Rangers Halloween: 3 tricks and 3 treats after first month

Forever Blueshirts writer Lou Orlando evaluates the New York Rangers' first month of the 2026-27 season, highlighting three positive developments and three major concerns following a 6-2-0 start turned into a slump. The Rangers dropped five of six games after star goaltender Igor Shesterkin suffered a season-ending lower-body injury on Oct. 9 against the Washington Capitals.

Orlando identifies rookie defenseman Alberts Smits' growing pains, poor road form, and goalie Dylan Garand's recent struggles as the team's 'tricks.' Conversely, Orlando praises Alexis Lafreniere's team-leading 16 points, Tye Kartye's offensive surge, and defenseman Adam Fox's league-leading playmaking as the 'treats,' while noting Pavel Dorofeyev has experienced bad luck.