Nov 10, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (16) skates against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
The New York Rangers have achieved what was a seemingly insurmountable obstacle: win a game on home ice.
After a historically inept showing at Madison Square Garden in their first seven home games, the Broadway Blueshirts defeated the Nashville Predators last night by a 6-3 score. Their futile stretch at The World’s Most Famous Arena included a career-worst six-game span without a single point drought for Artemi Panarin. It also featured a power play unit that had produced just five goals in 41 opportunities prior to last night.
It had become so severe that it had reached the point where the Original Six squad joined the 1928-29 Pittsburgh Pirates as the only other team to be shut out in five of their first seven home games. But dubious distinctions are no longer something to think about.
A lot of New York’s ailments were healed at 4 Pennsylvania Plaza against Nashville. A goal with the man advantage was scored, Panarin – more on him momentarily – lit up the lamp twice. Alexis Lafrenière had one of the bets games of his career. Vladislav Gavrikov scored his first goal in a Rangers home game. Here’s what led up to this breakthrough for head coach Mike Sullivan and his team.
During the Rangers’ President’s Trophy-winning season in 2023-2024, Artemi Panarin had noticeably shaved his head and went with a new look. It culminated in a career season in which the Breadman scored 49 goals and registered 120 points, the latter being second-best single-season total in franchise history.
Wanting to change it up again, Broadway’s $81.5 million man decided to abandon his usual look and opted for a shiny cranium yet again. The results have been promising.
Embracing his movie villain look once more, Panarin is now up to three goals and five points in his last three games. Rangers general manager Chris Drury has a difficult decision ahead of the trade deadline in March on whether to retain or trade the NHL’s fifth-leading scorer since 2019-2020.
Center Vincent Trocheck had been on long-term injured reserve since October 9th because of an upper-body injury. He had missed 14 games, and his prolonged absence was plainly visible on the ice.
The significance of the return of the Pittsburgh native cannot be overstated, and last night’s game proved it. Trocheck had two assists and was on a line with Panarin and Lafrenière, easily New York’s best in this contest.
Dating back to the 2020-2021 season, Trocheck’s 57.2 faceoff win percentage is ninth-best in the NHL. He’s one of the best two-way centers in hockey, as evidenced by his Frank J. Selke Trophy votes in back-to-back seasons.
For a Rangers team that has committed to a zone defense that has effectively suppressed scoring chances and limited shots on goal, Trocheck’s return makes them that much deeper and better.
After much rumination, Mike Sullivan and Chris Drury finally recalled 2023 first-round pick Gabe Perreault from the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers’ AHL affiliate.
The shortcomings of New York’s first-round selections in recent years have been documented ad nauseam. Perreault is hopeful to buck that trend.
Viewed as one of the best pure playmakers in the 2023 draft class that includes Connor Bedard and Will Smith, Perreault set a new single-season scoring record for the US National Team Development Program. His ice vision, passing ability, stick handling, and hockey IQ have been touted. He also logged his first NHL point last night – an assist that culminated in an Alexis Lafrenière goal early in the second period.
Rangers fans can only hope that this is the first of many for Perreault.
After seven fruitless attempts at achieving victory at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers have finally had a breakthrough.
If only they could keep playing at home the same way they have in away games; their 7-1-1 record on hostile ice is the NHL’s best. They better hope so, because the schedule doesn’t get any easier.
Upcoming opponents include the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Detroit Red Wings, the league-leading Colorado Avalanche, and the Vegas Golden Knights. The Utah Mammoth are also a part of that equation. The three-game West Coast trip could determine the team’s course of action as Thanksgiving approaches.
The New York Jets are heading into Thursday night’s divisional matchup against the New England Patriots with more questions than answers—especially on the injury front. Head coach Aaron Glenn made it clear during Tuesday’s press conference that he wasn’t interested in discussing player availability, but his silence only fueled speculation surrounding one of the team’s biggest stars.
When asked about Garrett Wilson’s status, Glenn offered nothing beyond a sharp remark to reporters: “Ask Rich.” The response was aimed at ESPN’s Rich Cimini, who earlier in the week reported that the wide receiver is expected to miss several weeks due to injury. Wilson, who has been the Jets’ most consistent offensive weapon, was once again listed as a non-participant on Tuesday’s estimated injury report. The absence marks his second straight missed session and strongly suggests he’ll be sidelined for Thursday’s contest.
Glenn’s frustration seemed to stem from a mix of media leaks and the growing pressure of a short turnaround week. Still, while the head coach remained tight-lipped, the team’s injury report told a clearer story about who might be available when the Jets take the field in Foxborough.
The most notable development came from edge rusher Will McDonald, who was upgraded from “out” to limited participation. McDonald was a force in Sunday’s victory over the Cleveland Browns, recording four sacks in a breakout performance that reminded fans why the Jets invested so heavily in their young pass rush. With rookie quarterback Drake Maye on the horizon, Glenn and the Jets’ defense would love nothing more than to have McDonald back to apply pressure.
Elsewhere, defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (foot) and cornerback Azareye’h Thomas (concussion) would have missed practice. Thomas has already been ruled out for Thursday’s game, thinning an already banged-up secondary. Edge rusher Braiden McGregor was listed as limited with a shoulder issue, while offensive lineman Xavier Newman-Johnson (ankle), running back Khalil Herbert (groin), and linebacker Kiko Mauigoa (concussion) were all full participants.
The combination of key injuries and short preparation time puts New York in a difficult position. The loss of Wilson, in particular, could prove costly for an offense still trying to find rhythm and consistency. Meanwhile, the Patriots’ defense—though young—has shown flashes of disruptive play that could take advantage of a weakened Jets receiving corps.
With Glenn refusing to divulge details and emotions running high, one thing is certain: the Jets will need every healthy body they can muster if they hope to keep pace in the AFC East race. Whether that includes Garrett Wilson remains very much in doubt.