Skip to main content
Blue Line Station
Fansided

Rangers winners and a lingering loser as home dominance continues vs. surging Lightning

The New York Rangers are rolling, and the team continues to inspire the fans with standout performances. One big name has room for improvement, and luckily they are being picked up by the rest of the team.
ByJustin Bonhard
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on Reddit
Google Discover
Oct 13, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) follows through on a shot against Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Ilya Mikheyev (95) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Oct 13, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafreniere (13) follows through on a shot against Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Ilya Mikheyev (95) during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Rangers are for real folks. This team has faced just about everything that has been thrown at them and brushed it off. This is shaping up to be a very interesting next couple of months.

Facing a surging Tampa Bay Lightning team, this was a tough test, but as seen over 60 minutes of positive hockey, the Rangers have a fantastic group of players. A 4-1 win brings them to 6-2-0 on the season, and they are now one point behind the Carolina Hurricanes for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division.

Let's talk about all of the clear-cut winners from this game, and unfortunately, one lingering loser.

Winners

Dylan Garand

There has to be a study done on those who wear the Blueshirts sweater and the big pads in goal. This franchise has consistently had fantastic goaltenders, and it stretches out for decades. Dylan Garand is trying his best to replicate that of Cam Talbot from years ago, when he stepped in for Henrik Lundqvist.

Garand is getting a curtain call from the Madison Square Garden crowd, and this team is eating it up. Igor Shesterkin's injury will still be a big black mark on the 2026-27 season, but a 25-save performance from Garand against a very good Lightning offense will be remembered forever.

Will Cuylle

Will Cuylle is turning up the heat. He is proving to be worth every penny of his next deal, and another goal has been added to his season total. He has three goals and three assists in the young season. Did I forget to mention that No. 50 laid 11(!) hits on the Lightning in this game, over the course of just under 17 minutes of ice time.

Alexis Lafrenière

Alexis Lafrenière is on fire. Cue up the NHL Hitz power-up because everything he does is like a cheat code. With another multi-goal performance, notching two past reigning Vezina goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, No. 13 now has seven goals on the season. He is on a four-game scoring streak, with no signs of slowing down.

Loser

Pavel Dorofeyev
Oct 1, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers right wing Pavel Dorofeyev (16) plays the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Pavel Dorofeyev

Unfortunately, one soft spot remains on this roster. Pavel Dorofeyev has been a dud since his home-opening game performance of a goal and an assist against the Lightning. This contest was a different vibe from him, as his goalless game streak extends to six games. Moving him to the top line was a good idea from head coach Mike Sullivan, but it has yet to add any kind of spark.

When will Dorofeyev finally get back on track?

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Loading recommendations... Please wait while we load personalized content recommendations