There was common theme with the New York Rangers following their 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night
There was common theme with the New York Rangers following their 3-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on opening night Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
“It’s just one game.”
Coach Mike Sullivan said that. So did veterans Artemi Panarin and Adam Fox. Heck, captain J.T. Miller used that exact phrase at least three times when speaking with reporters after the subpar showing.
Ans you know what? They’re all right. It was just one game.
Plenty of undue emphasis is placed on the season opener, really, for all teams in every professional sport. Fans, media, and teams themselves are so hyped up for that first impression after the long offseason build up. Sure, the results matter, and who doesn’t want to charge out of the starter’s gate with an impressive victory?
But perspective is required, as well. That loss Tuesday night at home wasn’t exactly inspiring — outside of Igor Shesterkin’s outstanding performance and Noah Laba’s solid NHL debut — but it’s the first of 82 games this season. The journey is just beginning.
Keep in mind that the Rangers stormed into Pittsburgh a year ago and wiped out the Penguins 6-0 to open the 2024-25 season. They were 12-4-1 after 17 games. You may recall what happened next in what turned out to be one of the most disappointing seasons in Rangers history.
So, yes, Tuesday was just one game. It’s OK, and understandable, to be concerned about how a supposedly inferior Penguins team dictated the tempo of this contest, won more than a fair share of puck battles, and pretty routinely got to the net for prime scoring chances against Shesterkin.
There’s still PTSD from last season. And there were enough things Tuesday to remind you of that team-wide faceplant. Got that. But it was also the first time these 20 specific Rangers suited up in a game together. It didn’t happen all preseason, nor often enough during training camp practices.
It wasn’t the best start by any stretch. Lets’ see what’s in store Thursday when the Rangers are back at in Buffalo against the Sabres.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Here are our key Rangers takeaways from thar 3-0 loss to the Penguins.
ICYMI: Our Rangers season preview posted Tuesday, and it includes all kinds of predictions from the Forever Blueshirts staff.
Mika Zibanejad was one of the few Rangers who stood out in a positive way in the opener Tuesday. That’s a good thing, because we think he’s the biggest X-factor for the Blueshirts this season.
Hope you didn’t miss this one: our Jennifer O’Regan produced another gem of an article this week with an intimate portrait of Will Borgen and his journey to the Rangers, featuring anecdotes (and great photos) shared by his father, Bill.
NHL news and rumors
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dan Kingerski provides the view from the other side, as the Penguins have plenty to feel good about after playing a solid road game to knock off the Rangers on opening night.
NHL.com: Connor McDavid spoke with reporters Tuesday for the first time after signing a team-friendly two-year, $25 million contract extension the day before, emphasizing “it’s about winning” for him and the Edmonton Oilers.
Sportsnet: Elliotte Friedman reported that the Winnipeg Jets are closing in on an eight-year, $96 million contract extension with pending UFA forward Kyle Connor, one that features a full no-move clause and bonuses baked in.
Vegas Hockey Now: Reportedly there’s “a lot of urgency” in recent days to get a Jack Eichel contract extension done with the Vegas Golden Knights. The star center can be a UFA at season’s end.
The Score: Frank Seravalli reports that Logan Cooley turned down a massive eight-year, $77 million contract extension offer from the Utah Mammoth.
Florida Hockey Now: The Panthers raised their second straight Stanley Cup championship banner, then got a third-period goal from Jesper Boqvist to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 in the League’s first game of the 2025-26 season.
New York Post: Matthew Schaefer, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, officially earned a spot on the Islanders’ opening-night roster and will make his NHL debut Thursday against the Penguins.
New Jersey Hockey Now: The Devils signed veteran forward Luke Glendening to a one-year contract after he attended training camp on a PTO.
TSN: Milan Lucic was released from his PTO with the St. Louis Blues because the veteran forward is banged up physically. The Blues plan to circle back with Lucic once he’s healthy during the season.
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