Rangers Host Lightning in Early Season Rematch at Madison Square Garden

The New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden in an early 2026-27 NHL season rematch, with both teams seeking momentum after contrasting starts. The game follows the Rangers' 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay on October 1.

According to NHL.com, the Lightning entered the matchup with a 0-1-0 record against the Rangers this season after their opening loss, while Sports Yahoo reported Tampa Bay had improved to 4-1-0 after a four-game winning streak.

Sports Yahoo reported the Rangers had a 5-2-0 record and were unbeaten at home at 4-0-0, outscoring opponents 20-7 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers had led or been tied after 18 of 21 periods.

Goalie Dylan Garand was scheduled to make his second straight start after Igor Shesterkin suffered a serious knee injury that ended his season, according to Sports Yahoo. Garand stopped 19 of 21 shots in a 6-2 win over Vancouver.

Defenseman Sean Durzi described the challenge of facing Tampa Bay after the Lightning's recovery from the opening loss.

"It's not only the skill they have, the speed, the size, just everything. That's a good hockey team they have over there. They've won a lot of games in previous years and they know what to do to win hockey games. But again, it's taking pride in what we do well and that's defending well, sticking to our game, it's working for each other." said Sean Durzi, defenseman.

Sports Yahoo reported the Rangers adjusted their lineup with Matt Rempe returning to the fourth line, replacing Jaroslav Chmelar, who played six games without recording a point.

Pavel Dorofeyev also returned to the top power-play unit after briefly losing the role, according to Sports Yahoo. Dorofeyev had one goal and two assists in seven games after joining the Rangers from the Vegas Golden Knights.

Nikita Kucherov led Tampa Bay's early offense with a point in each of the team's five games, while Brandon Hagel recorded a hat trick in the Lightning's 5-3 win over the New York Islanders, according to Sports Yahoo.