoring chances 5v5. The Rangers were up 10-9 in high-danger chances 5v5 and 15-12 overall, per Natural Stat Trick. Including power play and penalty kill, the Rangers held a 27-19 advantage in scoring chances.

Breakaway by Matt Rempe shot saved by Stuart Skinner#Oilers 1 #NYR 1 2nd pic.twitter.com/M0tbXP47TE

— Sᴘᴏʀᴛs 24/7 (@Sports_24x7_) March 17, 2025

Yes, it was that close. J.T. Miller hit a post less than two minutes into the game. That could’ve changed the game’s tenor. Edmonton scored a power-play goal; New York did not. This had the feel of a playoff game, and the Rangers responded to that well. They just couldn’t beat Stuart Skinner more than once as the Oilers goalie turned in a heckuva performance.

It was another big game for the Rangers, who recognized that by starting Igor Shesterkin on consecutive nights for only the fifth time in his career. He was more than fine, finishing with 20 saves.

But it was still a loss, and now the Rangers (33-29-6) have played two more games than both the Montreal Canadiens and Blue Jackets. Montreal is one point back of New York for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Columbus and the Detroit Red Wings (one fewer game played) are two back.

Related: Winners, losers from Rangers disappointing 3-1 loss to Oilers

Three takeaways from Rangers 3-1 loss to Oilers

Here are three takeaways from the Rangers’ home-ice loss Sunday.

1. No three for you

New York’s inability to put together an extended winning streak is a painful recurring theme this season. That point was hammered home again Sunday, when the Rangers failed to win a third straight game. They haven’t won three games in a row in four months, dating to Nov. 14-19.

It’s the seventh time since mid-November that the Rangers won two straight but couldn’t get that third win. On top of that, the Rangers have won at least three in a row just twice this season, topped by a four-game winning streak Oct. 14-22. It’s no wonder why their in such a dog fight to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season.

2. Getting defensive

Ever since the Columbus Blue Jackets hung a seven spot on them March 9 at MSG, the Rangers have tightened things up defensively. They’ve allowed seven goals in their past four games, which includes a 4-0 shutout win Saturday as a payback of sorts against the Blue Jackets. The Rangers allowed an average of 24 shots on goal per game the past four.

It was more of the same against Connor McDavid and Co. on Sunday. The Rangers shut down the Oilers transition game and limited them off the rush, for the most part, and really controlled the neutral zone. They didn’t get pinned for stretches in their own end.

The Oilers managed 23 shots on goal, only one by McDavid, who was neutralized all night until he got a sliver of daylight late in the third period and wired a shot past Shesterkin. Leon Draisaitl was more noticeable for Edmonton, but still only managed two shots on goal and five attempts, though he picked up an assist to extend his point streak to 18 games, longest in the NHL this season. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was Edmonton’s most effective forward, finishing with three assists, though without a shot on goal.

3. Looking Foxy

Adam Fox didn’t wind up on the score sheet Sunday, but he was real noticeable at both ends of the rink, playing on back-to-back nights after returning from an eight-game injury absence. It’s not that Fox did anything out of this world, but he just appeared more in command out there than he did Saturday, chewing up a team-high 24:26 TOI.

Fox broke up several passing plays with a good stick and smart anticipation in his own end. Then in the offensive end, he was clearly in control, running things from the point, even though he managed just one shot on goal, which led to a prime scoring opportunity for Mike Zibnajead on a rebound in the third period, that Skinner made a terrific arm save on.

The negative is that the Fox-led power play was 0-for-3. And he didn’t tie Corey Perry up in front of Shesterkin when Perry fell to his knees and buried a power-play rebound with under a minute to play in the first period to give the Oilers a 1-0 lead.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Edmonton Oilers 3 – New York Rangers 1

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

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

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

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 16, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Oilers

1. More Igor

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

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

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

UPDATE 4:45 pm: Igor Shesterkin will start Sunday night against the Oilers

2. Containing Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl

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

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

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

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

3. Vincent Trocheck getting hot with Artemi Panarin

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

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

— NHL (@NHL) March 16, 2025

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

New York Rangers projected lineup

Panarin – Trocheck – Cuylle

Lafreniere – J.T. Miller- Zibanejad

Kreider – Carrick – Berard

Othmann – Brodzinski – Rempe

Vaakanainen – Fox

K. Miller – Borgen

Jones – Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

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

Who: New York Rangers vs. Edmonton Oilers

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

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG

After tinkering around the edges before the deadline on Friday by trading forward Reilly Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights and adding defenseman Carson Soucy from the Vancouver Canucks, the Rangers missed their chance to take over a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with back-to-back losses against the two teams directly ahead of them in the standings.

They had to settle for one point when a 3-1 third-period lead turned into a 4-3 OT road loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, then got blown out 7-3 at home on Sunday by the Columbus Blue Jackets. The results left the Rangers heading into the first of back-to-back four-game weeks in ninth place, one point behind the Senators and two in back of the Blue Jackets, holders of the two wild cards. The Blue Jackets have a game in hand on the Rangers; the Senators have two.

After winning just twice during a stretch that saw them play five of six games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers face a nasty three-game trip that begins against the Western Conference-leading Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday and continues with a visit to the Minnesota Wild on Thursday. But the key game comes Saturday, when the Rangers head to Columbus for a rematch against the Blue Jackets.

Even tougher is the fact that the Rangers have to fly back to New York for a Sunday night date with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and the Edmonton Oilers, who demolished New York 6-2 on Nov. 23.

We should have a much better idea of the Rangers’ playoff hopes a week from today. This is a week the Rangers can’t afford to be at anything but their best.

Who’s hot

Artemi Panarin has rediscovered his scoring touch. The Rangers’ top scorer (67 points in 62 games) has goals in each of New York’s five games in March, giving him 28 for the season. He’s two away from his fifth season (third with the Rangers) with at least 30 goals and his his five-game goal streak ties his NHL career high.

Who’s not

Igor Shesterkin was in goal for two overtime losses last week that saw the Rangers cough up third-period leads each time – a 2-1 edge against the Washington Capitals at the Garden on Wednesday turned into a 3-2 OT loss, and the Senators came from two goals down in the final 10 minutes of regulation before Shesterkin was beaten by Brady Tkachuk 33 seconds into overtime. His 21 regulation losses and 25 defeats (including four in overtime) are already career worsts.

Rangers lookahead this week includes …

Games 3, 4, 5 and 6 in a 15-day stretch that will see the Rangers play nine times.

Rangers at Winnipeg Jets (March 10, 8 p.m. ET; MSG)

There are easier ways to start a road trip than facing the top team in the Western Conference, albeit one that’s coming off a split of its four-game swing through the East, which ended with a 4-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.

The Jets have been first or second in the overall standings all season, riding the combination of Connor Hellebuyck’s goaltending (37-8-3, 1.99 goals-against average, .927 save percentage, six shutouts), a deep, balanced offense (five players with at least 50 points) and the League’s best power play (31.6 percent).

Winnipeg won 6-3 at the Garden on Nov. 12, setting an NHL record by winning 15 of its first 16 games. Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele, the Jets’ two 30-goal scorers, each had two against Shesterkin, who is 4-3-0 in his career against Winnipeg but with a 2.32 GAA and .932 save percentage.

Rangers at Minnesota Wild (March 12, 8 p.m.; MSG)

Minnesota is the only team that the Rangers haven’t seen yet; the Wild don’t come to the Garden until April 2. Minnesota is two different teams – a lousy 14-14-1 at home after a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday in the opener of a seven-game homestand, but a fabulous 22-10-3 away from Xcel Energy Center.

The Rangers are catching the Wild when they’re beat up. Star left wing Kirill Kaprizov and center Joel Eriksson Ek are both out with injuries, a big reason Minnesota has dropped behind the Colorado Avalanche for third place in the Central Division. Minnesota trails Colorado by two points but still holds the first wild card in the Western Conference.

New York is 19-14-1 in its all-time series against the Wild, with each team winning five times in the past 10 games. Interestingly, neither team has ever shut out the other since Minnesota entered the NHL for the 2000-01 season.

Shesterkin has played just three times against the Wild in his career, and is 2-1-0 with a 2.95 goals-against average and .912 save percentage. If Marc-Andre Fleury is in goal for the Wild, he’ll be going for his 35th career win against the Rangers.

Rangers at Columbus Blue Jackets (March 15, 7 p.m. MSG)

Every game is a big game for the Rangers now, but this one might be the biggest. The Rangers will be looking to avenge their embarrassing loss to the Blue Jackets and win for the third time in four games against Columbus this season.

Even with the loss, the Rangers have won seven of their past 10 games against the Blue Jackets, including a 4-3 victory in their first visit to Nationwide Arena on Feb. 8.

Panarin, who played two seasons with the Blue Jackets early in his career, scored his 14th goal in 21 career games against Columbus in the loss Sunday.

Edmonton Oilers at Rangers (March 16, 7 p.m. ET; MSG)

Connor McDavid & Co. wrap up a four-game swing through the East – the last three in the New York area — with their lone visit to MSG this season.

McDavid has 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 14 career games against the Rangers — including two goals and assist in the win in Edmonton that began New York’s year-ending 4-15-0 slide that knocked the Rangers out of a playoff berth.

NHL goal-scoring leader Leon Draisaitl is better than a point-a-game player against the Rangers (20 points; eight goals, 12 assists in 19 games). He had a goal and an assist in the early-season win.

Shesterkin has split two career decisions against the Oilers, allowing eight goals. Jonathan Quick, who could get the start in the second of back-to-back games, took the loss in Edmonton in November but is 25-13-6 against the Oilers with a 2.27 GAA and .918 save percentage.

Coach Peter Laviolette and multiple players pointed out one major issue that was exposed in a big way against Connor McDavid and the Oilers — defending the rush.

“We knew it, we talked about it,” Laviolette said postgame. “We talked about trying to stay above them and get above them. Sometimes we put ourselves in bad positions, sometimes we lost foot races, sometimes we turned the puck over, sometimes we fell down in the offensive zone and lost an edge. The rush just comes back at you quick.”

The Oilers’ rush certainly did come at New York quickly, especially with McDavid, the fastest player in the NHL, leading the charge. The 27-year-old, who recently became the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 1,000 NHL points, had two goals and an assist against the Rangers.

One of his assists came in a 2-on-1 rush that ended up on Leon Draisaitl’s stick for an Oilers goal, and his second goal, the Oilers’ sixth of the game, was off the rush as well.

“They’re dynamic off the rush,” Laviolette continued. “They have a ton of speed through the neutral zone, and we didn’t handle it well.”

Related: 3 Rangers takeaways after road trip ends with dud against Oilers

Rangers point to a lack of urgency after 6-2 blowout

McDavid wasn’t the only one who made an impact off the rush against the Rangers. The game was scoreless when the Oilers had a 3-on-2 rush late in the first period, and Vasily Podkolzin made no mistake — scoring his first goal of the season by blasting a shot past Jonathan Quick.

Rush chances against have been a common problem for the Rangers, but their problems coping were seriously exposed on Saturday — and the players know it.

“Obviously when you’re down, you’re pressing a little bit more and that going to lead to rushes, but I think we were just on our heels,” said defenseman Adam Fox. “We let them take the game to us. If you’re letting up 20 shots and only getting five or six in the first period, you’re obviously sitting back and letting them dictate the game.”

If the Rangers want to remain competitive against some of the better teams in the league, they’ll need to find a way to limit rush opportunities, especially when a player like McDavid is on the ice.

It was evident on Saturday, even in plays that did not result in goals, that defending the rush is a major flaw.

“They were good off the rush,” center Vincent Trocheck said. “Obviously they’re fast, they’re a very skilled team. I felt like we just gave them way too much space, and we need to have more urgency. I think that’s the moral of the story, urgency.”

Perhaps it was the grind of a long road trip, the longest for New York thus far in 2024-25. After solid efforts in wins against the Seattle Kraken and Vancouver Canucks, the Rangers had lackluster performances in Calgary and Edmonton.

In the first two games, the Rangers had jump, executed, and played with urgency. In the latter two, they were outplayed heavily in the first period and spent too much time chasing the game after falling behind. As Trocheck mentioned, there was no urgency.

The Rangers are heading home with some serious issues to clean up as they prepare to play four games in six days. They’ll have a chance to rebound from the losses in Alberta when they host the St. Louis Blues at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

The Blues are 9-12-1 after a 3-1 road loss to the New York Islanders on Saturday, putting them 25th in the overall standings. It will be their first game under new coach Jim Montgomery, who was hired Sunday to replace Drew Bannister after being fired by the Boston Bruins five days earlier.