Overview
- The Rangers are 1-1-1 after consecutive 5-4 defeats to the Bruins and Islanders, each following multi-goal third-period leads that coach Mike Sullivan said the team must manage better.
- Dylan Garand surrendered three goals on 10 third-period shots versus the Islanders, intensifying concern about organizational depth behind Igor Shesterkin and veteran Jonathan Quick.
- Camp has split into near-opening-night groups, with Artemi Panarin back at practice in a non-contact jersey as he continues to recover from a lower-body issue.
- Noah Laba leads the team with four assists through three games and is now a serious candidate for the third-line center role alongside options like Juuso Parssinen and Jonny Brodzinski.
- Rookie forwards Gabe Perreault, Brennan Othmann, and Brett Berard, plus PTO winger Conor Sheary, are making strong cases for limited spots, with Perreault netting two goals, Othmann scoring on the power play, Berard producing in two games, and Sheary logging three points in two appearances.