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3 winners and 1 minor loser from Rangers 5-2 home victory over Ducks

Oliver Bjorkstrand broke out with two goals and Dylan Garand was dialed in, but one winger is still searching for his touch. Winners and losers from Monday night.
ByJustin Bonhard
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Oct 19, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 19, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers right wing Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) celebrates his goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Rangers needed a solid win following the two-game losing skid to New Jersey and Columbus. Dropping back-to-back Metropolitan Division losses is a sour taste in the mouth of a great season so far. 

A 5-2 victory was enough to drop the visiting Anaheim Ducks, and their revolutionary young core. Many Rangers stepped up to the plate in this one, with only one minor misstep in this one that may spark some fire in a necessary piece. 

Let’s talk about it. 

Winners

Oliver Bjorsktrand 

After some questions were raised on his impact from the fourth line, Oliver Bjorkstrand made a fool out of everyone. Including me. 

A solid two-goal performance helped catapult this team and seal it late as he had the Rangers final goals of the evening. The Rangers need Bjorkstrand to continue to be everything that he was in that game against the Ducks, as he could be a diamond in the rough for this offense.

Dylan Garand 

It might still look like a slippery slope at goaltender, with this team falling off at any moment because of it. But, Dylan Garand is certainly proving a point that he is worth being called upon game after game. 

This improbable season continues for No. 33, as he extends his record to 4-2-1 with a .929 save percentage and a measly 1.85 goals against average. He has stepped up big time, and this recent 29-save performance against the Ducks is another notch under his belt. If not for some late mistakes with the puck, he could have had another shutout.

The trade rumors are still circling on the Rangers going for an established goaltender, but you cannot deny that Garand has been killing it in his opportunity.

Gabe Perreault 

Gabe Perreault was placed back on the top power play unit and continues to shine this season. The young forward has been a nice addition to the top line as his development continues to improve. No. 94 scored his fourth goal on the season, and the idea of him being the top left-winger of this forward group for a long, long time is starting to get real.

Loser

Benching of Pavel Dorofeyev on PP1

After another bad performance from Pavel Dorofeyev on the power play, which was one of the main reasons why he was brought to New York, he was benched from the man-advantage unit entirely for Perreault. This was explained by head coach Mike Sullivan, and it is a perfect quote on accountability.

This is going to be a trending storyline going forward, as Dorofeyev will eventually break through this cold-streak. The Rangers are playing great hockey, and they will be even better when No. 16 fully comes alive.

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