Overview

• New York squandered a 4-2 lead in a 5-4 loss to the Islanders, their second straight preseason game with a blown multi-goal third‑period advantage.
• Goalie Dylan Garand struggled late for the Rangers, conceding three third‑period goals including a soft backhand for the winner.
• Rangers prospects continue to press cases, with Noah Laba leading the team with four assists as Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann skate in the main group on the roster bubble.
• Toronto signed James Reimer to a professional tryout with Joseph Woll on leave and confirmed defenceman Marshall Rifai will undergo wrist surgery as opening‑night lines take shape and Anthony Stolarz prepares for heavier minutes.
• League injury updates escalated as Florida captain Aleksander Barkov was ruled out 7–9 months after ACL and MCL surgery, and Dallas captain Jamie Benn will have surgery for a collapsed lung with a four‑week reevaluation timeline.