Holy hell, what a fun and memorable hockey weekend it was at Madison Square Garden. Two resounding victories by the New York Rangers, each against a team still in the hunt for a playoff spot. And sandwiched in the middle of those wins, a historic night for the PWHL in its first game ever at the World’s Most Famous Arena on Saturday.
There hasn’t been a better stretch of hockey on Garden ice this season. The Rangers have won five of six with one more to play on a season-long seven-game homestand. They’ve outscored the opposition 27-8 in the past six home games. Go ahead and laugh, you deserve it after their complete inability to score goals and win games at MSG for much of 2025-26.
What’s more is that MSG is a fun destination again. Hat tricks for Gabe Perreault and Will Cuylle this weekend. The unbridled joy and energy brought into each contest by rookies Adam Sykora and his BFF Jaroslav Chmelar. A goalie fight brought to the light another talent Igor Shesterkin possesses.
It’s been a rollicking good time at The Garden recently. And speaking of which, what a simply amazing vibe and energy inside MSG on Saturday night, when the PWHL set another League record with 18,006 in attendance for an entertaining, nail-biting 2-1 victory for the New York Sirens over the Seattle Torrent, in the shootout.
Women’s sports matter. The PWHL matters. The pregame ovations for U.S. Olympic gold medalist Hilary Knight, Sirens star Sarah Fillier, and New York native Casey O’Brien, the Sirens’ star rookie, built to a fever pitch, each slightly eclipsing the next. That is until Billie Jean King — tennis legend, women’s sports pioneer and advocate, and PWHL advisory board member — was introduced for the ceremonial face-off.
No exaggeration here — it felt like the famous roof in the building was going to be blown off, such was the reaction to the reknowned sports icon.
In addition, it was so much fun to be in the middle of it all, not only games, but hosting the Rink Rap podcast two blocks away at Mustang Harry’s (29th and 7th). We set up shop to record the show there Saturday, after the Rangers defeated the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 and before the first-ever PWHL game at MSG. Jonny Lazarus swung by to talk Rangers. Our own Lou Orlando was there to chat Sirens and PWHL.
The vibe and energy recording live at Mustang Harry’s was awesome. And it was so much fun getting to chat with so many hockey fans, and followers of Forever Blueshirts and Rink Rap.
No doubt, we’re going to it again. And again. Too much fun not to! Special shout out to Ian and Niall Conroy, brothers and co-owners of Mustang Harry’s. Wonderful people, gracious hosts.
So, we’ll finish the Daily with this, a shameless plug: Check out the latest Rink Rap podcast at the Forever Blueshirts YouTube page. Or if listening on audio is your thing, well, here you go, just look right below this line!
Rangers news and analysis
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Here are the key Rangers takeaways from that massive 8-1 blowout win over the Capitals.
With the season winding down, our John Kreiser breaks down the Rangers week ahead, including why their final home game at MSG is actually a sad thing right now.
ICYMI: For sure, this was a very disappointing season. But there are some good things building with the Rangers, too.
The Athletic ($$): A fun story from Peter Baugh about Igor Shesterkin’s real-life boxing coach — yes, the Rangers goalie does have one!
NHL news and rumors
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The Athletic ($$): Peter Baugh and Shayna Goldman team up to explain why the Islanders fired coach Patrick Roy with four games remaining in the regular season, and why Peter DeBoer is their choice to replace Roy.
Sportsnet: On the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, Elliotte Friedman dives into the Toronto Maple Leafs GM search, and explains why the timing may not be right for Doug Armstrong to join them in the front office.
Philly Hockey Now: William James shares his takeaways after Porter Martone’s first NHL goal lifted the Flyers to a 2-1 overtime win over the Boston Bruins, and into a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Daily Faceoff: Longtime Hockey Night in Canada broadcaster Scott Oake announced that this will his final season on-air, and that he plans to retire after the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Penguins completed a weekend sweep over the Florida Panthers, and Dan Kingerski breaks it all down.
Detroit Hockey Now: Bob Duff takes a look at Red Wings coach Todd McLellan losing his patience as the season slips away (again) down the stretch for his club.
Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of … More about Jim Cerny
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