Rangers Enter Rare Midseason Pause with One Last Test Before Olympic Break: Hurricanes at MSG
After a relentless four-month grind, the New York Rangers finally get a breather - but not before one last showdown. In what will be their only game over a four-week stretch, the Rangers host the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night. And while the break ahead offers a much-needed reset, the team knows they can’t check out early - not with the Metropolitan Division leaders coming to town.
A Chance to Recharge - But First, a Challenge
The Rangers (22-28-6) are coming off a wild 6-5 loss to the Penguins on Jan. 31, a game that summed up much of their season: flashes of offense, defensive lapses, and a result that slipped away late. After Thursday’s game, they won’t hit the ice again until Feb. 26, when they host the Flyers following the NHL’s Olympic break.
This pause is unlike anything most NHL teams experience midseason. With the league stepping aside for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, the Rangers just wrapped up three straight days of practice - a rarity in today’s jam-packed schedule.
For most of the roster, it’s time to rest and reset. But three Rangers - Mika Zibanejad (Sweden), J.T.
Miller (USA), and Vincent Trocheck (USA) - are headed to Italy to represent their countries. Team USA’s bench will also have a Rangers flavor, with Mike Sullivan serving as head coach and David Quinn as his assistant.
For those staying behind, this break couldn’t come at a better time. The Rangers have dropped three straight and are just 2-10-1 since Jan.
- The season’s been tough, and the recent trade of leading scorer Artemi Panarin to the Kings only underscores the franchise’s pivot.
“For the guys who have an opportunity to get away from it for a little bit, sometimes it can be a good opportunity to re-charge, re-energize, get some rest,” Sullivan said after Wednesday’s practice. “Sometimes, just getting away from it gives you a little bit more hunger to get back at it because you miss it a little bit.”
Captain J.T. Miller, who will suit up for Team USA, echoed that sentiment - but stressed the importance of staying locked in for one more game.
“I think it’s much needed physically, emotionally, mentally. It comes at a good time,” Miller said.
“But we can’t get to the break yet. We have a really tough opponent [Thursday] and it’s going to be a good test for us.”
Hurricanes Rolling In - and Rolling Over Opponents
That opponent? The Carolina Hurricanes (35-15-6), who come into MSG riding a nine-game point streak (7-0-2) and winners of 11 of their last 15.
They’ve also had the Rangers’ number lately, taking six of the last seven meetings, including two of three this season. The most recent matchup?
A 3-2 overtime win in Raleigh on Dec. 29, sealed by Jackson Blake’s game-winner.
This is a matchup of teams heading in opposite directions - one surging toward playoff positioning, the other trying to find its footing amid roster changes and injuries. But there are still plenty of storylines to watch Thursday night.
3 Key Storylines to Watch: Rangers vs. Hurricanes
1. Vincent Iorio Set for Rangers Debut
All signs point to Vincent Iorio making his Rangers debut on Thursday. The 23-year-old defenseman came off the ice with the regulars during the morning skate, while Scott Morrow stayed on late - a strong indicator of lineup plans.
Claimed off waivers from the Sharks just five days ago, Iorio is a former second-round pick of the Capitals who’s still looking to establish himself at the NHL level. He brings size (6-foot-4, 220 pounds), a right-handed shot, and 30 games of experience - and he’ll likely slot in on the third pair alongside Urho Vaakanainen.
It’s a golden opportunity for Iorio. But for Morrow, who came over in the K’Andre Miller trade, it’s another bump in a rocky first season in New York. With six assists in 28 games and now a healthy scratch against his former team, Morrow’s development is clearly still a work in progress.
Up front, Brennan Othmann also appears to be the odd man out, with Anton Blidh expected to slide into the fourth line.
2. K’Andre Miller Returns to the Garden
Thursday marks K’Andre Miller’s first game back at Madison Square Garden since being traded to Carolina last summer. The 26-year-old defenseman, who spent five seasons and played 368 regular-season games with the Rangers, missed the Hurricanes’ last trip to MSG in November due to injury.
He’s found his stride in Carolina, posting 23 points (four goals, 19 assists) in 48 games while averaging a career-high 22:35 of ice time. Miller’s return adds a little extra juice to an already tough matchup - especially considering the player New York got in return, Scott Morrow, won’t be on the ice.
In goal, Long Island native Brandon Bussi gets the nod for Carolina. The rookie has been nothing short of sensational, going 22-3-1 and becoming the fastest goalie in NHL history to reach 22 wins (just 26 games).
He’s riding a six-game win streak, his second such run this season. Across the ice, Jonathan Quick will start for the Rangers.
The Hurricanes are getting contributions across the board. Captain Jordan Staal has points in four straight (three goals, one assist), while Sebastian Aho is heating up with goals in three straight games. Aho (20 goals), Seth Jarvis (25), and Andrei Svechnikov (20) give Carolina three 20-goal scorers - a trio that can punish teams in a hurry.
3. Reinforcements Coming After the Break
There’s some light at the end of the tunnel for the Rangers on the injury front. Adam Fox, who’s missed 12 straight games with a lower-body injury, has been practicing all week and participated in Thursday’s morning skate (albeit in a no-contact jersey). He won’t play against Carolina, but barring setbacks, he should be ready to return once the team resumes play later this month.
The same goes for Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers’ No. 1 goalie hasn’t joined full team practices yet but has been skating on his own. Sullivan sounded encouraged about both players’ progress.
“I’m optimistic. I think they’re getting closer,” he said.
“‘Shesty’ hasn’t officially joined the team yet, but he’s been skating. ‘Foxy’ has had a number of skates with the team and is knocking on the door, so I would anticipate them a whole lot closer.”
Forward Adam Edstrom, out since early December, has also resumed skating and could be in the mix after the break.
Projected Rangers Lineup vs. Hurricanes
Forwards
Gabe Perreault - J.T.
Miller - Mika Zibanejad
Will Cuylle - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Jonny Brodzinski - Noah Laba - Taylor Raddysh
Anton Blidh - Sam Carrick - Matt Rempe
Defense
Vladislav Gavrikov - Braden Schneider
Matthew Robertson - Will Borgen
Urho Vaakanainen - Vincent Iorio
Goaltenders
Jonathan Quick
Spencer Martin
Game Info: Rangers vs. Hurricanes
- When: Thursday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. ET
- Where: Madison Square Garden
- How to Watch: MSG
The Rangers won’t hit the ice again for over three weeks. But before they scatter for Olympic duty or some much-needed rest, they’ve got one last test - and it’s a big one.