The New York Rangers are back in action Thursday night, hosting the Philadelphia Flyers at Madison Square Garden. It's their first game since the Olympic break, kicking off a crucial four-game homestand.
The Rangers have struggled at home this season, with just six wins in 25 games, but they're looking to turn things around in the final stretch of the 2025-26 season. With 25 games in 49 days, it's going to be a sprint to the finish.
This season hasn't been kind to the Rangers, who sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and 30th overall in the NHL. The recent trade of Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings underscores the team's current rebuilding phase, with more moves likely before the March 6 NHL Trade Deadline.
Coach Mike Sullivan, fresh off leading Team USA to Olympic gold, is focused on building a competitive environment. "We want to hold ourselves accountable to a certain standard," Sullivan emphasized. "If we do that, we'll see results and get a better understanding of our direction."
Rangers captain J.T. Miller and veteran center Vincent Trocheck, both key players for Team USA, are back in the lineup. Expect a rousing pregame ceremony to celebrate their Olympic success.
The Rangers are also getting some key players back from injury. Goalie Igor Shesterkin returns after a lower-body injury sidelined him since January 5.
Top defenseman Adam Fox is also back, aiming to stabilize the team after a tough stretch without them. Veteran forward Conor Sheary is set to return as well, while Brendan Brisson, called up from Hartford, looks to make an impact in his Rangers debut.
3 Key Storylines to Watch
- Turning the Page
Miller and Trocheck are coming off the high of an Olympic gold medal victory over Canada. Now, they need to refocus on the NHL season. As leaders, they're expected to bring energy and professionalism against the Flyers, with the MSG crowd likely fueling their efforts.
- Welcome Returns
The return of Shesterkin and Fox is a major boost for the Rangers. Their absence was felt in January, and their presence could stabilize the team moving forward. The lineup also sees some interesting choices, with Sheary on the third line and Brisson making his NHL return.
- Flyers' Struggles
The Flyers, coming off a loss to the Capitals, have been struggling since early January. With a minus-15 goal differential and offensive woes, they find themselves slipping in the standings. The Rangers have had success against them this season, winning both previous matchups.
Projected Lineup
- J.T. Miller - Mika Zibanejad - Gabe Perreault
- Will Cuylle - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
- Conor Sheary - Noah Laba - Brendan Brisson
- Brennan Othmann - Sam Carrick - Taylor Raddysh
Defense
- Vladislav Gavrikov - Adam Fox
- Braden Schneider - Will Borgen
- Matthew Robertson - Vincent Iorio
Goalies
- Igor Shesterkin
- Jonathan Quick
Game Details
- Who: New York Rangers vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- When: Thursday, Feb. 26 at 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Madison Square Garden
- How to Watch: ESPN
The Rangers are looking to make the most of this home stretch and finish the season strong. With key players back and the energy of the Olympic triumph still fresh, there's a lot to watch for in this matchup.