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The New York Rangers’ feel-good start has faded — as has their margin for error

While the Rangers won their first two games after Igor Shesterkin's injury, the wheels have started to come off a bit since.

The Athletic

Published: Monday, 26 October 2026 at 11:00 AM

Key Things to Know

The New York Rangers' strong start has faded following a 1-3-1 stretch and defensive struggles.
Star goaltender Igor Shesterkin was previously ruled out for the entire season due to a leg injury.
Recent losses in Canada included a 5-4 defeat to Toronto and a 7-4 loss to Ottawa.

The Story in 60 Seconds

The New York Rangers have seen their strong early-season momentum stall after going 1-3-1 across their past five games. Following a season-ending injury to star goaltender Igor Shesterkin, the team has struggled defensively, culminating in recent road defeats of 5-4 to the Toronto Maple Leafs and 7-4 to the Ottawa Senators.

The writer notes that the team's margin for error has diminished due to injuries, including absences for Joonas Korpisalo and Joe Veleno. Despite solid contributions from Alexis Lafrenière and Adam Fox, the analysis emphasizes that coach Mike Sullivan's squad must rely on strict defensive structure rather than offensive shootouts to remain competitive.

Read the full article on The Athletic

The New York Rangers’ feel-good start has faded — as has their margin for error

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