An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Igor Shesterkin allows a goal to Alex Newhook (not pictured) during the second period of the Rangers’ 3-2 loss to the Canadiens on April 2, 2026 at Madison Square Garden, Image 2 shows Cole Caufield (center) celebrates with teammates after a second period goal, the first of his two scores, in the Rangers’ loss to the Canadiens at the Garden
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The Rangers enjoyed a rare stretch filled with rookie debuts, milestones and wins, but reality is one heck of a buzzkill.
Canadiens star Cole Caufield delivered the reality check.
Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Canadiens at Madison Square Garden snapped the Blueshirts’ three-game winning streak, as Caufield potted goals Nos. 48 and 49 of the season to stifle the home team’s two-goal, third-period comeback.
A notable number of Montreal jerseys were in the MSG stands to see it.
You could hear just how many there were after each Canadiens goal.
And they shot out of their MSG seats as Caufield made a slick move around Vladislav Gavrikov with just over five minutes left in regulation to put Montreal ahead.
Igor Shesterkin allows a goal to Alex Newhook (not pictured) during the second period of the Rangers’ 3-2 loss to the Canadiens on April 2, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Jason Szenes for New York Post
J.T. Miller looked caught off guard by linesman Dan Kelly’s puck drop on the faceoff that led to Caufield’s goal. Asked about it after the game, The Rangers captain said he didn’t want to get into it.
“There’s a lot that goes on in the game,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for Dan. I’ve known him a long time. It’s a moment that nobody wanted to have for me and him and sorry, we’ll leave it at that.”
The Rangers fell behind 2-0 in a lopsided second period in which they were outshot 11-5.
They rallied with two goals in just under five minutes in the third.
After Adam Fox put in a loose puck, Will Cuylle ended a 13-game drought dating to March 7 when Jonny Brodzinski’s shot deflected off him and past Montreal goalie Jacob Fowler.
Entering the game, the Rangers had picked up points in nine consecutive games (7-0-2) against the Canadiens, as well as in 14 of their past 17 meetings. (12-3-2) dating to November 2019.
Cole Caufield (center) celebrates with teammates after a second period goal, the first of his two scores, in the Rangers’ loss to the Canadiens at the Garden. Jason Szenes for New York Post
“We talked about it between periods, just getting the next goal,” head coach Mike Sullivan said. “Trying to get it in striking distance. Our effort, I thought, was there all night long. It’s unfortunate the goal that beat us, but seemed like a nothing play. As far as the effort, and how hard our guys competed to get back in the game, I give them a lot of credit.”
Miller is the 2025-26 Rod Gilbert “Mr. Ranger” Award winner.
The annual award, created in the 2021-22 season in honor of the late Rod Gilbert, is given to the Blueshirt who “best honors Rod’s legacy by exemplifying leadership qualities both on and off the ice and making a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”
“It’s an honor,” Miller said after the loss. “I feel proud, but feel a lot of pride for that Mr. Gilbert was an unbelievable Ranger and wore the crest as well as anybody. I know what he means to the city and the organization and the Rangers, so to be able to go down there and be a part of that. It meant a lot to my wife, Natalie, and I. This is something we’re just getting started with, and it’s been awesome so far being back being a Ranger. It means the world to me.”
In January, Miller and his wife, Natalie, donated $154,000 to the Garden of Dreams Foundation, marking the largest donation to the nonprofit organization made by a player in MSG sports history.
With this donation, Garden of Dreams purchased 10 suites to invite youth from varying partner organizations, such as NYPD Widows and Children’s Fund, SCAN-Harbor, Ronald McDonald House New York, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and more, to attend Rangers games and to meet the Millers following the game.
At the beginning of the 2025-26 season, Miller also represented the Rangers at the BGC Charity Day in honor of the lives lost in the September 11 attacks. Miller participated in celebrity guest calls on the trading floor, met fans and helped raise funds for the Garden of Dreams Foundation.
Goalie Jonathan Quick returned from a seven-game absence due to an upper-body injury to serve as backup to Igor Shesterkin on Thursday.
Defenseman Urho Vaakanainen shed his red noncontact jersey during an optional morning skate Thursday but was sidelined for his eighth straight game with an upper-body injury.