Adam Fox scored two goals and assisted on another, Igor Shesterkin continued his fast start by making 18 saves and the Rangers avenged their opening-night loss to the Penguins with a 6-1 victory at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday night.

It was Sullivan’s first game in the arena he called home for the past 10 seasons since mutually parting ways with the Penguins last spring. He received a warm reception from the crowd of 16,716 in recognition for his team-record 409 regular-season wins and leading the Penguins to Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017.

Penguins video tribute for #NYR coach Mike Sullivan in his return, apologies for the obstruction. pic.twitter.com/GuXCEKk0dd

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) October 11, 2025

“It’s emotional, you know? It means a lot,” Sullivan said afterward. “When you watch a tribute like that, which I was very appreciative of — the Penguins, they didn’t have to do that — it brings back a flood of emotions.”

The Penguins spoiled his first game behind the Rangers bench on Tuesday with a 3-0 win at Madison Square Garden, but the Blueshirts made sure the return match would be different.

Shesterkin was the main reason the Rangers ended the first period up 1-0 despite being outshot 9-4. Just as he was in the 4-0 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, No. 31 was flawless. He had to be, because the Rangers generated almost no offense.

The only goal came after Juuso Parssinen took a holding penalty at 7:17. Fox broke up a pass by Sidney Crosby and sent Sam Carrick up the left side on a 2-on-1 break. Carrick made a perfect pass to Mika Zibanejad, who zipped a shot past Arturs Silovs at 7:40 to put the Rangers ahead. The goal was his 251st with the Rangers, passing Mark Messier for eighth on the team’s all-time list.

Carrick with the feed + Mika does his thing for the shorty. pic.twitter.com/SA0lI0pvd0

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 11, 2025

“Sam made a great play,” Zibanejad told MSG between periods.

Rangers rout Penguins in Mike Sullivan’s return to Pittsburgh

The goal came on the Rangers’ third shot of the period. They had just one more in the final 12:40, but Shesterkin kept Pittsburgh off the board.

The Penguins briefly got even when Ben Kindel, the 11th player taken in the 2025 NHL Draft, scored his first NHL goal at 3:04 of the second period. It wasn’t very complicated; the 18-year-old carried the puck into the right circle and ripped a high wrist shot that beat Shesterkin on the short side. It was the first goal allowed by Shesterkin in more than six periods of play.

But the 1-1 tie didn’t last long. Fox put the Rangers ahead to stay at 6:06 with a shot through traffic from above the left circle after a pass from Adam Edstrom. Carrick didn’t get a point, but he screened Silovs to cap a terrific effort by the fourth line.

“It was a great shift by that line. They created havoc,” Fox told MSG. “Eddy found me.”

The power play, which was MIA for large parts of the season, then connected twice to turn a 2-1 lead into a 4-1 advantage after two periods.

Rookie center Noah Laba got his first NHL point with a perfect pass from the right circle that Will Cuylle converted at 9:25. Fox used a screen by J.T. Miller to beat Silovs at 16:38 for his second of the night and third of the season.

Cools in front for the PPG. pic.twitter.com/2ltqBzQ5Bc

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 12, 2025

In all, the Rangers outshot the Penguins 14-3, a total that reflected the play as they capitalized on Silovs’ struggles to deal with screens.

The fourth line continued its big night in the third period. Silovs stopped Matt Rempe in close, but Edstrom banged the rebound off his linemate and into the net at 5:40 for a 5-1 lead. Laba got his second assist of the game with a terrific individual effort that resulted in the first Rangers goal by newcomer Taylor Raddysh at 14:12.

The Rangers don’t have long to enjoy the win. They conclude a season-opening stretch of four games in six nights when the Washington Capitals visit the Garden on Sunday night. The Caps got their first win of the season on Saturday, defeating the Islanders 4-2 at UBS Arena.

Here are some other key takeaways from New York’s 6-1 win in Pittsburgh.

1. Sullivan gets Standing O – and a W

Give credit to the fans in Pittsburgh, who gave their team’s former coach a standing ovation after a video tribute during the first media timeout. Sullivan did his best in the media scrum that followed the morning skate to play down the homecoming angle, saying that this was “just another game.”

He tried not to show any emotion as the video celebrated his accomplishments with the Penguins, but did wave to the fans as they saluted him.

Standing ovation for Mike Sullivan pic.twitter.com/Edtokdj2JN

— Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) October 11, 2025

“It means a lot,” he said of the video and the fans’ tribute. “I’m grateful for everything that we accomplished here during my time. I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach here in Pittsburgh for 10 years. And I’m so grateful to the group of players over those years that performed the way they did that allowed us to have the success that we had.”

Fox said there was extra motivation for this game after the dud in Sullivan’s debut on Tuesday.

“We let him down definitely that first game,” he said. “It’s obviously emotional for him to be back at a place he’s been for so long and had so much success. We didn’t give him the best start, but I thought we responded really well and definitely happy to get the win for him.”

2. Fox looks like his old self

The 2021 Norris Trophy winner has three goals in three games after scoring twice on Saturday. For comparison, he needed 48 games to score his third goal last season.

He got plenty of help from his teammates against the Penguins. Both of his goals came because a teammate took away Silovs’ ability to track the puck.

Sullivan is pleased with Fox’s offense — and his play in his own zone.

“I think his offense speaks for itself, he sees the game really well,” the coach said. “He has the ability to slow the game down offensively, and a lot of players don’t do that in today’s game.

“What I like about his game right now is just his physicality down low. He’s defending. He’s defending hard. … I’ve been really impressed with his commitment to play defense.”

Fox helped fuel a power play that was 2-for-4 and played 2:34 on a penalty-killing unit that was 4-for-4 and killed off all nine opposition power plays in the first three games.

3. Big night for fourth line

Like most teams, the Rangers are always looking for depth scoring. On this night, they got all they could ask for from the unit of Carrick, Rempe and Edstrom.

The threesome combined for five points – Rempe’s goal, and two assists each by Edstrom and Carrick. Rempe and Edstrom, who don’t kill penalties, were each plus-2; Carrick, who does, finished plus-3 thanks to his play on Zibanejad’s short-handed goal.

The Rangers will need more nights like this from the towering threesome.

4. Soucy joins injury parade

A scary moment for Carson Soucy after a collision with Rakell

Thankfully he was able to get up and skate off under his own power
pic.twitter.com/nhl6bEbL4W

— Spittin' Chiclets (@spittinchiclets) October 12, 2025

The one drawback to the big win was that defenseman Carson Soucy wasn’t around to enjoy the end of it.

The big defenseman left the game early in the second period after crashing awkwardly into the boards, following a collision with Penguins forward Rickard Rakell. He was able to skate off — but didn’t return because of an upper-body injury, meaning that the Rangers played the final 36-plus minutes with five defensemen.

There was no word after the game about Soucy’s condition or whether he’ll be able to play Sunday. If he can’t, Matthew Robertson, a healthy scratch for the third straight game, could see his first action of the season against Washington.

The Rangers are already without center Vincent Trocheck, who’s week-to-week with an upper-body injury sustained in a 4-0 win at Buffalo on Thursday.

However, he said after the morning skate that his eyes are on the future, not the past.

“When I saw the schedule in the summertime, I hoped you wouldn’t see us until March,” he joked, drawing laughter from the assembled media. “But it is what it is. It’s something I can’t control, and it’s an inevitability. It’s just part of the process. When the puck drops tonight, it’s going to be another hockey game, and we’re going to do our best to win it.

Mike Sullivan is back at PPG Paints Arena. #Pens #NYR pic.twitter.com/phecf3njg5

— Wes Crosby (@OtherNHLCrosby) October 11, 2025

“I’m excited about the group of players we have here. They’re a great group of guys. I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had to work with them, up to this point. We have a lot of enthusiasm around our team right now, and we’re excited about what we can potentially do moving forward.”

When asked about his return and everything that will accompany it, Sullivan replied that “It’s probably a better question for after the game. Right now, I’m just trying to focus on beating the Penguins.”

The Penguins had lost their way when Sullivan took over for Mike Johnston in December 2015. A few months later, they were Stanley Cup champions. The Rangers, who hired Sullivan on May 2, less than a week after he and the Penguins parted ways, lost 3-0 to Pittsburgh on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden in Sullivan’s debut before blanking the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 on Thursday, would love to see that kind of success next spring.

Mike Sullivan sees similarities between 2025 Rangers, 2015 Pens

Sullivan said there “might be some similarities” between the 2015 Penguins and this season’s Rangers.

“You could probably draw some correlation,” he said. “What I’ll tell you is that when I took the team over in Pittsburgh, when I looked at the roster, I felt like it was a roster that was deep with talent and had an opportunity to become a good team. When I look at this Rangers team, I think we’ve got a roster that has a lot of talent, and our challenge is to become a good team. And so, that’s the journey that we’re going on right now.

“I think it starts with building an identity, and that’s something that we’ve talked a lot about, as far as how we want to play and what, we’ll use the phrase Rangers hockey, looks like when it’s at its best. And we’re trying to define that and refine that every single day when we work with these guys. I think that’s an important aspect of what I do as the head coach. And so from that standpoint, I think there might be some similarities.”

The Rangers were flatter than yesterday’s pancakes in the season-opening loss to the Penguins. They were better in Buffalo, though goaltender Igor Shesterkin had to bail them out on more than one occasion. They also lost center Vincent Trocheck, who’s week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

“I don’t think our group was at its best, that’s for sure,” he said of the loss to the Pens at the Garden. “We know there’s a whole better version of this group. We were a much better team in Buffalo. The reasons for that – sometimes it’s hard to put a finger on, but whenever there are home openers, my experience is that there’s a lot of emotion around those things, and you never know how they’re going to impact the group.”

While Sullivan is focused on the team he’s coaching now, he’s very much aware that this isn’t just any game. He’ll be facing Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang – the longtime core of the Penguins – in the building where he was their coach for 10 seasons.

“It’s a lot different, obviously, being on the opposite side,” he said of coaching against players who were a huge part of his success in Pittsburgh. “It’s not something I’ve given a whole lot of thought to. But obviously I’m so grateful for the opportunity I had here to coach the Penguins for the amount of time I was able to do it. We had a lot of good memories, and I’m grateful for that.

“I think the opportunity and the experience I was given here in Pittsburgh changed my life in so many ways from a career standpoint, what we were able to accomplish as a group, was a career-changing experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunity I was given here to work with that group of players. You know how I feel about that core group that’s been here over the years. Those relationships last a lifetime.”

Pittsburgh Penguins correspondent Wes Crosby contributed to this report

Sullivan spent the past 10 seasons coaching the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be trying to spoil opening night for their old coach when they step onto the ice at Madison Square Garden. His decade with the Penguins included the highs of winning the Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017 – and the lows of missing the playoffs in each of his last three seasons.

He and the Penguins agreed to part ways April 28, and Rangers general manager Chris Drury struck quickly, signing him on May 2 and bringing him back to New York, where he had been an assistant more than a decade earlier. Unsurprisingly, the NHL decided that one of the three nationally televised games on the first night of the season would match Sullivan’s new team against his old one.

But he said after the morning skate that his focus is on the team he’s coaching now.

“When I went home last night and was thinking about today and how we can put the best version of the New York Rangers on the ice,” he said, “that’s where my focus was – on our players and the message we’re going to bring to our guys today in order to try to set them up for success.”

He did admit during training camp that starting his time behind the Rangers bench by trying to knock off his former team won’t be easy.

“I haven’t really thought about what it’s going to be like. I’m sure there will be a lot of mixed emotions,” he said last week. “The relationships I built with those guys were strong. We had the privilege of winning a couple of championships together with some of those guys, and I think when you go through experiences like that, it certainly galvanizes relationships that last a lifetime.”

The Penguins still have their “Big Three” – centers Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, as well as defenseman Kris Letang – who helped them win the back-to-back championships under Sullivan nearly a decade ago. Though Crosby is still among the elite players in the League at age 38, Malkin and Letang slowed markedly.

Sullivan has very good relationships with each, though his bond with Crosby is the strongest. That will add another layer to what takes place Tuesday at The Garden.

Mike Sullivan very familiar with opponent in Rangers coaching debut

But there’s no question that Sullivan is focused on his current team, not his old one. Sullivan and his staff are trying to right a franchise that went from winning the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24 to missing the playoffs last season. The defense and special teams fell apart, the compete level diminished as the season went on and a largely veteran team was rocked by trades – including one that sent captain Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks in early December.

Sullivan’s zone defensive system looks like a better match for the talent he has in New York than predecessor Peter Laviolette’s mostly man-on-man style of play. Center Vincent Trocheck said the new system gives players more energy to go on offense because they’re defending an area instead of chasing one man.

“It’s not a man-on-man system where you’re just chasing your guy the entire shift, which a lot of times whenever you are doing that it does take away energy for offense,” Trocheck told NHL.com. “Any time you do turn the puck over you might not have the legs to get to offense, whereas in this system it’s more reading and reacting. You’re in your area, basically.”

One thing that should help Sullivan and the Rangers is that they figure to be at full strength. Center J.T. Miller (lower body) and forward Artemi Panarin (lower- and upper-body injuries that kept him from playing in the preseason) practiced with full contact Monday and will be in the lineup.

Forward Conor Sheary, who was a member of both Cup-winning teams during Sullivan’s time with the Pittsburgh, signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Rangers on Monday after attending training camp on a PTO.

So, there’ll be some familiarity on the Rangers side for their new coach. Not that that matters, per se. Sullivan is locked in.

“What I will tell you is that my focus will be on the Rangers and doing our very best to set this group up for success,” he explained. “But I’m sure there will be emotions.”

Sheary became a free agent on July 1 after the Tampa Bay Lightning put him on waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, which had one season remaining. The Bolts signed Sheary to a three-year, $6 million contract ($2 million average annual value) on July 1, 2023.

#NYR have signed Conor Sheary to a PTO, The Post has learned.https://t.co/Bcnt71sPKA via @nypostsports

— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) July 25, 2025

However, after he had 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 57 games for Tampa Bay in 2023-24, Sheary played just five games for the Lightning last season (only one after the end of November) without scoring a point. He spent most of the season in the American Hockey League, playing 59 games for Syracuse and finishing with 61 points (20 goals, 41 assists).

Sheary reportedly asked the Lightning to terminate his contract to get a chance to return to the NHL.

The 5-foot-8 native of Winchester, Massachusetts, has played 593 regular-season games during 10 NHL seasons, scoring 124 goals and 267 points, averaging 13:56 of ice time. He also has 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 72 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Conor Sheary (TB) on waivers to terminate contract.

Sheary had one more year at a $2M AAV, but couldn’t get one roster due to TB cap problems.

He asked to terminate to get a chance to be in NHL

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 29, 2025

Four of those playoff goals and 10 of the points came in 2016, when he helped the Penguins win the first of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with Sullivan as coach. The undrafted free agent forward was called up by the Penguins from Wilkes-Barre Scranton of the AHL on Dec. 15, 2015 – three days after Sullivan replaced Mike Johnson as coach – and became a useful middle-six forward for the Pens.

His best season came in 2016-17, when he scored 23 goals, finished with 53 points and was plus-24 – the only time in his career he’s hit the 20-goal and 50-point marks – to help the Penguins repeat as champions.

The Penguins traded Sheary to the Buffalo Sabres in June 2018, then reacquired him on Feb. 24, 2020. In all, Sheary played 192 games with the Penguins over two stints and four seasons — all under Sullivan — putting up 49 goals, 97 points and a plus-24 rating.

Rangers reportedly bringing in Conor Sheary on PTO

Sheary signed as a free agent with the Washington Capitals in December 2020 and averaged 16 goals over three seasons with them before signing with Tampa Bay.

The Rangers, who signed Sullivan to a five-year contract on May 2, four days after he parted ways with the Penguins following a third-straight non-playoff season, obviously are taking a flyer on Sheary with the hope that reuniting with his old coach will help him find his game. It’s a low-risk move for the Blueshirts, who are still looking for answers on their third and fourth lines, but the onus is on him to prove that he still has something left and can contribute on an NHL roster, even in a lower-level role.

With less than $800,000 of salary-cap space remaining, according to PuckPedia, taking a free look at Sheary in training camp is good insurance in case youngsters like 20-year-old Gabe Perreault aren’t ready for the NHL. His ceiling is probably as a third-line forward.

However, the Rangers also have a number of young forwards, including Adam Edstrom, Matt Rempe, Juuso Parssinen, Taylor Raddysh, Brett Berard, Brennan Othmann and Perreault who’ve played in the NHL and AHL, are already under contract and will be battling for jobs at training camp.

It’s hard to imagine Sullivan didn’t have some input on a move involving a player who played on his two Cup-winning teams, especially when the Rangers are basically getting a free look to see if Sheary can still play at the NHL level. It’s also not impossible that general manager Chris Drury has another move or two up his sleeve before camp opens in September.

Former Rangers defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is among those who will be on hand.

“The hat I’m wearing right now [is] for one of my good buddies, Jimmy Hayes (a seven-year NHL veteran who died in 2021 with died with fentanyl and cocaine in his system). This is something that hits home for me,” Shattenkirk told NHL Network. “Seeing the message that’s behind it and knowing you can make a difference with such a small act, it goes a long way.”

Some of the NHL's best will be on display at the 2025 Shoulder Check Showcase, taking place on July 24th at 4pm ET! https://t.co/7CNa5ohiD9 pic.twitter.com/aLeAf1OA7b

— NHL Media (@NHLMedia) July 20, 2025

From its beginnings just two summers ago, the Showcase has become a marquee summer event, featuring talent like Shattenkirk, former Rangers forward Chris Kreider and current backup goalie Jonathan Quick. Current Rangers Brett Berard and Matt Rempe will be playing, as will former Rangers Kreider, Frank Vatrano and Kevin Hayes (Jimmy’s brother).

CLICK HERE for more information about the Shoulder Check Showcase and movement.

New York Rangers news

Forever Blueshirts: Don Maloney discussed his “magical” rookie season and a lot more with our own Jim Cerny on their recent Rink Rap podcast. The kid brother of newly selected Rangers TV analyst Dave Maloney also reminisces about being GM of the New York Islanders when they were demolished by the Blueshirts in the opening round of the 1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs and the thrill of stepping onto the ice as a Ranger at Madison Square Garden.

NHL Rumors, News, & the Sportsnaut Family

Philly Hockey Now: The departure of top-level players from major juniors to college hockey continues. Porter Martone, who was picked sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the NHL Draft last month, is heading to Michigan State, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Monday. Martone was the captain of the OHL’s Brampton Steelheads last season. He racked up 98 points (37 goals, 61 assists) in 57 regular-season games. He’ll be playing Big Ten games against Gavin McKenna, the likely No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft, who left Medicine Hat of the Western Hockey League for Penn State earlier this month.

The Athletic: The Detroit Red Wings again came out on top in the online sports daily’s annual fan poll of NHL TV teams, finishing first locally and nationally. The Seattle Kraken were second for the second straight year. The outgoing Rangers tandem of Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti finished ninth. And who was last, you ask? The Boston Bruins, even with Judd Sirott replacing longtime (and polarizing) play-by-play man Jack Edwards.

TSN: If you want to win in the NHL these days, an effective power play is a must. Here’s a look behind the numbers. Long story short: Unless you’re extremely good (think Carolina Hurricanes) or absolutely awful (Chicago Blackhawks, anyone) at even strength, your power-play success will have a major impact on whether you make the playoffs.

NHL.com: Goalie Mikhail Yegorov isn’t a candidate for the New Jersey Devils’ starting job – yet. But after leading Boston University to the NCAA title game last season, there’s every indication he’ll end up as their starter after playing another year or two at BU – especially on a team whose two goalies are already in their mid-30s.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Kyle Dubas is racing to rebuild the Pittsburgh Penguins in time to give Sidney Crosby one more trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Penguins are loaded with young players, but they may not be ready in time. Getting Sid one more shot at the postseason likely would mean refraining from trading veterans like defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. There have been plenty of trade rumors surrounding the Pens in recent weeks, but it doesn’t look like anything’s cooking right now.

Florida Hockey Now: What’s the best jersey in Florida Panthers history? According to a poll by The Athletic, it’s the current one. It’s hard to argue with the Panthers’ results in the decade they’ve worn it, especially with back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. A lot of fans still like the original jersey, and there are hints it may return for the Winter Classic game against the Rangers on Jan. 2 at LoanDepot Park.

San Jose Hockey Now: Shane Bowers is 25 – and eight years removed from being a first-round pick (No. 28) by the Ottawa Senators in the 2017 draft. He’s played just 13 NHL games since being drafted but hopes that being traded from the powerhouse Colorado Avalanche to the San Jose Sharks, who finished last in the NHL in 2024-25, will provide the opportunity he’s been waiting for.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury has until 48 hours before the draft begins to decide if New York will send the No. 12 pick to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers sent a top-13 protected first-round pick to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 31 in the trade the brought center J.T. Miller to New York; the Canucks quickly wheeled it to the Penguins for defenseman Marcus Pettersson. If the Rangers opt to use their pick this year, they’ll give Pittsburgh their first-rounder in 2026.

Here are two potential choices if the Rangers keep their pick.

Lynden Lakovic

Moose Jaw (WHL): 6 foot-4, 190 pounds
2024-25 stats: 58 points (27 goals, 31 assists) in 47 games

NHL.com analysis from Adam Kimelman:

Lakovic is an outstanding skater for a player his size (6-4, 190), and the 18-year-old has the ability to skate through checks or put a defender on his hip and use his length to protect the puck and use another asset, his outstanding shot.”

The captain of the Moose Jaw Warriors this season has a lot of potential. He’s had a five-inch growth spurt since getting drafted into the WHL and has to grow into his body to help with his skating. When Lakovic gets going with the puck, he’s pretty tough to stop. While he lacks some skating mechanics, he’s incredibly hard to defend once he enters the offensive zone with speed and his skates wide apart to shield off opponents.

Once Lakovic establishes his stride entering the zone, he holds the puck in a shooting position to get off a shot that can beat goalies cleanly. Very accurate with his placement. If the lane isn’t there, he also still has the ability to shift his weight to create space or find soft spots in the defense to set up teammates. He’s also a strong stickhandler who will gladly take on opponents 1-on-1 before getting his shot off or finding the open man.

Opponents have to respect his size and shot. Even if he’s facing a backchecker or has the puck on a 2-on-1, defensemen are always tempted to pinch on him before he gets going. This always leaves someone open, and he’s better at finding that teammate than most in his draft class. He has well-rounded offensive instincts and can make teammates around him better.

There’s a lot in his play that’s reminiscent of Anaheim Ducks forward Cutter Gauthier. Lakovic isn’t as strong a skater, but his confidence in his north-south game where he dares anyone to get in his way is something that should stand out at the NHL level.

From riding a career-high 13-game point streak to scoring the first goal of the CHL vs USA Prospects Challenge to being named Captain in his first game back from injury, this season has been filled with moments to remember for Lynden Lakovic.

Read more 📰 https://t.co/c7SL5HWmRY pic.twitter.com/wsAhQmnJ5I

— Moose Jaw Warriors (@MJWARRIORS) March 28, 2025

Lakovic’s eventual pro debut will likely be determined by how long it takes him to finish growing into his body. Once he does, this should help not only his skating, but his defensive play and compete level as well. In the meantime, his size, stickhandling and release should make him a player who teams have to pay attention to.

Related: Sweden teammates offer more options for Rangers with No. 12 pick in 2025 NHL Draft

A number of mock drafts have him going at No. 14 to Columbus, which already has young depth at center. Lakovic is someone to keep an eye on as a promising power forward.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 2-3 years

Benjamin Kindel

Calgary (WHL): 5 foot-10, 176 pounds
2024-25 totals: 99 points (35 goals – 64 assists) in 65 games

Analysis from EliteProspects 2025 NHL Draft Guide:

“Ben Kindel, RW, Calgary (WHL): Pace, vision, and translatability are Kindel’s calling cards. With feet that never stop moving, he weaves through traffic, draws defenders,and works give-and-gos. In a single rush, he builds several passing plays and then escapes the wall for a chance. A skillful mid-range shooter and even more dangerous passer, he brings dual-threat scoring ability.”

Kindle has very high-end potential. He’s an explosive skater with or without the puck who can make opponents pay quickly off a turnover or in transition. From there, he can find the back of the net in several ways.

His shot is one of his biggest attributes. Once possession is established In the offensive zone, there’s a bit of Drake Batherson level instincts that kick-in. Though he’ll get more of his points a a playmaker, opponents can’t ignore his shot.

Kindel can pick corners off the rush or at a standstill from almost anywhere in the offensive zone. He has terrific hand-eye coordination, and despite his lack of size has no issues going to the front of the net for tips and rebounds. Some of his better highlights for the Hitmen show him juggling a puck off a rebound with his legs or skates and batting it out of the air in-tight or from further out to beat goalies.

While Kindel figures to have more highlight-reel moments in the NHL someday, what separates him from most of his draft class now are his awareness and efficiency all over the ice. As soon as the puck is going the other way, he has a great work ethic to retrieve it in all three zones.

"You think about all the work you've put into it and all the people that helped support you all the way."

Ben Kindel sounds off on being in Buffalo for the NHL Combine and reflect on his season with the @WHLHitmen! pic.twitter.com/WhM9X32tLs

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) June 3, 2025

Kindel uses his speed incredibly well without the puck and on the backcheck, and he doesn’t let his size get in the way of his presence — is a great sign for whoever takes him in the first round. Defensively, he’s a lot like Wyatt Johnston of the Dallas Stars.

Related: Sweden teammates offer more options for Rangers with No. 12 pick in 2025 NHL Draft

In fact, he supports his defense so well you’d think he was a D-man when watching his line break out. Where wings are generally starting on the wall and looking to receive a stretch pass in stride from there, Kindel can be seen a lot in Adam Fox formation. He’s very comfortable taking the puck behind the net and springing teammates for a breakout or even a breakaway. Centers can do this at times, but it’s rare for a wing.

Kindel has a high hockey IQ and is a fine stickhandler who can find open teammates. At 18, he has room to grow and time to do it. The speedy right wing could be a very high-value pick for whoever selects him.

Projected timeline to the NHL: 2-3 years

Despite being outshot 39-16 and outplayed for the majority of the game, the Rangers found a way to escape Pittsburgh with a big win.

Igor Shesterkin and J.T. Miller practically willed the Rangers to victory in this one. Shesterkin was huge making 36 saves, while Miller, named the game’s First Star, scored twice in his hometown to give the Rangers the edge over their Metropolitan Division rival and earn a huge two points as the playoff race heats up.

JT Miller scores in his hometown to give the Rangers the lead 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Nm2F0Xbwhz

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 23, 2025

The Rangers fell behind in the first period before scoring a goal of their own by Will Cuylle. Miller scored his first of the game late in the second, but that’s all the Rangers could muster in what was an abysmal period — however, Shesterkin stood tall to carry New York into the third with a 2-1 lead.

After two quick goals by the Penguins, Jimmy Vesey tied the game 3-3, and Adam Fox gave the Rangers the lead for good. Miller scored his second of the game into an empty net to seal it for the Rangers in a game that they likely did not deserve to win.

Aside from the goal-scorers, K’ Andre Miller, Reilly Smith (2), Fox, Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, Ryan Lindgren, Mika Zibanejad, and Vesey all had assists.

Related: Rangers must pay pending RFA K’Andre Miller on track record, not potential

Three takeaways from Rangers 5-3 win over Penguins

Here are three takeaways from the game on Sunday:

1. Igor Shesterkin bounces back

Shesterkin desperately needed a bounce-back game after his poor performance Saturday in Buffalo. He gave up five goals on 16 shots and was pulled after 18:21 in an onslaught by the Sabres, who routed the Rangers 8-2. Playing less than a full period in that game, the Rangers turned to Shesterkin again Sunday, a wise decision which paid off in a big way.

The 29-year-old goalie was sensational in a game where the Rangers were anything but. He especially came up big in the second period where the Rangers were outshot 19-4. He also made some key stops in the final moments of the third period when the Penguins pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. This performance from Shesterkin came at a time when he desperately needed it, and so did the Rangers.

“You know he’s going to bounce back,” Ryan Lindgren said about Shesterkin. “He’s one of the best goalies in the League. He works so hard, he cares so much. You look at [Saturday], too, we’re leaving him out to dry. Did that tonight, too, in that second period. He made some huge saves.”

It’s been a rough stretch Shesterkin, who had failed to record a save percentage over .900 in his previous six starts, maxing out at .885 on Feb. 7, a 3-2 loss to the Penguins. He and the Rangers were 1-5-0 in those games, with each carrying more and more significance every passing day in the playoff race.

2. Rangers are outshot badly but steal two huge points

Despite being more than doubled up in shots by the Penguins, the Rangers were able to secure two massive points in the wild-card race. The win gives them 60 points (28-25-4), and they’re two points out of the second wild-card spot, held by the Ottawa Senators with 62 points.

The playoff race is as tight as ever, as the Columbus Blue Jackets also have 62 points, and the Boston Bruins have 61. Three teams are right behind the Rangers, each with 57 points and the Islanders hosting the Dallas Stars on Sunday. So, while it may not have been a pretty win by any means, earning the two points gets New York back on track and within striking distance of a playoff berth after getting blown out by the Eastern Conference cellar-dwelling Sabres.

3. J.T. Miller picks up where he left off, scores two massive goals in win

It’s been a whirlwind three weeks for J.T. Miller. After being traded by the Vancouver Canucks, the 31-year-old forward made the transition and played for the Rangers less than 24 hours after the trade. After five games with the Rangers, he suited up for the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off and was an integral piece of the lineup. Now, he’s back with the Rangers trying to help them earn a playoff spot, and he certainly did his part against the Penguins.

Miller’s two goals against the Penguins give him four goals and eight points in seven games with the Rangers, and he continues to make an impact in every imaginable way. Not only has he contributed on the score sheet, but his speed and physicality continue to open up the game and generate offense for the Rangers. Miller helped save the Rangers from another embarrassing loss, and boosted their playoff hopes.

Shesterkin made 30 saves in the first two periods (and 36 overall) when the Penguins mauled the Rangers but could only muster one goal against the revived goalie, who didn’t survive the first period on Saturday against the Sabres after surrendering five goals on 16 shots in an 8-2 loss.

But on this day, Shesterkin was a difference-maker. Yet, even with his heroics, the Rangers let a one-goal lead slip away in the third period before Jimmy Vesey scored to tie it and Adam Fox netted the game-winner. J.T. Miller’s second goal of the game into an empty net sealed the massively important and fortunate win for the Rangers.

Fox and Vesey each finished with two points, and Will Cuylle also scored for the Rangers (28-25-4), who are two points out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference. Reilly Smith had two assists.

Ryan Shea had two goals for the Penguins, who’ve lost three in a row. Evgeni Malkin had a goal an assist, and goalie Joel Blomqvist was not especially good, making 11 saves on 15 shots.

Related: Rangers must pay pending RFA K’Andre Miller on track record, not potential

New York Rangers 5 – Pittsburgh Penguins 3

The Rangers were thoroughly outplayed in the first period, yet emerged after 20 minutes tied 1-1.

It was even worse in the second period, when the Rangers were absolutely dominated. Yet, incredibly, they skated into the second intermission with a 2-1 lead.

The difference in the game was Shesterkin. He stopped 11 of 12 shots in the first period, when the Penguins had a dominating xGF of 0.74, per Natural Stat Trick. That was just the warmup. He stopped each of Pittsburgh’s 18 shots on goal in the second period, when it had an even better 0.76 xGF.

Odd-man rushes, point-blank shots, chances directly following numerous Rangers turnovers, rebounds, you name it. The Penguins were all over the puck, firing from all angles, as the Rangers looked the part of a team that had never played nor practiced together for long stretches.

But there was Shesterkin, one day after one of his lowest moments, standing tall and confident, a virtual one-man show for the Rangers.

The only shot to beat him through 40 minutes came at 12:53 of the first period, when Malkin scored his 10th goal of the season. After an extended shift in the offensive zone, Malkin shook off an Urho Vaakanainen check to deflect a Cody Glass shot/pass past Shesterkin to make it 1-0.

Doing nothing 5v5, the Rangers received their first power play at 17:51 when Kris Letang was sent off for tripping. Before the penalty time ran out, the Rangers second PP unit came through, tying the game 1-1 at 19:12.

Cuylle hammered a left-circle shot off the rush past Blomqvist after a sweet dash up ice by K’Andre Miller. It was Cuylle’s second goal in three games, 15th of the season and second on the power play.

Will Cuylle brings the Rangers even pic.twitter.com/LHmr9hszzt

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 23, 2025

The Rangers were tied 1-1 after one period despite being outshot 12-5. You might think that would give them a lift heading into the second. You’d be wrong.

The Penguins had 14 shots on goal in the second period before the Rangers recorded a single attempt. That changed when Arthur Kaliyev was credited with an attempt on a shot that was blocked by the Penguins.

The Rangers didn’t record their first official shot on goal of the period until 15:12, when Braden Schneider’s floater was gloved by Blomqvist.

It was just complete domination by the Penguins. Well, not complete. Because that would overlook Shesterkin’s brilliance in goal.

Somehow, the Rangers managed to score the only goal of the second period at the 17-minute mark. P.O. Joseph couldn’t keep a bouncing puck in at the left point, letting J.T. Miller take off on a 2-on-1 the other way with Alexis Lafreniere. Miller wired a right-wing shot past Blomqvist and the Rangers incredibly had a 2-1 lead.

J.T. Miller – New York Rangers (12) pic.twitter.com/KTGR6J4tHr

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) February 23, 2025

Outshot 30-9 and outchanced 24-7 through two periods, the Rangers had a one-goal lead on the road.

But then things got really strange in a wild sequence to begin the third period.

Shea, a defenseman who had one goal in 53 NHL games entering the game, scored twice in a span of 2:34 to put the Penguins up 3-2. First, he zipped a straightaway shot through a screen 57 seconds into the third period. Then at 3:31, Shea slapped a shot from the left point that was carrying wide of the net, but hit K’Andre Miller in front and deflected between Shesterkin’s pads to give Pittsburgh the lead.

But 50 seconds later, Vesey snapped a right-circle shot around a Penguins defenseman and into the net for his 100th NHL goal, tying the score 3-3 at 4:21.

Jimmy Vesey’s 100th career goal ties the game in the third period pic.twitter.com/IvFoabID9A

— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) February 23, 2025

Shortly thereafter, the Rangers had a scary moment when J.T. Miller attempted a check and appeared to jam his left hand/wrist. He skated off the ice in pain, received some treatment and remained in the game.

Fox restored the Rangers’ lead at 11:26, when he cut to the middle and snuck a shot past Blomqvist, who simply had to make that save and didn’t. Fox’s fifth goal gave the Rangers three goals on their last seven shots against Blomqvist at that point.

After the Penguins pulled Blomqvist for the extra attacker, Cuylle shot toward the empty net and his attempt deflected off Letang and then hit the post. Pittsburgh came back and stormed Shesterkin’s net, where a wild scramble included a clutch diving block just outside the blue paint by Rangers defenseman Will Borgen with under a minute remaining in regulation.

Miller iced the wild road victory with an empty-net goal with 6.5 seconds to play.

Having somehow split their first two games of this three-game road trip, the Rangers next visit the Islanders at UBS Arena on Tuesday.

In their latest crucial game, the Rangers will take the ice in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon less than 24 hours after allowing the first five goals in a terrible 8-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in the opener of a three-game road trip.

New York (27-25-4, 58 points) is four points out of the second wild card and its game is slipping lately. After a 10-game point streak (7-0-3) Jan. 5-23, the Rangers are 3-5-0 in their past eight with some of those defensive lapses from the 4-15-0 skid earlier in the season re-emerging. That’s evidenced by three defeats decided by at least three goals.

The defensive issues returned in a massive way Saturday night when the Rangers were grossly outplayed in a disastrous first period that marked the first time they gave up five goals in the opening 20 minutes since 1991. After Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad scored in the second, the Rangers allowed three more in the third period.

Dahlin's second of the game and the Sabres have FIVE goals in the first period 😳 pic.twitter.com/Pt3CFvEV1v

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 22, 2025

It was their worst loss since a 9-3 beating by the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 14, 2019, the 18th time they allowed at least five goals this season and the eighth loss by at least four goals.

Pittsburgh’s situation is even more dire than New York’s. The Penguins (23-26-9, 55 points) have played two more games than the Rangers, are seven points out of the wild card and own the second-fewest points in the Eastern Conference.

The Penguins are coming off an 8-3 home loss to the Washington Capitals. Unlike the Rangers, the Penguins tied the game twice before allowing five straight goals, though none were scored by Alex Ovechkin.

Pittsburgh earned a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Feb. 7 at MSG in a game that angered coach Peter Laviolette so much he limited his postgame comments to 35 seconds. The Rangers opened the 2024025 season at PPG Paints Arena with a rousing 6-0 victory that seems a very long time ago.

Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin missed the previous encounter against the Rangers with injuries but both Penguins stars played Saturday and expect to play Sunday.

Crosby scored his 610th career goal, tying Bobby Hull for 18th all-time in NHL history and has five goals in his past six games. Malkin had an assist but only has three goals in his past 20 games.

Related: Rangers must pay pending RFA K’Andre Miller on track record, not potential

3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Penguins

1. Get through the first five minutes

The Rangers are 3-17-0 when trailing after the opening period, the ninth-worst mark in the NHL. They upped their total to 57 goals allowed in the first period, which is the third-most of any team vying for one of the wild-card spots in the East.

The Rangers allowed their 20th goal within the first five minutes on Saturday and are 3-12-1 when allowing more than one goal in the opening period. Last season, the Rangers allowed 65 goals in opening period and only 15 within the five minutes when they were 11-14-1 trailing through the first 20 minutes.

Simply, the Rangers need to start faster and show more of a pushback if they don’t.

2. Different line combinations

Laviolette tweaked the lines, placing Reilly Smith on the top line with Artemi Panarin and J.T. Miller, putting Will Cuylle with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere on the second line and moving Mika Zibanejad to the third line with Chris Kreider

The top-six players totaled a minus-11 rating, though the combined plus-minus of the team was minus-30. Laviolette was too annoyed to discuss any lineup changes but coming off an ugly performance, it would not be stunning if he made some tweaks, though it might not involve Kreider and Zibanejad since the duo accounted for both goals by getting to the net.

3. Buyer or seller

The Rangers made a pair of trades during December, then acquired J.T. Miller on Jan. 31 to bolster the roster. The additions of Miller along with defenseman Will Borgen and Urho Vaakanainen are working out for the most part and this will be a big week to determine if general manager Chris Drury makes more moves.

There are six games remaining before the March 7 trade deadline. Four of those games are against opponents entering Sunday with fewer points than the Rangers, including two games against the New York Islanders, who host the Dallas Stars on Sunday night.

At this point with their body of work through 56 games, the Rangers may do a little selling and a little buying but more efforts like Saturday in Buffalo might lead to further deals to create salary cap room and playing time for younger players such as Brett Berard and Brennan Othmann.

New York Rangers projected lineup

Panarin – Miller – Smith

Cuylle – Trocheck – Lafreniere

Kreider – Zibanejad-Kaliyev

Brodzinski – Carrick – Rempe

Lindgren – Fox

K. Miller – Borgen

Vaakanainen – Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

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

Who: New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

When: Sunday Feb. 23 at 3:30 p.m. ET

Where: PPG Paints Arena 

How to watch: TNT

That would be three straight as in they are seeking their third consecutive win overall and third in three tries against the Penguins this season.

The Rangers (26-23-4) won back-to-back games in comeback fashion earlier this week, rallying for victories against the Vegas Golden Knights (4-2) on Sunday and Boston Bruins (3-2) on Wednesday. It’s the first time the Rangers won consecutive games in regulation when trailing after two periods since Nov. 26-27, 1988.

They’re hoping not to need such dramatics Friday against the Penguins (22-24-9). Though the Penguins have a three-game point streak (2-0-1), they are 7-10-4 since Dec. 21 and don’t appear to be a serious threat in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The Rangers shut out the Penguins 6-0 on opening night in Pittsburgh and doubled them up 4-2 at MSG on Dec. 6. Since 2021-22, the Rangers are 9-3-1 in the regular season against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh will be without Evgeni Malkin, who’s week to week with a lower-body injury and Sidney Crosby, who was ruled out Friday with an upper-body injury.

Related: J.T. Miller’s aggressive style benefitting Rangers stars: ‘It’s a bit of bull out there’

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Penguins

1. Let’s get physical

Since J.T. Miller’s arrival in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks last week, the Rangers have been credited with 109 hits in three games, second-most in the NHL this month. Miller has 11 of those hits, including five against the Golden Knights and a big one against the Bruins on Wednesday that caused a turnover and led directly to Artemi Panarin’s game-opening goal.

J.T. Miller has 4 points in 3 games since joining the Rangers. Plus, a couple more goals where he didn't get a point but don't happen without him…
1. Forecheck.
2. Centre lane drive, clearing Pietrangelo out of passing lane. pic.twitter.com/WCkCBlUbtG

— Mike Kelly (@MikeKellyNHL) February 6, 2025

Will Cuylle is not scoring a lot recently but his physical play never wavers. He has 16 hits the past three games and is fourth in the League with 196 this season. Matt Rempe, in limited playing time, has 13 hits the past three games; Will Borgen has 10 and Sam Carrick nine.

Along with the hits, the Rangers renewed commitment to getting in on the forecheck is also a case of following Miller’s lead, to positive results.

2. Fill the net

Since Jan. 2, when the Rangers began to put their two-month slide behind them, they’ve scored 57 goals, tied for most in the NHL. Nine times they’ve scored four or more goals, including in five of their past eight games. When they score at least four goals this season, the Rangers are 15-3-3.

Over their past nine games (5-3-1), 18 different skaters have scored a goal for the Rangers and 20 registered at least one point. Panarin has two goals and five points in his past three games and Mika Zibanejad may have only goal in a three-game point streak, but he also has five assists in that span.

3. Let me at ’em

Panarin has feasted against the Penguins in his career. He’s got 44 points, including 19 goals, in 32 games against them. That includes two goals and three assists this season already.

Igor Shesterkin also dials in against the Penguins. The Rangers goalie is 9-5-1 with a 1.94 goals-against average and .929 save percentage with three shutouts against them.

How have the Pittsburgh boys fared against the Penguins? Miller has 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) in 28 games and Vincent Trocheck has 22 points (five goals, 17 assists) in 29 games.

The Rangers won’t have to worry about Crosby and that’s a good thing. The Penguins captain may be scoreless in two games this season against the Rangers, but lifetime he has 108 points (40 goals, 68 assists) in 87 games against them.

New York Rangers projected lineup

Panarin – J.T. Miller – Zibanejad

Smith – Trocheck – Lafreniere

Kreider – Brodzinski – Cuylle

Vesey – Carrick – Rempe

Lindgren – Fox

K. Miller – Borgen

Jones – Schneider

Shesterkin

Quick

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

Who: New York Rangers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

When: Friday Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. ET

Where: Madison Square Garden

How to watch: MSG