Quick Reacts: Rangers Versus Utah

Regular-season hockey has returned to Madison Square Garden.

On Saturday, Oct. 12 the Rangers faced their first loss of the season to Utah Hockey Club at MSG. It was the Rangers' regular-season home opener which saw them hand Utah their third consecutive win with a final score of 6-5.

There was a lot to clean up defensively — especially in the second period. Though, the Rangers have earned 11 goals throughout two games.

But with game over, let's take a look at four quick rapid reacts and notes from the game.

1. Starting Off Slow

Utah (3-0) quickly struck first, and by quick we mean in less than four minutes into the first period.

The Rangers (1-1) fell asleep on the backside off of a Utah rush, with center Barrett Hayton finding the back of the net and making the Blueshirts pay.

Though, Artermi Panarin had his first goal of 2024-25 not even 10 minutes later, with Alexis Lafreniè posting the drop pass.

Jacob Trouba and Braden Schneider paired well in Pittsburgh, but clearly struggled tonight.

2. Answering when its Needed

The first three goals the Rangers scored on Saturday evening were in extremely close proximity time-wise to when Utah previously scored.

Clearly the newly named "Utah Jazz" generating offense really lit a fire under the Rangers tonight, with Utah only able to maintain a lead by two points before the third period.

Across the night, Adam Fox tallied three assists. Panarin scored twice, with K'Andre Miller, Will Cuylle and Schneider each scoring one.

The Rangers did earn a point, but came up just short.

3. Tensions Ran High

It began with a fight between one of the newest Rangers, Sam Carrick, and Michael Kesselring, but their bout was quickly overshadowed when a second scrap broke out between rookie Adam Edström and Jack McBain.

Edström was pummeling the Utah center with a few heavy blows to the head, proving that Matt Rempe isn't the only Rangers rookie who knows how to throwdown.

But the fight proved costly. Because they dropped the gloves after Carrick and Kesselring had already started exchanging punches, both Edström and McBain were assessed game-misconduct penalties and ejected from the contest.

4. Defensive Lapses

Utah had the lead at four separate times during the contest.

Despite many takes to give Shesterkin whatever he seeks contract wise, in a full game of playing time he gave up six goals with a .760 save percentage

The third of which was scored by Clayton Keller. Keller is undoubtedly the face of Utah's offense and who Shesterkin likely mentally prepared the most for to face off against.

The Russia native was coming off of his 16th shutout of his career. Though, perhaps we're being too harsh as this was the first time he's ever faced Utah given its their inaugural season.

The defensive lapses are definitely more to blame than Shesterkin himself. The second period is by far what killed the Blueshirts tonight.