The New York Rangers improved to 5-0 at Madison Square Garden with a convincing 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Alexis Lafreniere continued his strong start to the season with a pair of goals, each set up by Tye Kartye. Dylan Garard won his second straight since replacing the injured Igor Shesterkin in net, stopping 25 shots in the victory. The Blueshirts are in New Jersey to face the Devils on Thursday.
Game Recap
Advanced Stats
Rangers lines vs. Lightning
Perreault-Zibanejad-Dorofeyev
Kartye-Miller-Lafrenière
Cuylle-Laba-Tolvanen
Bjorkstrand-Beaudoin-Rempe
Gavrikov-Fox
Pettersson-Durzi
Šmits-Schneider
Garand
Martin
Scratches: Morrow, Chmelař
IR: Sýkora (lower-body), Korpisalo (lower-body)
LTIR: Shesterkin (lower-body), Veleno (lower-body)
A Few Thoughts On The Rangers Victory
1) Forecheck and Defensive structure: Coach Mike Sullivan’s quote in his post-game press conference said it all: “I think we’re really starting to establish an identity and what Rangers hockey looks like when we’re at our best. And it started from our willingness and commitment to check, and I think our guys are committed there. It’s 5-man participation. I think these guys just value playing away from the puck and the importance of it.”
The key to me is 5-man participation. It’s not one or two players but the entire team on the ice all at once. Each player knows his responsibility and executes it. This starts with the forecheck in the offensive zone and carries forward into the neutral and defensive zone, where we have seen full buy in. Players are in the right spot and position, covering for their teammates, if needed.
Garand has been great, but he has benefitted from the team in front of him. He noted that as well in his postgame presser. Forwards are doing what they are supposed to, making life easier for the blueline, with that carrying over to the net. It’s still early, but it’s hard not to be optimistic that it’s sustainable, unlike what we have seen in the past.
2) Garand – solid again between the pipes. Rebounded after allowing a goal to shut down Tampa the rest of the way. Garand is making the key save, limiting rebounds while also showing an ability and willingness to play the puck, reducing pressure on the defense. Where would New York be if Garand had gotten claimed? (I am very glad we don’t have to think about this)
New York doesn’t have back-to-back contests until November 27-28. With Joonas Korpisalo out four more weeks, I could see Garand playing just about every game until then rather than using Spencer Martin.
3) Pavel Dorofeyev is still trying to settle in. Sullivan and the coaching staff are doing their best to help Dorofeyev settle in. But that also is balanced by trying to win and what is best for the team.
Dorofeyev has already been moved from the first to the second line. In addition, he has been swapped off the first unit power play for Gabe Perreault; the proper move. Yesterday, he slid down the lineup, splitting time late with Oliver Bjorkstrand in the third period as the Rangers went with 10 forwards protecting a lead.
The shooting percentage is way down, but what I liked yesterday was that Doro didn’t look reluctant to shoot. Part of his struggles could be trying too hard to produce. Some of it could be mental. But as long as the team continues to win, his struggles – while a focus – should not be over-magnified.
4) Wins at MSG: the stat in the tweet says all. An amazing turnaround from last season. The vibes at MSG are vastly different from 2025-26 and has helped propel New York forward.
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Tagged: New York Rangers, nhl