After winning the Presidents' Trophy last season, the New York Rangers are in position to likely miss the playoffs this time around. Despite changes seemingly on the horizon at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are looking to build off a 9-2 win over the New York Islanders.
It has been a bit up and down at time for the Blueshirts, but they sure looked impressive to the fans in the last game. The Rangers scored nine goals against the New York Islanders, which was enough for the blowout victory. But in order to capitalize on that win and stay alive they'll have to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes and their star player of Sebastian Aho.
Sebastian Aho
Aho, Carolina's star center, currently leads the team with 71 points compiled with 28 goals and 43 assists in 77 game appearances. Even more impressive is the fact that No. 20 has played his entire career with the Hurricanes. The forward is known for his exceptional hockey sense, mobility, and competitiveness and stands at 6'0" and weighing 180 pounds. His game is also characterized by his quick skating, agility, and ability to read the game effectively
The Finland native was selected by Carolina as the No. 35 overall pick in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft, Aho arrived in Carolina in 2016-17 and finished his first season with 49 points (24 goals, 25 assists). Aho has also made NHL history as the third player in league history to begin a season (2018-19) with at least one assist in 12 straight games, joining hockey legend Wayne Gretzky (Edmonton Oilers, 1982-83) and Ken Linseman (Bruins, 1985-86) and passed Ron Francis for the longest season-opening point streak in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history during a 3-2 loss to the Boston Bruins at PNC Arena on Oct. 30, 2018.
Most recently, Aho was one of the first six players chosen to play for Finland at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off. He had 89 points (36 goals, 53 assists) in 78 games in 2023-24. He had 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in 11 playoff games.
As far as his contract is concerned — he became a restricted free agent after the 2018-19 season and signed a five-year, $42.27 million offer sheet with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1, 2019. The Hurricanes matched the offer July 7, securing his spot on the Carolina roster once again.
How to Tune In
Rangers fans can watch the Blueshirts attempt to shut out Aho and the Carolina Hurricanes (46-27-5) during Saturday's 3:00 p.m. EST puck drop at the Lenovo Center. The matchup will be available on cable on ABC, for streaming via ESPN+, and YouTube TV. Be sure to tune into our Twitter for live updates.