The New York Rangers hosted the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night, and it was a victorious effort. It took the Blueshirts all the way until overtime to secure the 3-2 win. This is the first rendition of star defenseman Adam Fox's absence, and eyes were all over the defensive unit to step up.
Let's go over three important takeaways from this game.
Best game of the season
The Rangers had their best game of the 2025-26 season, and it was in front of the home crowd. There has been so much floating around about this team's inability to win on home ice, and it is still true, but you cannot deny the effort and intensity that group put out there against the Stars.
With 41 shots on goal, which was a season-high for this team, coupled with 27 hits on the opposition, this was a complete game. Every skater was on the ball, and goaltender Igor Shesterkin was fantastic. Anyone who sat in the stands of Madison Square Garden was certainly given a nice treat.
Stepping up for Fox
Without Fox, there were many question marks with this team. Could they fix that giant hole in the defense, as well as losing a key offensive figure, immediately? The answer came with Vladislav Gavrikov and Braden Schneider manning the top pair. And they were fantastic, minus the Stars' second goal of the night from Mikko Rantanen, when Gavrikov was caught between a two-on-one that Shesterkin had no chance of grabbing.
Gavrikov then ended the game with a fantastic backhand chop in overtime. Carson Soucy also wanted to get in on the action with the opening goal of the game by being aware of the puck in the crease. What a showing from the blueline.
Are the Rangers back?
Watch out, everyone, the Rangers can win on home ice. Now 3-2 in their last five home appearances, the stigma is still real, but it should not be their biggest label. The Rangers still have a lot of issues, but they are getting much better with each game. At 14-12-2, they still sit at the bottom of the Metropolitan Division, but are only four points out of first place.
Yes, you read that right.
Is this team back? Are the Rangers finally the team we all hoped they would be? It is still too raw right now to make that statement, but one thing is for sure: they are entertaining hockey. This team can be a contender if they can get out of their own way. Play hockey, ignore the insults. This team is going to be alright, and this win against a great Dallas Stars squad is a good one to hang on the mantle of this season.