Coach Jim Hiller praises rookie forward Easton Cowan for his steady play this season, noting only minor lapses amid an overall “very, very consistent” performance. In the pre‑game interview before Thursday’s matchup with the Rangers, Hiller also covers Jake McCabe’s narrow escape from a serious eye injury, updates on defenseman Marshall Rifai, and reflects on the career growth of stars Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
On Oct. 22, Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin co‑hosts Leafs Morning Take, dissecting Toronto’s 5‑4‑2 start and the upcoming Rangers showdown. After Sergei Bobrovsky rests, rookie Dylan Garand (4‑2‑1, .929 SV%) makes his first start, while the Leafs lean on Easton Cowan and Auston Matthews for offensive spark. Larkin and co‑host Nick Alberga spar over a potential Erik Karlsson rental—Alberga says he’d only consider it if Morgan Rielly moves the other way. The debate ends with a preview of the Leafs‑Rangers recap and the next game in Edmonton.
Rangers are not planning for an overly busy January window but a highly-rated Swedish winger remains a key target, as Derek McInnes looks to keep hold of his best stars
Toronto’s penalty kill now leads the league, stopping 97.4% of chances after assistant coach John Gruden took over the unit. Forward William Nylander praised Gruden’s clear, aggressive system as the Leafs rode the improvement to a 6-2 win over Columbus, snapping their first shorthanded goal of the season when Easton Cowan scored. Nylander also highlighted the chemistry with rookie Kirill Marchenko, who added his fifth goal, suggesting a potent new duo. With back‑to‑back victories, the Leafs head into Thursday’s showdown against the New York Rangers riding hot momentum.
The New York Rangers visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 22 at 7:00 PM in Scotiabank Arena (TSN4, MSG). Toronto comes off a 6-2 win over Columbus, sitting 5‑4‑2 (0.545 pts %). New York, fresh from a 5-2 home victory over Anaheim, holds a stronger 7‑3‑1 record (0.682 pts %). The Rangers rely on elite save percentages—Shesterkin’s early performance and Garand’s recent form—plus a top‑10 penalty kill, while their five‑on‑five and power play remain average. Leafs lineups feature Auston Matthews and a returning Jake McCabe despite a shiner. Expect a tight, defensively‑focused contest.
The Maple Leafs are set to start veteran goalie Sergei Bobrovsky against the New York Rangers after his 3‑1 win over the Sharks and a .902 save percentage in seven starts. Captain Auston Matthews praises his play, while forward Marshall Rifai’s status remains uncertain after leaving the morning skate early, with Nick Blankenburg poised to fill the spot. Defenseman Jake McCabe returns despite a high‑stick injury, and sophomore winger Easton Cowan continues his breakout with 10 points in 11 games, keeping his first‑line role alongside Matthews.
Former New York Rangers star and MSG analyst Ron Duguay dies at 69 after a battle with Stage 4 colon cancer. Drafted 13th overall in 1977, Duguay dazzled fans with his speed, 40‑goal season in 1981‑82 and a record‑tying nine‑second goal in 1980. He was a cultural icon of the disco era, appearing in the "Hockey Sock Rock" single and a Sasson Jeans ad. After stints with Detroit, Pittsburgh and Los Angeles, he finished with 274 goals, 620 points and a 1979 Stanley Cup Final appearance. Duguay later coached minor‑league teams and served as a Rangers broadcaster.
The New York Rangers, searching for a replacement for injured starter Igor Shesterkin, are reportedly exploring a three‑team deal that could send Winnipeg Jets star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the Utah Mammoth. The trade would bring Utah’s Karel Vejmelka to New York, pairing him with Dylan Garand while Hellebuyck exits the Jets, possibly alongside Joonas Korpisalo and other assets. Jets officials may lift Hellebuyck’s unpaid suspension soon, hinting at an imminent move, though the Rangers likely view Vejmelka as a short‑term rental rather than a long‑term anchor. This scenario could reshape the goaltending landscape for all three clubs ahead of the 2026‑27 season.
Ron Duguay, a 12-year NHL veteran, has died at the age of 69.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan pushes back against critics citing poor defensive metrics, arguing that context—like defensive‑zone starts and five‑man play—makes the numbers misleading. He defends the new second pairing of Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi, noting their solid minutes despite mixed stats, and stresses blending analytics with eye‑test results. The piece also highlights Ottawa’s hostile welcome for ex‑Ranger Brady Tkachuk, who scored early as the Senators routed the Florida Panthers 5‑1, though goalie Linus Ullmark left with a lower‑body injury. Additional notes cover Rangers prospects in Europe and college rankings.
One of the better stories in the NHL to start this season has been the success of the New York Rangers, especially at Madison Square Garden. They are 6-0-0 at…
Where is Joonas Korpisalo, and do the Rangers need another goalie before their first back-to-back?
Rangers prospect Tomas Chrenko ignites a winning surge for Slovakia’s HK Nitra, logging 20 minutes, an empty‑net goal and an assist in a 5‑1 Champions Hockey League win over Rögle BK, followed by back‑to‑back victories (4‑3 OT vs. HC Presov, 4‑0 vs. Slovan Bratislava). He now has five assists this season as Nitra climbs to 10th, just one point behind HK Dukla Michalovce. Fellow prospects also shine: defenseman Ivan Patrikhayev adds an assist as CSKA Moscow extends its streak; forward Mikkel Eriksen nets his second SHL goal for Färjestad BK; Swiss winger Rico Gredig posts three shots in a 2‑1 win; Samuel Jung battles back from concussion in Finland’s U20 league; and Rasmus Larsson scores his second goal as Hudiksvalls posts a 22‑3 weekend tally. Upcoming games are listed for each prospect.
Your morning round-up of the latest from Blueshirt Banter, Rangers News, and updates from around the NHL
Keith Yandle explains why he left the New York Rangers in 2016 after helping the team win the Presidents' Trophy in 2014‑15. The defenseman was acquired at the March 1, 2015 trade deadline from Arizona for prospect John Moore, Anthony Duclair and multiple picks, then added 11 points in the final stretch and another 11 in the playoffs. After a disappointing 2015‑16 postseason and roster shake‑ups, the Rangers traded Yandle to Florida, where he signed a seven‑year, $44.5 million deal. On the Wingmen podcast, Yandle says he saw the team “going down” and was the last top‑free‑agent defenseman left, prompting his move to the Panthers.
Rangers rookie goalie Dylan Garand is thriving thanks to a mature mindset that belies his 24 years. AHL beat reporter Patrick Williams describes Garand’s confidence, humility and ‘30‑year‑old mentality’ as key to his rise. After stepping in for an injured Igor Shesterkin, Garand posted a 6‑2‑2 record in 10 NHL games, a 1.77 GAA and .936 save percentage, ranking top‑10 in the league. He earned his first NHL shutout against Detroit and now sits 6‑1‑2 as a starter. The 2020 fourth‑round pick avoided waivers, bounced between Hartford and New York, and secured a two‑year deal, proving the Rangers’ gamble paid off.
Rangers’ NCAA prospects dominate the early season, occupying spots on the nation’s top five teams after Michigan’s 4‑1 win over No. 2 Denver. Malcolm Spence (Michigan) nets two goals, including the game-winner, snapping Denver’s 19‑game streak and lifting Michigan to the No. 1 ranking in the USA Hockey poll. Fellow prospects Sean Barnhill (Michigan State), E.J. Emery (North Dakota), Ty Henricks (Western Michigan) and Ben MacBeath (Denver) also score, while Charlie Morrison (UConn) keeps the squad in the top‑20. Six of seven Rangers prospects now play for ranked programs, positioning them as early championship contenders.
Sean Durzi quickly proves he belongs in New York, mirroring many of the traits that made Vincent Trocheck a fan favorite. The 28‑year‑old, 6‑foot defenseman logs over 20 minutes per game, has four points and ranks third on the Rangers with 18 blocked shots in 11 outings, solidifying a veteran second pairing with Marcus Pettersson. Durzi’s $6 million salary and outgoing personality fill the locker‑room gap left by Trocheck’s departure, though health remains a concern after past shoulder issues. Meanwhile, Detroit’s Dylan Larkin expands his trade wishlist to include the New Jersey Devils, adding another twist to upcoming NHL deals. The piece also previews a new Rink Rap podcast on the Wolf Pack and a deep dive on the Rangers’ defensive metrics.
The New York Rangers have gotten off to a 7-3-1 start even though star goalie Igor Shesterkin is out for the season with a lower-body injury, and backup goalie Joonas…
Your morning round-up of the latest from Blueshirt Banter, Rangers News, and updates from around the NHL
Dylan Larkin pushes his pending Detroit Red Wings trade forward, expanding his preferred destination list to ten NHL clubs. While his original shortlist featured the Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars, he now adds the Washington Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and the Utah Mammoth. Notably, Larkin excludes both the New York Rangers and Montreal Canadiens, ending recent trade buzz linking him to Montreal. The move signals Larkin’s focus on joining a Stanley‑Cup contender for the 2026‑27 season.
Rangers CHL and USHL prospects shine this week. Darian Anderson snaps a seven‑game point streak but bounces back with a career‑best three‑point (two goals, one assist) effort as Flint beats Oshawa 3‑2, tallying his seventh goal and first short‑handed tally. Spencer Bowes nets his seventh goal in a 6‑2 win over Brampton and scores the overtime winner in a 3‑2 OT victory over Oshawa, tying for fourth in OHL scoring among all players. goalie Danai Shaiikov records a 42‑save shutout in a 2‑0 win over the Quebec Remparts, dropping his GAA to 2.83. Defenseman Felix Farhammar logs a career‑best three assists in Muskegon’s 5‑2 win over Youngstown. All three lead the Rangers prospect pool in points, goals and goaltending metrics respectively.
The Rangers boast a top‑four goals‑against rate (2.18 per game) and a perfect 6‑0 home record after 11 games, but defensive metrics raise red flags. Second‑pair Sean Durzi and Marcus Pettersson post a 42.9 expected‑goal share at 5‑on‑5, with opponents out‑chancing them 79‑73 and generating 35‑24 more high‑danger chances. Their possession numbers have declined for two consecutive seasons. The third pair, rookie Alberts Smits and veteran Braden Schneider, sit at a 40.0 expected‑goal share, again ceding more chances than they create. While the new blue‑line looks promising on the surface, the underlying stats suggest the Rangers could face defensive regression as the season progresses.
From Alexis Lafreniere to Dylan Garand, the Rangers continue to stay scorching hot, even without Igor Shesterkin.
Former Detroit Red Wings center Luke Glendening has signed a PTO with the New York Rangers following an injury to Joe Veleno.