After shutting out the woeful Nashville Predators 4-0 Sunday at MSG, the Rangers must do away with the Islanders on Monday. These are games the Rangers must absolutely win, and if they can in decisive manner, even better.

They did so last week with a 5-1 road victory against the Islanders, and again Sunday against the third word-worst team in the NHL standings. Now, it’s the Islanders again, this time on home ice. Throttle them. Let them know this playoff race is about you, not them.

It’s right there for the Rangers (30-26-4). Despite trading away Ryan Lindgren this weekend and with a clear focus on the coming offseason, the Rangers can still — and probably should still — earn their way in to the postseason. And winning games against teams they should beat is a big part of that game plan.

Win Monday and the Rangers are tied in points for the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. That’s no matter what the Ottawa Senators, even with the Rangers at 64 points, or Montreal Canadiens, one point behind New York, does in their respective games Monday.

The Rangers have won three of four and six of nine. A victory Monday and they carry nice momentum into a tough matchup Thursday at home against the first-place Washington Capitals. Keep in mind that the Caps have hit a rough patch, losing three straight. Then there are games with massive playoff implications against the Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets next weekend.

But first, next, just do what’s expected and knock off the Islanders on Monday.

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New York Rangers news

Here are three Rangers takeaways from their shutout win against the Predators, including how the new guys led the hit parade in a physical victory.

We handed out Rangers trade grades after they acquired Calvin de Haan and Juuso Parssinen from the Colorado Avalanche.

And those new Rangers were thrown right into the lineup Sunday, 24 hours after being acquired from the Avalanche.

The Hartford Wolf Pack allowed four straight goals in a 5-2 loss to Providence on Sunday.

NHL news

There wasn’t a lot of good news for the New Jersey Devils on Sunday, despite Jacob Marskrtom’s return from a long injury absence. The Devils lost 2-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights and star center Jack Hughes exited late in the game after crashing hard into the boards after a Jack Eichel hit that went unpenalized. That led to Devils coach Sheldon Keefe being ejected from the game for arguing with the on-ice officials.

Charlie Lindgren landed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Washington Capitals. The goalie could’ve been an unrestricted free agent at season’s end.

Matthew Tkachuk was placed on LTIR with a groin injury by the Florida Panthers.

Macklin Celebrini may not be able to play Monday when the San Jose Sharks visit the Maple Leafs because of a lower-body injury.

Jonas Brodin is week to week with a lower-body injury for the Minnesota Wild.

Without Brodin in the lineup, the Wild shut out the Boston Bruins 1-0, bringing to an end David Pastrnak’s 17-game point streak.

The Seattle Kraken recalled veteran goalie Philipp Grubauer from Coachella Valley of the American Hockey League.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won their fifth straight game, a wild 6-5 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Watch William Nylander score the game winner in OT for the Maple Leafs.

The Dallas Stars continue to roll, following a 6-3 win against the St. Louis Blues.

Watch Wyatt Johnston record a hat trick in the Star’s latest victory.

Seabstian Aho scored his fifth overtime goal this season, when the Carolina Hurricanes edged the Calgary Flames 2-1.

First, the Rangers (28-25-4) need to take care of business and defeat the Islanders at UBS Arena. Then they need the Columbus Blue Jackets to lose in regulation to the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins to lose in any fashion to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Ottawa Senators actually hold the second wild card but do not play Tuesday. They host the first-overall Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday, trying to end their own four-game losing streak.

So, yeah, things are looking up for the Rangers, despite their putrid play this past weekend. Really, it’s been what we’ve said all along, even during their 4-15-0 slide, the Rangers have a great chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs. That’s due, in part, to the fact that each of the teams they’re battling with is deeply flawed and mediocre.

Just like the Rangers.

Maybe playing their archrival with a chance to push them back further in the playoff race will wake up the Rangers on Tuesday. Did sneaking out of Pittsburgh on Sunday with a largely undeserved 5-3 win over the Penguins get their attention, too?

Tune in and find out at 7:30 Tuesday.

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New York Rangers news

Here are three things to watch for when the Rangers visit the Islanders on Tuesday, including

Brennan Othmann may or may not be in the Rangers lineup Tuesday. But the rookie forward was recalled from AHL Hartford on Monday amid injury concerns with Chris Kreider.

These games against the Rangers are crucial for the Islanders ahead of the NHL trade deadline. Here’s why.

Just in case you’re wondering, the Rangers are well aware that their very fortunate victory against the Penguins on Sunday is “not a recipe” for success moving forward.

The schedule remains favorable this week for the Rangers. Let’s take a look at what lies ahead.

Our weekly look at the Hartford Wolf Pack featured Zac Jones making an immediate impact — before he was recalled by the Rangers from his AHL conditioning stint.

Longtime MSG Networks studio host and broadcaster Al Trautwig died at the age of 68.

NHL news

Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks was suspended three games by NHL Department of Player Safety for interference against Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Rasmussen.

Meanwhile, Rasmussen is day to day with an upper-body injury after taking a blow to the head from Zegras.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman reduced the suspension to Minnesota Wild forward Ryan Hartman from 10 games to eight for roughing Tim Stutzle of the Ottawa Senators.

Florida Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Matthew Tkachuk’s injury sustained at the 4 Nations Face-Off, believed to be a groin issue, could be longer term, but the power forward should return at some point this season.

The Athletic is reporting that the Montreal Canadiens could consider trying to trade forwards Jake Evans and Joel Armia as a package to increase the return. The idea being they are an excellent and affordable penalty-killing tandem.

The Senators are looking to improve their group of forwards and have reportedly checked in on Brandon Tanev of the Seattle Kraken and Ryan Donato of the Chicago Blackhawks.

With the March 7 NHL Trade Deadline creeping closer, the Edmonton Oilers are in a dilemma with their goaltending position and are considering all options.

After scoring 17 goals last season, Utah’s Matias Maccelli has only eight this season and been a recent healthy scratch, too. That makes him a player to watch ahead of the trade deadline, per reports.

The Ducks acquired goalie Ville Husso from the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations.

Sharks defenseman Timothy Liljegren is out for a bit with an upper-body injury.

Kirby Dach is out Tuesday with a lower-body injury when the Montreal Canadiens face the St. Louis Blues. Owen Beck was recalled by Montreal from Laval of the AHL.

Trevor Moore scored two goals to help the Los Angeles Kings defeat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-2.

The Winnipeg Jets won their 10th straight game, 2-1 over the San Jose Sharks in overtime, and Mark Scheifele became the all-time goals leader for the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers franchise with 329. Watch Scheifele score the OT winner against the Sharks.

“The message we wanted to send is: It’s our time. We’re in a hostile environment, and we wanted to show that we’re not backing down,” Matthew Tkachuk said after the Americans secured their spot in the championship game by defeating their archrivals 3-1.

“It’s just a group of guys that are fired up to play their biggest rivals in this type of environment, so we had an absolute blast from the start.”

Tonight was intense. #4Nations pic.twitter.com/pQdY9HcrPg

— NHL (@NHL) February 16, 2025

There were hits – 34 by the Americans, 29 by Canada. There were two goals by Jake Guentzel sandwiched around the game-winner by Dylan Larkin in the second period. There were 25 saves by Connor Hellebuyck, who did nothing to dampen his stature as the best goaltender in the NHL.

But what the sellout crowd of 21,105 will remember most is the first nine seconds of the game, when Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and Miller helped set the tone for the U.S.

The puck had barely hit the ice when Matthew Tkachuk squared off with Brandon Hagel. Those two had barely sat down in the penalty box when younger brother Brady and Matthew’s Panthers’ teammate, Sam Bennett, squared off. Six seconds after that, it was Miller’s turn, as he got into a battle with Canadian defenseman Colton Parayko.

ABSOLUTELY ELECTRIC ⚡️

THREE FIGHTS TO START CANADA VS. USA.

(🎥: @BR_OpenIce)pic.twitter.com/3wXITz9bYY

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 16, 2025

“There’s definitely a tone to be set in a game like that,” Miller said. “Having the brothers do that, it’s just exciting.

“I think that’s a good way to get the team to buy in early, and I thought we played a hell of a game from start to finish.”

Fighting used to be a common occurrence in the NHL – back in the late 1980s, the average was about one fight per game. But that’s not the case these days; there’s roughly one fight in every 4.5 games. Seeing three fights in less than 10 seconds sent the crowd into a frenzy.

“To us, this is as big of a game as it gets,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “I mean, this is what you dream about, a chance to knock off Canada in Canada, like I said, on a Saturday night in Montreal, in that type of environment. It was incredible. It was fun to start like that.”

ANOTHER ONE 🗣️

BRADY TKACHUK AND SAM BENNETT DROP THE GLOVES RIGHT AFTER.

(🎥: @BR_OpenIce) pic.twitter.com/tESJx4MTVX

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 16, 2025

Miller, a rare 100-point scorer who also plays a physical game and can hold his own after dropping the gloves, loved it.

“That was pretty fun,” he said. “It was the coolest experience I’ve ever had on the ice — well, one of them. To hear the building like that; it’s something you never forget. There’s a lot of bad blood, but at the same time there’s tons of respect for the other team.

“It’s just a fun environment to be in. You don’t get this opportunity very often.”

Related: Kaapo Kakko jumps from press box to first-line hero in Finland’s OT win against Sweden

Rangers star J.T. Miller plays physical role in Team USA win against Canada

The game-opening fights came after “The Star-Spangled Banner” was booed lustily by the pro-Canada crowd. But Matthew Tkachuk said the booing had nothing to do with the decision to throw down; rather, it was planned.

"Put this jersey on… it's what dreams are made of." 🇺🇸

Dylan Larkin joins @sportsnetkyle to discuss tonight's #4Nations Face-Off matchup between USA and Canada. pic.twitter.com/CObd4iVWzD

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 16, 2025

“No. no,” he said. “That’s called me, Brady and (Miller) in a group chat. There was a little discussion during the day, there was a group chat going.”

So, the Tkachuks and Miller had a strategy.

“We had to send a message,” Matthew said.

Team USA coach Mike Sullivan felt the fights showed how much the players were invested in a game they were playing for pride.

The three fights “are very indicative of what this means to the players,” Sullivan said. “There’s two teams out there that are very competitive, that have a ton of pride for their respective teams and their countries. For me, when you have an investment like that in trying to win, the way it occurred, that’s an indication of it.”

The question now is whether there will be a rematch after the tournament moves to Boston’s TD Garden for the final round-robin games Monday and the championship game Thursday night. Each team plays three round-robin games, earning three points for a win in regulation, two points for a win in overtime or a shootout, one point for an OT or shootout loss, and none for a loss in regulation.

The U.S. is assured of a berth in the title game after winning its first two round-robin games in regulation. Each of the other three teams has two points. Canada and Finland, each of which owns a 4-3 overtime win against Sweden in addition to a loss to the United States, meet Monday afternoon. The Swedes play the Americans on Monday night.

“Other than Game 7 last year, this has been the highlight of my hockey career,” said Matthew Tkachuk, who won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers last season but might sit out against Sweden after leaving in the third period Saturday with a lower-body injury — which could give Miller’s teammate, Chris Kreider, his first chance to play. “I’m just going to enjoy it with the guys. We have such a fun group in there.”

Kreider will get his first chance to don the USA sweater Monday, when they play Sweden at TD Garden in Boston. The longest-tenured player on the Rangers roster will replace Matthew Tkachuk, who’s out with a lower-body injury.

United States coach Mike Sullivan had already left the door open to insert Kreider into the lineup Monday in comments made last week. Since then, the U.S. clinched a berth in the 4 Nations championship game, which will take place Thursday, and forward Tkachuk who was injured Saturday.

Tkachuk, who scored two goals in a 6-1 win against Finland on Thursday and then set an edgy tone with a fight against Brandon Hagel two seconds into the win vs. Canada, departed the game Saturday in the third period.

BRANDON HAGEL AND MATTHEW TKACHUK DROP GLOVES AT PUCK DROP 😱

📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/Agc8UN3fIo

— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2025

Speaking to the media postgame, Tkachuk downplayed the injury.

“No, no concern about the injury,” he said.

Sullivan played it close to the vest when pressed on the injury.

“Matthew is out with a lower-body injury right now,” Sullivan said. “He’s being evaluated by our doctors. That’s all I can offer you. We’ll make decisions that we think is best for Matthew and we think is best for our team. Right now I don’t have a lot of information to go on so it’s hard for me to give you more.”

Really, it seems like the perfect chance to get Kreider in a game. Let Tkachuk rest, take a few days before the championship game. Perhaps Kreider’s Rangers teammate J.T. Miller moves up to grab more minutes with Tkachuk out. Or Kyle Connor or Dylan Larkin moves up. Either way, Kreider slips into a bottom-6 role.

Related: Why Dave Maloney ‘shed a tear’ during Vancouver visits years before J.T. Miller trade

Chris Kreider joins Rangers teammates Monday when Team USA plays Sweden at 4 Nations

Sullivan has a relationship with Kreider, so he’s sensitive to the fact that the 33-year-old has been a healthy scratch to start this tournament. He was an assistant under John Tortorella when Kreider burst on to the scene during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs, then during his rookie campaign the following season. Plus, he’s coached against Kreider for years with New York’s division rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“What I will tell you is both Chris and [scratched Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson] have been great,” Sullivan stated. “They’re great teammates, they’re great people, they know it’s an honor to be part of this whole experience. They’re message to me was, ‘We’re ready when you ask us.’”

Sanderson will also play Monday, giving defenseman Charlie McAvoy a night off.

Kreider helped the United States win the gold medal at the 2010 World Junior Championship and a bronze at the 2011 WJC. He also played in several World Championships for Team USA. At this stage of his career, it’d be a great opportunity for Kreider to represent his country in game action again.

And to do so in Boston on Monday is fitting. The Boxford, Massachusetts, native starred for three seasons at Boston College before turning pro with the Rangers.

Kreider joins Rangers teammates Adam Fox, Vincent Trocheck and Miller, who each have played in the first two games for Team USA. And he will play against BFF Mika Zibanejad, who scored for Sweden in their 4-3 overtime loss to Finland on Saturday.

“Going up against [Zibanejad], I think he knows all of my tricks,” Kreider said with a laugh last week. “Unfortunately, I know his bag of tricks is a lot deeper than mine.”

The United States clinched a spot in the Final with six points. Canada, Sweden and Finland each have two heading into the final prelim games Monday.

That Miller relished the villain role should only get the New York Rangers more fired up to see what their new addition will be like if they are able to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this spring.

True, it’s not an apples-to-apples comparison. On Team USA, Miller plays up and down the lineup, and with such a talented roster, he can really focus on being a vital support player. He’s excelling in that role, playing physically, dropping the gloves nine seconds into the game Saturday and playing a vital role alongside Rangers teammate Vincent Trocheck on the penalty kill.

Back in New York, Miller is looked to be a vital contributor in those areas as well. But the Rangers rely on his offensive production moreso than Team USA in this tournament.

Still, it must fire up Chris Drury and Peter Laviolette to see how Miller plays when the stakes are raised. He’s been an intense wrecking ball out there for the United States. It’s easy to picture all that he’ll do for the Rangers come playoff time.

COMBATS AU PLURIEL 🥊💥

#3 : Colton Parayko c. J. T. Miller#4Nations pic.twitter.com/yOg0XiPu4U

— RDS (@RDSca) February 16, 2025

As for his fight with Colton Parayko, well, in all honesty it could’ve gone better for the Rangers forward. Parayko had the upper hand in that one. But it was a fight Miller wanted. Not dissimilar to how he mucked it up generating a mini-melee at the start of Team USA’s 6-1 win against Finland on Thursday.

Of course, let’s not forget that when this midseason international tournament is over, the Rangers have 27 games left to actually make the playoffs. Right now, they sit three points out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. But Miller’s battle level in these games gives you an idea of his passion to win and how that can rub off on the Rangers down the stretch and come spring time.

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New York Rangers news

Mika Zibanejad scored the game’s first goal, but it wasn’t enough for Sweden, which lost 4-3 in overtime to Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Chris Kreider was a healthy scratch for the second straight game for Team USA, but he could play Monday against Sweden.

Here’s a look at six important Rangers who need to be on top of their games coming out of the schedule break.

Dave Maloney explains why he “shed a tear” during games in Vancouver until Rangers finally re-acquired J.T. Miller.

NHL news

Already without defenseman Shea Theodore (week to week with upper-body injury), Canada played Saturday without Cale Makar, who was ill. He was replaced by Dallas Stars defenseman Thomas Harley.

Connor McDavid and Canada are laser focused on a rematch with the United States in the 4 Nations championship game. But first they’ll need to defeat Finland on Monday.

Matthew Tkachuk left the U.S. win on Thursday with a lower-body injury in the third period. Team USA coach Mike Sullivan said the star forward is being evaluated.

NHL.com picked the right player to pen a blog for Finland throughout the 4 Nations Face-Off. They selected Stars forward Mikael Granlund, the very same player who scored the overtime game-winner against Sweden on Saturday. Here’s his take on “what a game.”

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson buried the hatchet in his public war of words with former Team Sweden coach Johan Garpenlov at the 4 Nations on Saturday.

Hockey Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the greatest players to ever come from Sweden, admitted that the current Sweden team at the 4 Nations is a notch below both Canada and the United States.

On the trade rumors front, it doesn’t appear the Edmonton Oilers are going to ask Jeff Skinner to waive his no-move clause despite his subpar first season with them.

The Seattle Kraken could be a popular shopping post for teams looking to upgrade ahead of the trade deadline. Brandon Tanev, Jaden Schwartz, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Andre Burakovsky are among those on the Kraken roster that teams are expressing interest in.

Matthews has been the NHL’s most prolific goal-scorer since entering the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the fall of 2016. But Matthews showed during the United States’ 6-1 win against Finland on Thursday in its tournament opener that he’s more than just a guy who puts the puck in the net.

Finland had the United States on its heels after Henri Jokiharju scored the game’s first goal at 7:31 of the opening period. But Team USA answered in a big way with six unanswered goals, including two within the first 30 seconds of the third period to put the game out of reach. 

Though the Tkachuk brothers stole the show, combining for four goals and an assist (Matthew with two goals, Brady with two goals and an assist), Matthews made his presence felt on the ice — and as a leader.

The line of Matthews between Jake Guentzel and Jack Hughes quickly showed flashes of what to expect the rest of this tournament — must-see TV. Midway through the first period, Hughes hit Matthews with a perfect pass that sent him through the Finnish defense — but Matthews’ shot rang off the crossbar.

Another post hit by Team USA, this time by Auston Matthews#4Nations pic.twitter.com/mMF8193UOr

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) February 14, 2025

Matthews and his linemates did get on the board 26 seconds into the third period after he intercepted a pass at the USA blue line to set up a quick 3-on-2. Hughes got the puck back to Matthews, who fed Guentzel. The Tampa Bay Lightning forward ripped a wrist shot past Finnish goalie Juuse Saros, extending the USA lead to 4-1. The goal came 11 seconds after Matthew Tkachuk’s power-play goal had given the U.S. a two-goal lead.

Matthews played a solid two-way game while skating in a hostile environment — Montreal fans let the Toronto star hear it during when he was introduced as Team USA’s captain ahead of the Canada-Sweden game, as well as during the game Thursday.

The Montreal crowd tells Auston Matthews exactly how they feel about him 😅 pic.twitter.com/Ipd5rhTm83

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 13, 2025

“I was kind of expecting it, so it’s all good,” Matthews said of his reception. “I take it as a good thing or maybe a sign of respect.”

The boos continued once Matthews hit the ice in Team USA’s first game.

They are BOOING Auston Matthews every time he touches the puck in Montreal 😅 pic.twitter.com/0SsULB2Agm

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 14, 2025

He may be a target for fans, but Matthews has complete respect within the Team USA locker room amongst foes around the league.

“You can tell the familiarity he has with the guys here and just someone who’s so respected,” Fox said. “I think he’s never going to really seem like the rah-rah yell at you, at least early in the practice here. But the way he is on the ice, the way he is in the locker room, the way around the hotel and everything, he just commands that respect.

“I think everyone has it for him and the way he plays and the way he handles himself.”

Matthews effectively leads by example on the ice, something that comes naturally in a tournament like this.

“These are moments, game situations that you dream of playing in,” he said.

Watching another leader at work presents a valuable opportunity for Fox. The Rangers have not appointed a new captain since trading Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in early December. They’re the only team in the NHL without a captain, but Fox – one of four alternate captains on the team – has stepped into a more prevalent leadership role in New York.

While fans wait to see who will become the 29th captain in the history of the franchise, Fox will have the opportunity to share the ice with three other captains of NHL teams, and many other alternate captains.

Rangers aim to get on the score sheet in 4 Nations doubleheader

Of the six Rangers taking part in the 4 Nations Face-Off, none recorded a point in the first slate of round. Their next opportunity comes on Saturday when all four teams play in a much anticipated afternoon and night of hockey.

First, Urho Vaakanainen’s Finland squad takes on Mika Zibanejad and Sweden. Each team lost its opening game of the tournament, but Sweden picked up a point in its 4-3 overtime loss to Canada on Wednesday. Still, both teams are in dire need of a victory.

Zibanejad had two shots on goal and was robbed of a potential overtime winner in the loss to Canada; he finished minus-1 but was 12-10 on face-offs. Vaakanainen was minus-2 in Finland’s loss to Team USA.

NHL Morning Skate: #4Nations Face-Off – Feb. 14, 2025

▪️ Tkachuk brothers put on show with 2 goals apiece
▪️ USA’s fast goals propel them into first place
▪️ Rivalries renew Saturday on ABC, ESPN+, SN & TVAS (1 ET: 🇫🇮 vs. 🇸🇪; 8 ET: 🇺🇸 vs. 🇨🇦)#NHLStats: https://t.co/YFv0I9Y7XV pic.twitter.com/97FCxuyX0J

— NHL Public Relations (@NHLPR) February 14, 2025

Following the Sweden-Finland game at 1 p.m. ET, Canada and the United States squads take the ice for a heavyweight battle between the tournament’s two favorites at 8 p.m. ET. ABC will televise both games.

“I think I’ve thought about this game for nine years,” Matthew Tkachuk said after Team USA’s win on Thursday.

“It’s going to be the biggest game that I’ve ever played in my career,” Brady Tkachuk added.

Of the three Rangers who suited up for Team USA – forward Chris Kreider was a healthy scratch – none scored a point. Fox and forwards Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller combined for two shots and six hits. Trocheck and Miller provided a physical presence and did an excellent job on the penalty kill.

Matthew Tkachuk finished with two goals, one assist and a game-high eight shots on goal for the United States. Younger brother Brady scored twice and was credited with a game-high eight hits.

The U.S. started slowly, falling behind 1-0, but found their edge when coach Mike Sullivan paired the Tkachuk brothers on the same line after they began the game on separate lines. Leading 2-1 after two periods, the U.S. exploded for four goals in the third to turn this one into a rout, with Matthew scoring twice and Brady notching his second of the night.

USA vs. FIN. IT’S ON.#4Nations pic.twitter.com/IlfkUlI6rz

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

Rangers forwards J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck came out flying for the United States, each delivering a crushing hit in the opening minutes on separate shifts. Neither had a shot on goal Thursday, but each was strong at the face-off dot, where Trocheck won seven of 11 draws and Miller won six of 10. Miller also had three hits and was plus-2; Trocheck had two hits.

Blueshirts defenseman Adam Fox also was on the winning side. He logged 18:41 TOI and had one shot on goal and four shot attempts. Fellow Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen was minus-2 in 13:12 TOI for Finland.

Matt Boldy and Jake Guentzel each had a goal and an assist for Team USA, who will next play Canada on Saturday night. Zach Werenski had three assists and Jack Eichel had two. Connor Hellebuyck finished with 20 saves.

Henri Jokiharju scored Finland’s only goal. Juuse Saros made 26 saves. Finland plays Sweden on Saturday afternoon.

Related: Current and former Rangers forwards scratched for United States-Finland clash

United States 6 – Finland 1

The deeper and more talented U.S. squad had the better of the play and chances in the first period. So, of course, it was Finland who scored the first goal.

Jokiharju, he of the one goal in 39 games with the Buffalo Sabres and 17 goals in 386 NHL games, opened the scoring at 7:31 when his right-wing shot off the rush leaked through Hellebuyck.

It was one of several frustrating moments for the United States over the first 20 minutes. Auston Matthews and Brock Nelson each rang shots off the post, and Noah Hanifin stepped out of the penalty box at 13:44 in time to collect the puck and take off on a clean breakaway that was denied by Saros.

The United States did score to tie the game 1-1 at 10:21. Brady Tkachuk scored a greasy goal on a second or third effort with Miller on the ice, though not on the score sheet.

BRADY TKACHUK DRIVES IT HOME FOR USA! 🇺🇸

It's tied on ESPN/ESPN+‼️ pic.twitter.com/Ump3GaqpnI

— ESPN (@espn) February 14, 2025

But that’s all the U.S. could manage against Saros in the opening period despite outshooting Finland 13-7 and out-chancing the Finns 13-2, including 8-1 in high-danger opportunities.

There was more frustration in the second period for the United States as Finland did an excellent job clogging the neutral zone. The Finns limited Team USA to seven shots in the second, but did allow the go-ahead goal at 17:04.

Boldy deflected a Brock Faber shot into the net to make it 2-1 after the U.S. won a series of puck battles in the offensive zone. Again, Miller was on the ice for a U.S. score, letting Kyle Connor’s pass from down low slide back to the right point for a waiting Faber.

BROCK FABER WRISTER, MATT BOLDY DEFLECTION 🚨 pic.twitter.com/6bfKe2j7HX

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 14, 2025

There was no frustration in the third period for the United States, which scored twice in the opening 26 seconds and added another at the 3-minute mark to blow the game open at 5-1.

Matthew Tkachuk spun around and whipped a right-wing shot that tipped off the stick of Finland defenseman Niko Mikkola, the former Rangers blueliner, and past Saros for a power-play goal just 15 seconds into the third.

Then Guentzel zipped a left-wing shot past Saros, finishing a slick passing sequence with Jack Hughes and Matthews. Brady Tkachuk followed with his second goal on a nifty forehand-to-backhand finish after a slick pass from Eichel.

THE UNITED STATES OF TKACHUK 🇺🇸

BRADY HAS HIS SECOND OF THE GAME 🚨 pic.twitter.com/6A2tl3UXaR

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 14, 2025

At 4:03, Fox was sent off for a coincidental minor with Sebastian Aho. Thirty seconds later Werenski was whistled for a tripping penalty and Finland had a 4-on-3 power play. So, Sullivan sent Miller and Trocheck over the boards as the forward PK combination and the pair of Rangers did the job on a strong kill by Team USA.

Matthew Tkachuk made it 6-1 with a power-play goal at 11:13. The Florida Panthers forward deflected Werenski’s shot into Saros’ pads and then buried his own rebound for his second goal of the game.

Tkachuk and Kreider mixed it up a bit post whistle early in the third period, jawing at each other pretty good. During the spat, Kreider reached over and grabbed Tkachuk’s mouthguard, which was dangling to the side of the Florida forward’s mouth. Skating away, Kreider threw the mouthguard up in the air to Tkachuk’s amusement.

So, what did the Panthers super-pest think about Kreider’s actions?

“I told him that was the best play he made all game,” Tkachuk joked Wednesday.

"I told him that was the best play he made all game"

Matthew Tkachuk on Chris Kreider throwing his mouth guard into the stands: pic.twitter.com/LaVX0r8Sdt

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) May 29, 2024

All joking aside, it was a rough night for Kreider, who didn’t record a shot on goal and is without a point so far in this series. Then the Rangers lost quickly in overtime when Sam Reinhart scored 1:12 in on the power play.

It could have been even worse for the veteran Rangers forward. As Jeff Marek pointed out on the 32 Thoughts podcast, had he succeeded in throwing the mouthguard into the crowd, Kreider would have received a game misconduct.

Related: 3 reasons for Rangers optimism ahead of Game 5 vs. Panthers

Rangers, Panthers stars engage in ‘game-within-the-game stuff’

Tkachuk, who’s constantly yapping on the ice and has been in the ear of Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin all series, is used to this kind of thing. Kreider is a bit more serious and buttoned up, certainly not known as a pest, though earlier in his career he had a bit of a reputation for crashing into goalies.

So, perhaps, not two choir boys out there.

Probably, more like two players going hard in a tough playoff battle.

“I guess it’s just game-within-the-game stuff, from their side and then from our side,” Tkachuk explained.

Kreider threw Tkachuk's mouthguard into the crowd after a scrum 😳😅 https://t.co/C4OV3BpP5i

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 29, 2024

And though this may sound like a unique move by Kreider, Tkachuk said he’s had his mouthguard — which usually dangles from the side of his mouth as opposed to affixed to his teeth — ripped away before.

“It’s not the first time it’s happened actually. Normally, they just give it back, I can’t remember. I think the last time, they took it and threw it right back at me,” Tkachuk said. “Is what it is. Game within a game. Playoffs. Gotta love it.”

Tkachuk had an assist Tuesday and has five points (one goals, four assists) against the Rangers in this series.

The best-of-7 series is tied 2-2, with the critical Game 5 set to be played at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

Kreider grabbed Tkachuk’s mouthguard, which was dangling out of the mouth of the Panthers forward, when the two were jawing at one another early in the third. When finally separated by officials, Kreider appears to throw the mouthguard toward the crowd.

Kreider threw Tkachuk's mouthguard into the crowd after a scrum 😳😅 https://t.co/C4OV3BpP5i

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 29, 2024

Reportedly, Kreider was unsuccessful and the mouthguard landed harmlessly on the ice. And that saved him from a game misconduct, as explained by Jeff Marek on the 32 Thoughts podcast Wednesday.

“If he was trying to do it, he was lucky he didn’t do it,” Marek shared. “You know why? You know what the penalty is for doing it? It’s a game misconduct. It’s rule 53.5. So, he may have tried to throw it but the fact that he couldn’t actually saved him a game misconduct.”

Asked by Peter Baugh of The Athletic after the game about the incident, Kreider played dumb.

“I don’t remember that,” Kreider said.

But it did happen. Well, most of the story happened. Just not all of it.

“I know it’s a hilarious story but unfortunately it isn’t true. Kreider did not throw Tkachuk’s mouthguard into the crowd. It went straight up and it landed right on the ground,” Elliotte Friedman explained on 32 Thoughts. “Now, he may have been trying to do it, but he failed in his attempt.”

Related: Blake Wheeler’s inspirational return ends on sour note in Game 4 loss

Chris Kreider’s struggles continue for Rangers against Panthers

If Kreider grabbed Tkachuk’s mouthpiece and it was a show of anger or frustration, it’s understandable. The Panthers were again dominating how the game was being played, severely tilting the ice in their favor. Somehow the Rangers got this game to overtime again — riding the great play of Igor Shesterkin — before losing 3-2 in Game 4.

Kreider was held without a shot on goal and only one attempt in 19:23 of ice time Tuesday. He is without a point in the series and is minus-3 with five shots on goal. This follows his dramatic natural hat trick in the decisive Game 6 against the Carolina Hurricanes in the second round, making the funk all the more confusing.

With Kreider and Zibanejad on the ice in Game 4, the Rangers were out-attempted by a whopping 21-5.

“We’ve got to do a better job of advancing pucks up the ice and establishing O-zone presence,” Kreider explained to Gannett. “A lot of that falls on me. I’ve got to be able to get in there and win pucks – get my body on pucks, move my feet and allow us to get up the ice and start rolling.”

That has not happened with any sense of consistency in this series, which is now even 2-2 heading back to Madison Square Garden for a crucial Game 5 on Thursday.

No doubt, the Rangers would prefer fewer hijinks and more production from the all-time playoff goals leader.

Giving credit to where credit is due, the Panthers played a near-perfect road game, clamping down defensively from the opening puck drop, taking a first-period lead and riding Sergei Bobrovsky’s 23 saves to victory.

The Panthers have won five of six road games in the postseason and now have a four-game road winning streak. It was only the second shutout for Bobrovsky in 82 career games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe each had a goal and an assist to lead the Panthers. Sam Bennett had an empty-net goal, five shots and four hits.

“I think we can play better. I don’t think that was the best version of ourselves,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette.

Igor Shesterkin allowed two goals on 26 shots, including an own goal in the third period off Alexis Lafreniere, who, ironically, might have been New York’s most effective player offensively.

“We have better in us,” Mika Zibanejad said after the Rangers lost for the third time in their past four playoff games. That after beginning the postseason with seven consecutive wins.

Related: Alexis Lafreniere could be Rangers best weapon against Panthers

Florida Panthers 3 – New York Rangers 0

Though the Panthers had an 18-12 shots advantage and the better of the play territorially, they only had a 1-0 lead on the scoreboard through two periods.

That lone goal belonged to Tkachuk, who scored his fifth of the postseason and first in six games at 16:26 of the first period. The goal came off the rush with Florida defenseman Gustav Forsling pushing the Rangers back into their own end before dropping a pass back to Tkachuk, who sent a quick wrist shot past the glove hand of Shesterkin.

MATTHEW TKACHUK SCORES THE FIRST GOAL OF THE ECF 🔥 https://t.co/XXdWFl1YGm

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 23, 2024

A bit more than a minute later, the Rangers had their best scoring chance when Kaapo Kakko sent Braden Schneider off on a clear breakaway. Though Schneider’s forehand shot beat Bobrovsky, the puck hit the post and the score remained 1-0.

Prime scoring chances were few and far between for each team in the first 40 minutes. The Rangers best sustained pressure came at the start of the second period, when they opened with four shots in less than two minutes. Bobrovsky stopped one shot through traffic with his pads, then denied Will Cuylle after the Rangers rookie broke in behind the defense on a partial break. Vincent Trocheck cut to the net and redirected a neat Lafreniere pass on net that a perfectly positioned Bobrovsky shrugged away.

After that surge, the Panthers threw a defensive blanket over the Blueshirts and did not allow a shot for a span of 14:25. The Rangers drew their first power play at 18:34 of the second period and had one excellent scoring chance when Zibanejad whistled a one-timer toward a seemingly open short side of the net. But the puck hit Trocheck in front as Bobrovsky was diving across the crease and the horn sounded to end the period seconds later.

Laviolette tried to shake things up by changing New York’s line combinations, including moving Filip Chytil up from the third line for a few shifts and putting Artemi Panarin on a line with Zibanejad and Chris Kreider for stretches. Chytil, who didn’t play much in the third period, logged only 9:17 in ice time in his second game since missing six months with an upper-body injury believed to be a concussion.

Panarin finished minus-3 with three shots on goal and seven shot attempts in a whopping 24:37 of ice time.

Though the Panthers had the better of the play, it’s not as if they were piling up great scoring chances. Shesterkin did make a couple tough stops, including a glove deflection of an Aleksander Barkov backhander from the slot at 15:03 of the second.

The Panthers had the game’s first two power plays, but did little with either opportunity against the outstanding Rangers penalty kill.

Florida’s lead remained 1-0 early in the third because Shesterkin made two big stops on separate shifts against Verhaeghe. First, the Rangers goalie was in the right position to swallow a turnaround shot from the slot. And then Verhaeghe’s slap shot off the rush was kicked out by Shesterkin’s left pad minutes later.

A huge moment in the game took place at 8:45 of the third period. Florida’s Oliver Ekman-Larsson drilled a left-wing shot past Shesterkin but the Rangers successfully challenged the on-ice goal call because Ryan Lomberg was in the blue paint and made contact with the Rangers netminder.

The Rangers successfully challenge OEL's goal for goaltender interference 👀 https://t.co/pWE1CWPxG0

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 23, 2024

It was a huge break for the Blueshirts and kept their deficit at one goal. They caught another break when Anton Lundell’s power-play deflection hit the crossbar minutes later. And after Lafreniere ripped a shot off the post at the other end, still another break when the Panthers were penalized for having too many men on the ice at 13:11.

Bobrovsky made two huge saves on the Rangers power play, first on Trocheck in tight and then on an Adam Fox bomb shortly after. And the Panthers had their second successful kill of the night.

“He’s been unbelievable all playoffs … when we need him, he comes up huge,” Verhaeghe said about Bobrovsky.

A massive bad break went against the Rangers, when a back-checking Lafreniere inadvertently deflected a Verhaeghe centering pass into his own net to make it 2-0 at 16:12 of the third period. The play started with Shesterkin coming far out of his net to play the puck, only to turn it over along the wall to Verhaeghe, who ended up with his seventh goal of the playoffs.

After Shesterkin was pulled for the extra attacker, Bobrovsky made a lightning-quick left-pad save on Zibanejad’s low blast with 2:45 to play. That ended up being New York’s last gasp because Bennett sent a shot from his side of the red line dead center into the empty net with 1:19 remaining. Bennett’s third goal iced the Game 1 road win for the Panthers, 3-0.

“Our whole entire game has to be better,” Kreider said.

Game 2 of this best-of-7 series takes place Friday night at The Garden.