Daily Report – 3/23/26
Rangers
Even without Benoit Allaire in charge, the Rangers can still scout and develop quality goaltending.
Yesterday, in his NHL debut, the 23-year-old Dylan Garand made 35 saves against the Winnipeg Jets. Although the Rangers lost 3-2 in a shootout, once the final buzzer sounded, the entire Rangers team came off the bench to congratulate their young netminder.
According to Natural Stat Trick, both of the goals Garand allowed came on high-danger chances, which means Garand had a terrific debut. Although he looked confident for all 65 minutes he played, he seemed to fade away a bit in the shootout, playing outside his crease while trying to stop Kyle Connor and Gabriel Vilardi. Nevertheless, the Rangers would not have reached the shootout without Garand’s standout netminding.
Connor has scored 31 goals this season. Vilardi has netted 27. Garand’s best moment of his debut actually came against Connor, feverently stopping him on a quality shorthanded breakaway in the second period. Garand used his stick to make that save, but otherwise, his glove was his finest attribute.
“I thought he looked really solid,” said head coach Mike Sullivan. “Calm demeanor in there, tracking pucks well, rebound control was great. He made some big saves for us. I thought he had a really strong game.”
In 2020, the Rangers drafted Garand because they were impressed by his glove. As former Rangers goaltender Steve Valiquette pointed out after the game, Garand’s decision to flash the leather demonstrated his excitement and confidence. Garand began minding the pipes in Hartford in 2021. He was relieved to make his NHL debut five years later.
“I’ve been waiting to make my NHL debut my whole life,” Garand said. “When they tell you you’re actually going to play, it’s pretty cool. […]
“It was everything you could ever hope and dream of, and you know it [stinks] not to get the win for the guys. But it was a dream come true.”
The timing of Garand’s opportunity was made possible by an upper-body injury to Jonathan Quick. Because the Rangers are playing again tonight, they needed somebody to mind their net behind Igor Shesterkin. So, in a season lost to trades, a poor record, and a letter signifying a retool, the Rangers felt it was time to give another young player a chance.
This is also why the Rangers signed Drew Fortescue to an entry-level contract on Saturday. Similar to Gabe Perreault’s situation last year, now that Boston College’s season has ended, the Rangers are giving the 20-year-old Fortescue a chance to play professionally. Fortescue could make his NHL debut as early as tonight.
Meanwhile, Mika Zibanejad will skate in his 1,000th career game tonight. Yesterday, in his 999th game, the Rangers’ franchise leader in power-play goals scored another off his signature one-time shot, tying Adam Graves for the fourth-most goals (280) in Rangers history.
Zibanejad’s goal, which came in the second period, represented the game-tying tally. It was his 30th goal and 67th point of the season, his highest marks in two years. Tonight, the star forward will be honored on Garden ice ahead of his team’s game against the Ottawa Senators. Zibanejad has tallied 807 points in 999 career games.
“I think Mika has been, arguably, our best forward all year,” Sullivan said after yesterday’s game. “Not just with how he’s scoring goals, but with how he’s playing the game. As far as his goal-scoring ability, I think it’s on display every night.”
Zibanejad’s struggles last season played a huge role in the Rangers’ downfall from President’s Trophy winners to missing the playoffs. He lacked the fire he had displayed throughout his career. However, representing Sweden in the Four Nations Face-Off helped rekindle Zibanejad’s love for hockey.
Ever since Opening Night, despite how poorly his team has performed, Zibanejad has played like his old self, which has allowed him to remain a Ranger while many of his friends, including his best friend Chris Kreider, have departed. Also, his veteran presence has helped steady the Rangers’ dressing room culture amid organizational turmoil.
Another reason Zibanejad got to stay is his goal-scoring strategy. His one-time slap shot is elite, and it adds a unique element to the Rangers’ offense. It has also helped the Rangers adopt a new scoring strategy that involves crashing the net and moving north-to-south.
Next, Tye Kartye, whom the Rangers claimed off waivers on February 27, has had a great first month with the club. After scoring against Winnipeg yesterday, 41 seconds into the second period, Kartye notched his eighth point in 12 games with New York, matching his output in 40 games with Seattle to start the season.
Kartye has also demonstrated a high level of physicality. Roughly six minutes into the first period, Cole Perfetti drove Connor Sheary into the right-wing boards, but somehow, he wasn’t penalized. Therefore, in defense of his teammate, it didn’t even take two seconds for Kartye to drop his gloves. Perfetti declined to fight, and Kartye took a roughing penalty.
The Rangers only mustered four shots on goal in the opening frame, due, in part, to Kartye’s penalty. Recognizing this, Kartye responded immediately in the second period. Yesterday, he shared a line with Sheary and captain JT Miller.
Tonight at the Garden, M1KA Zibaenjad will skate in his 1,000th career game as the Rangers host the Ottawa Senators, the team that drafted Zibanejad in 2011 (7:30 PM, 6:30 PM CDT – MSG, Gotham Sports).
Schedule
7:30 PM (6:30 PM CDT): NYR vs. OTT; MSG, Gotham Sports
