Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Heave ho, four in a row!
(Matthew Schaefer who? I kid, I kid – as I am a fan of the kid! He just seems like an overall down-to-earth nice guy – but I will have my fun with him here tonight!)
Who would’ve thunk it?
Hell, going into this season, then I would’ve had doubts about the Rangers even stringing together two consecutive wins, much less a quartet of them – but here we are, five games in – and with the Blueshirts holding a FIRST PLACE 4-1-0 record in the Metrosexual Division!
(And I may owe Stan Fischler a $1 come April too!)
As John Davidson made famous – “OH BABY!”
And let’s not forget about this either:
“We’re going to beat the Rangers every time we play them.” – Matt Schaefer, on 6/27/2025 and who in four games played against the Rangers last season, was 4-0 with 1G, 1A and a +2 rating.
Alexis Lafreniere had other plans on this night.
Another immediate thought I had from the Blueshirts’ 5-2 win over the Islanders?
This one:
When your most negative takeaway after a Rangers’ game is that the goalie didn’t pick up a goal or an assist — then that’s a hell of a thing!
Of course, there are also several issues with the Blueshirts’ top power-play unit – but akin to Alexis Lafreniere tonight – then you have to think that they’ll eventually figure it out.
In the meantime, then it’s nice to see the new second five-man team already clicking – as once again – they scored another huge goal – and as Oliver Bjorkstand did.
In fact, Bjorkstrand’s power-play goal doubled-up as his second goal of the match – and it also eventually held up as the game-winner too.
Not too shabby!
And if it wasn’t for Lafreniere’s big night, then perhaps there would be even more light shed on one of the New Look New York Ranger players in town.
Going into Tuesday night, then ESPN went with the game-plan of “All Matt Schaefer, All Matt Schaefer All The Time.”
I’ll bring this up later during the GAME REVIEW segment, but just to say it here – then I completely understood why ESPN took that approach.
To be succinct – then I had no problems with ESPN’s never-ending rim-job of the Isles’ sophomore.
Throughout the pregame, and then throughout the sixty-minutes of hockey that followed – and all ESPN talked about was Schaefer.
Whether it was his shooting, his passing, his defense, his speed, his ability to play with the puck, how many snot rockets he can shoot out of his nose and whatever else ESPN could conjure up, then the entire broadcast was dedicated to the Isles’ first-overall pick from 2025 – and the current reigning-and-defending Calder Trophy winner too.
In a way, then ESPN’s treatment of Schaefer felt like one of those M$G “Spotlight” broadcasts.
While all of this Islander love could be sickening for Ranger fans; but to me, then I was fine with it.
Yes, Ray Ferraro, who is just excruciating to listen to at times, was a tad overboard; but at the same time – then don’t we want the biggest sports’ network in America to promote hockey?
After all, then how many times have we complained about ESPN, and even the league itself, for not promoting their own stars?
Not only was ESPN promoting Schaefer all night – but they were making him out to be a big deal.
I think that’s great for both the NHL and ESPN.
And really – Schaefer deserved it – as not only did he win the Calder Trophy last season, but he was a Norris Trophy candidate too (12th place – and where Adam Fox, albeit injured, finished 14th).
Even better?
Then the fact that it was actually the Rangers’ former first-overall pick, Lafreniere (2020), that out-shined Schaefer (2025) – and even with that said – and that’s not entirely true either (more in the GAME REVIEW segment).
But when you score a hat trick, and even if two of those goals are empty netters (after all – then how many times do we see players miss these easy “gimmie goals,” and in turn – another team ties the game via their 6 x 5 attack?) – then it’s the Ranger – and not the Islander – that ultimately became the superstar come the end of the broadcast.
And hey, it was a win-win thing for ESPN too.
Not only did the Rangers/Islanders rivalry feel real for the first time in years – but they also gave us a hell of a hockey game too.
Bjorkstrand, who started the season in Sullivan’s top-six, only to be demoted to the fourth-line mid-way through the Rangers’ second game in Detroit, scored two goals tonight – the first goal and the game-winner.
“Yeah, I mean, you just wanna do your best when you’re out there,” said Bjorkstand when asked about his new role/demotion. “Whatever minutes, line you’re in, you gotta step up and do your part. I thought our line put in some good shifts, able to score a goal and capitalize on the power play. Overall, good night.”
Granted, and the following applies to everything about the Rangers right now – but it’s early.
It’s only five games out of eighty-four.
That said, and it would’ve been very easy for Bjorkstand to feel down in the dumps – if not completely pissed off.
After all, Bjorkstrand, making $4.5M this season, is on a one-year deal.
In other words, he’s playing for a new contract – and hopefully a contract with some years on it.
By being demoted so early into the season, then he could’ve very easily been derailed.
Instead, and he’s looking to prove Sullivan and his doubters wrong – and he’s doing it in the most positive way possible – by producing.
At the 6:40 mark of the game, and Lafreniere made his first best play of many on the night, as he beat Schaefer on a one-vs-one battle behind the boards of returning goaltender Seymon Varlamov, and in turn, fed the puck to an awaiting Bjorkstrand in the right circle.
That’s all she wrote – 1-0, GOOD GUYS.
Come the second period, and with this score still in tact, it was now Lafreniere’s turn to be the recipient of an excellent pass – and as was the case just 25-seconds into the stanza – as Zibanejad sprung his winger for the Rangers’ 2-0, GOOD GUYS, goal.
Admittedly, the Blueshirts, while possessing a strong penalty kill thus far (3/4 tonight), do need to limit their trips to the sin bin.
At the same time?
Then I can’t fault them too much either for all of these infractions – as most of these penalties are the result of aggressiveness and not giving up.
In other words, I rather see a penalty due to physicality instead of someone just sitting back and doing nothing at all.
The Islanders, on their third power-play at the time (2:56 of the second period), cut the Rangers’ lead to one, as Bo Horvat allowed “three times a charm” to ring true when he scored the 2-1 goal.
Just under two-minutes later, and Cal Ritchie, left all alone in front of CZAR IGOR, tied the game.
If this was last year, or even the season before that, then it would’ve been “SAME OLD RANGERS!”
For now, and again, it’s still early – and it’s now “NEW LOOK RANGERS!”
Having blown the previous two-goal lead – and the Rangers never relented.
Rather than getting frustrated and giving up – and instead of that – and the Blueshirts then kicked a field goal via three straight unanswered goals.
The Rangers’ first power-play unit, again, still looking for their mojo and chemistry, could never find the back of the net in this game – but they did have some good chances.
The second power-unit not only got good chances – but they made ’em count too – and as Bjorkstrand did with just 2:53 remaining in the second stanza.
Come the third-and-final frame, and with the 3-2, GOOD GUYS, score still in tact – and again – more of the “NEW LOOK RANGERS.”
The Blueshirts just smothered Baby Brother here.
Heck, they may as well have had chloroform in their gloves!
For the first time in a long time – and Sully’s Squad not only protected the one-goal lead – they mastered the art of it!
All of this set us up for the final two-minutes of the game – and where new Isles’ bench boss, the always a bridesmaid, never a bride, Peter DeBoer, pulled his goalie.
Lafreniere made it 4-2 via an empty netter.
With the game’s fate already decided – Lafreniere then scored his hat trick to put a cherry on top of the Rangers’ 5-2 win.
Again, people (mainly Islander fans) are crying about a hat trick that required two empty netters.
That said?
And all goals count.
For a player like Lafreniere, who can be so streaky, both hot and cold, then perhaps this was the game that will give him the confidence he needs as we get into the freezing and dark days of winter.
And since it’s Lafreniere, and as we’ve seen so many times in the past – then this just can’t be a one-off, not to score again for another dozen games or so.
There were also two other things that really caught my eye from this game.
As mentioned last time around, then it was nice to see the Rangers abandon the crazy east-west shit, perfected by NDA Panarin, where the winger, even if he’s the greatest free agent signing in franchise history, would make a million turnovers by his own blue line.
It was also nice to see the Rangers fight to the finish – including when Bjorkstand, when forced to, dropping the gloves with Adam Pelech.
Away from this meaningless fight with about a dozen-ticks remaining – but you also had other Rangers looking to score the touchdown goal.
ALL GAS, NO BRAKES!
And oh yeah – that new shiny toy in Hartford, Cole Beaudoin, also made his NHL debut.
More about one of the pieces acquired in the Vincent Trocheck trade below.
But before getting into Beaudoin, you know the deal at this time of any particular manifesto on this site – and say the following words along with me:
In case you missed it, then here’s where I last left off, the Rangers downing Utah to make it three in a row:
NYR/UTAH 10/4 Review: Resurgent & Refreshed Rangers Win Riveting Thriller Against the Mormons; Three Dubs in a Row, Physicality Leads The Way, CUYLLE HAND LUKE Throws Dukes; Lafreniere Plays with Horse Shoes & Hand Grenades, CZAR IGOR Scores Again (Albeit, An Assist), Overcoming Special Team Issues, Veleno Injured, Interesting Home Ice Stat, Trending Upwards, M$GN & More
A day following their 4-2 win against Utah, Monday, the Rangers reconvened for practice at their training facility in Tarrytown.
As expected – and Joe Veleno wasn’t there following his injury sustained on Sunday evening.
Also not there, and in some unexpected news to boot?
Matthew Robertson.
As Newsday’s Colin Stephenson put it, not only was Robertson waived by the Rangers prior to practice – but as the reporter, who was arriving late when covering the skate, was pulling up to the parking lot – and he said “Robertson was driving out of the facility.”
So not only did the Rangers officially waive Robertson for “roster management purposes” – but they made him drive to the facility – then told him to pack his bags once arriving.
For the 25-year-old defenseman, who waited so long in the AHL until finally making his NHL debut last year, then this was obviously a gut punch.
Keep in mind, Sullivan didn’t even play Robertson last season when the Rangers were in his home town too (Edmonton).
Following the skate, all Sullivan said was that Veleno was still being evaluated, while also adding that he wouldn’t play against the Islanders.
Should you desire, then you can watch Sullivan’s fourteen-minute interview from Monday morning here:
Come Tuesday morning, the Rangers held a well-attended optional skate.
Once complete, then it was revealed that Veleno had been placed on the injured reserve, where he now joins Joonas Korpisalo.
When it comes to the specifics of Veleno’s injury, and how long he’s projected to be out for, then Sullivan didn’t mutter a word.
(And to just jump ahead – Sullivan echoed the same sentiment following the win over the Islanders. In other words, we don’t know if Veleno is out day-to-day, week-to-week or month-to-month.)
For that matter, Sullivan didn’t say anything about the decision to waive Robertson either (but as is usual – and Sullivan just praised Robertson as a player – as it makes no sense to put the guy down in the media).
However, and by the art of deduction, then we are left to determine that the Rangers are high enough on Smits that they were willing to lose Robertson for nothing in return.
While Robertson is a southpaw when compared to the team’s other spare defenseman, the right-handed Scott Morrow; then, and in a way, it also tells us that the Blueshirts aren’t willing to part ways with the piece acquired in last summer’s trade of K’Andre Miller (Carolina).
Or at least not with something coming back in exchange.
At the time of this news (noon), the Rangers had yet to make call-up – and despite both Robertson being waived and Veleno being placed on IR.
Sullivan, on the anticipated transaction, said they were still walking through roster logistics.
This could’ve meant anything, such as making sure they were cap compliant or perhaps putting in a claim on the recently waived Connor Zary (Calgary).
(They didn’t put a claim on Zary.)
Heck, it also could’ve meant that the Pepperoni Prince, Rangers’ GM Chris Drury, was exploring a trade.
(That didn’t happen either.)
Here’s Sullivan’s post-practice interview from Tuesday morning – and where he didn’t seem to have his fourth line set in stone yet either (he teased Rempe, Chmelar and Bjorkstand as potential fill-in centers):
Following all of the events above taking place, then come 2PM and we had a 1-2 punch of news.
First on the docket was that Matthew Robertson had cleared waivers, and in turn, was assigned to Hartford.
Secondly, departing Hartford for The Show was Cole Beaudoin.
The call-up of Beaudoin really shocked me – as this went against all of Drury’s previous history in similar situations.
As noted last time around, then I expected a veteran to get the call – and mainly because the role being filled was for a fourth-line job (minimal minutes).
As we’ve seen in the past, then among all young prospects and forwards, then only Gabe Perreault has been called-up – and only because a top-six position was available.
Beaudoin, who took an o-zone penalty on Tuesday night, finished as +1, a team second-best of three hits, and only played 9:57.
Does that hurt the development of a guy who could play twenty minutes a night in Hartford?
If it was last year’s Rangers, then I’d say yes.
Five games in, and now I’m not so sure.
At the very least, he’ll get a cup of coffee here – and should he be returned to the Wolf Pack once Veleno is ready-and-able (and the Rangers will need Veleno for his penalty killing) – then at least Beaudoin will have something to aspire to.
Beaudoin, who not only took his first rookie lap tonight, but also had a ton of family in-attendance, said after the game, “I found out today [about being called up], so it was kind of a quick turnaround. But I’d do anything to play for this team. Just super excited to play my first game with this group of guys, they made it super special and super easy.”
SUPER!
Here was Silly Sully’s line-up for the fifth game of this 84-game 2026-27 campaign:
FIRST LINE: Perreault/Mika/Lafreniere
SECOND LINE: Kartye/Miller/Dorofeyev
THIRD LINE: Cuylle/Laba/Tolvanen
FOURTH LINE: Bjorkstrand/Beaudoin/Chmelar
FIRST PAIR: Gavrikov/Fox
SECOND PAIR: Pettersson/Durzi
THIRD PAIR: Smits/Schneider
STARTING GOALIE: CZAR IGOR
BACK-UP: Garand
HEALTHY SCRATCHES: Morrow and Rempe
IR: Korpisalo and Veleno
BOX SCORE time.
The following graphics and information come from ESPN.com:
SCORING:
PENALTIES:
TEAM STATS:
GOALIES:
|
NYR
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 19 | 2 | 17 | .895 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59:47 | 0 |
|
NYI
|
|
SA
|
GA
|
SV
|
SV%
|
ESSV
|
PPSV
|
SHSV
|
SOSA
|
SOS
|
TOI
|
PIM
|
| 22 | 3 | 19 | .864 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59:13 | 0 |
Since this was an ESPN game, then there wasn’t much of a pregame show.
Plus, while we all love Mark Messier – but who can sit through P.K. Slewban’s nonsense – and his god-awful outfits too?!?!?
That said, and prior to puck drop, and there were these few notes:
— The Rangers, because of the injuries (Korpisalo and Veleno), combined with Beaudoin’s promotion, are now the youngest team in the NHL, with an average age of 26.5 years-old. I really don’t know what to make of that – and for now, I guess it’s a good thing – considering the team is 4-1-0 – and undefeated ever since becoming the youngest team in the NHL!
— It was mentioned that this was Seymon Varlamov’s first start in nearly two-years. Previously, and the now 38-year-old, the second-oldest goalie in the NHL (the greatest Blueshirts’ back-up goalie of all time, Cam Talbot, and if you can believe it, is now the eldest among all 64 NHL netminders), was a huge Ranger Killer. Not so much tonight!
— And of course, then I’d be remiss if I didn’t share this – Beaudoin’s rookie lap:
Cole Beaudoin leads out #NYR for his rookie lap! https://t.co/Xl9UiD2XUM
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 6, 2026
And with that said – GAME REVIEW time – and away we go!
FIRST PERIOD
The two captains from either side, J.T. Miller and Bo Horvat, took the first draw of the game, and with the Big Apple player beating Baby Brother.
It took only seconds for the excruciating-to-listen to, Ray Ferraro, to bring up how the Rangers started at M$G last season with a record of 0-6-1.
Today?
They are now 3-0 – and haven’t been shutout on Garden ice either!
BABY BLUESHIRT STEPS!
Just 1:55 in and CZAR IGOR made a door stop save on Brayden Schenn. A few seconds later, the only goalie to score in the NHL this season picked up two more saves (Schaefer and Viktor Eklund).
At the 2:30 mark, and with the Rangers looking for their first shot on goal – and Dorofeyev went just wide.
After this miss, the twenty-year-old Beaudoin took his first NHL shift – and then spent the entirety of it in the Islander zone.
At the 4:30 mark, Lafreneire tried to find a streaking Perreault, but just missed with his pass.
It was also around this time when Tony DeAngelo heard his first round of boos. For the 7668968967896th time – I don’t get why Ranger fans hate DeAngelo so much, but since the jeers do bother him – then I’m all for it.
At the six-minute mark, the SOG totals were Isles 5, Rangers 0.
In other words, the Blueshirts had yet to challenge a goalie who hadn’t played an NHL game in nearly two-years.
Come the 6:40 mark?
Then, BOOM, out of nowhere, Bjorkstand rifled a shot off of a change from the right circle.
Assisting on the goal?
Lafreniere, who beat Schaefer by the boards behind Varlamov.
This marked Lafreniere’s second assist of the season – thus giving him one more than CZAR IGOR.
At the time, not only was it 1-0, GOOD GUYS, but the Rangers were shooting at 100% too!
Take a look:
13 wins a battle against 2 #Isles and 28 hammers it.
What a shot. https://t.co/y7x6G9hz2B
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 6, 2026
No less than a minute after the goal, the 7:21 mark, Beaudoin got his name on the stat sheet – but not for something positive – as he took an o-zone penalty when he tripped DeAngelo.
The Islanders had their chances during these two-minutes, but they sent about five shots wide and where CZAR IGOR stopped another.
End result?
A 1/1 Rangers’ PK, and a penalty kill now 12/13 on the season.
At the half-mark of the period, the Rangers remained up 1-0 – and despite being out-shot 6-1.
As the period progressed, the Rangers not only struggled to get shots off – but barely shot the puck too.
Finally, with 7:48 remaining, Zibanejad recorded the Rangers’ second shot on goal – and a puck that went down as Varlamov’s first save of the match too.
As ESPN continued to verbally fellate Schaefer (and I get it), Miller and Schenn decided to drop the gloves out of a TV timeout:
MILLER AND SCHENN DROPPED THE GLOVES IN THIS RIVALRY MATCHUP 🥊🥊🥊 https://t.co/PbbiQC9RrY
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 7, 2026
I don’t know what sparked this, outside of the rivalry, but Miller, and with ease, quickly disposed of the Islander trash.
And yep – here were the Rangers, once again, FIGHTING for each other.
Love it!
A few seconds later, with 7:19 remaining, and the fight won produced results, as Eklund took a holding penalty on Gavrikov.
About forty-seconds into the power-play, Mika fed Cuylle right on the doorstep, but somehow Varly was able to fight off what should’ve been an easy 2-0 goal.
And that was all she wrote for this now 0-1 Blueshirts’ power-play.
Approaching three-minutes remaining and Horvat had a mini-breakaway. CZAR IGOR made the save – but Lafreniere made the tomahawk slash – thus putting the Islanders back on the power-play.
(This was a good penalty, as Lafreniere did lessen Horvat’s chances of scoring, combined with the fact that the Rangers’ penalty kill has been humming thus far this season.)
Just 13-seconds into the power-play – and Schaefer just absolutely crushed the post off a one-timer – whew!
Down to 40-seconds remaining and CZAR IGOR flashed the leather against Eklund. At the time – and #31 was just completely locked in – as this puck actually took a bounce off of the ice before making its way to the paint.
With 13-seconds remaining on the penalty kill, and 1:16 left in the period, Holmstrom went down in a heap, as a puck that Durzi was trying to clear caught the Islander right on the bridge of the nose.
Fortunately, Holmstrom, while obviously bloody, was able to leave the ice under his own power.
He returned to the game come the second period.
HOCKEY PLAYERS.
TOUGH AS NAILS.
As we hit one-minute remaining, the Rangers’ PK was now 2/2.
1-0, GOOD GUYS, through 20-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
— It’s still hilarious to me that Tony DeAngelo gets booed. He was a good Ranger exiled because of politics. That said – and all of the jeering works – as it’s always rattled him whenever playing against the Rangers – and no matter if it’s the Isles, Philly or Carolina.
— The penalty kill remains as a strong force (2/2, 13/14 on the season). The power-play (0/1) couldn’t light a 10 watt bulb.
— Despite the low SOG totals (9-5), (and where for a long stretch, it was 7-1 NYI), the Rangers, in my eyes, are playing the right way. Nothing against NDA Panarin, as he is the greatest free agent signing in franchise history – but all of the crazy east-west shit, including the turnovers, is gone.
— Good for Lafreniere – in a #1 v #1 pick battle – he beat Schaefer to set-up the Bjorkstrand goal.
— Also good for J.T. Miller – FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!
— Hope Holmstrom is okay – that puck to the bridge of the nose looked nasty.
— Keep battlin’.
SECOND PERIOD
Notorious Ranger killer, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, beat Zibanejad at the dot to win the first faceoff of the frame.
Following the Isles’ brief time with the puck and Mika found Lafreniere for his first goal of the season at just the 25-second mark:
Give the secondary assist on this play to #NYR EQ Manager, Cass Marques.
Mika got a stick from the bench, then made a great feed from his knees to Lafreniere.
https://t.co/AjTuznQpI4
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 7, 2026
2-0, GOOD GUYS!
What a rocket!
And with this goal?
Then with his assist on the Bjorkstand goal – and Lafreniere (1G, 1A) had now matched CZAR IGOR’s scoring stats from this season!
Since nothing good lasts forever, then at the 2:02 mark, Tolvanen went to the box for hooking new Islander, Logan Stanley, thus putting the Rangers on the PK for the third time.
The third Islander power-play was a charm, as some 54-seconds later and Horvat walked right in and beat CZAR IGOR for the 2-1 goal:
Captain Bo Horvat 🚨 https://t.co/NJJA9STouO
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 7, 2026
And come the 4:52 mark?
The Islanders, behind Callum Ritchie, tied the game at 2-2:
Ritchie with some ELITE patience here on Shesterkin for a goal 😳🚨 https://t.co/8LidV1zixS
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 7, 2026
Bad turnover, Ritchie all alone, and that’s all she wrote.
With the game now reset after two Islander goals scored in just 1:56, and it felt like the Rangers were on their heels a bit.
As Ferraro and ESPN continued to tongue Schaefer’s asshole (and again – I get it – we want the league to promote and make stars) and Rangers were still stuck on seven SOG at the seven-minute mark.
The Islanders? Only two SOG in the period – but both of them also went for goals.
The third Islander shot almost went for a goal too – but fortunately – CZAR IGOR was able to stone DeAngelo off an odd-man rush – and as he did with 11:16 to go.
As we hit the half-way mark of the game/period, the SOG were now 12-7, Islanders.
Come 9:10 remaining, and the SOG were now 13-7 – as CZAR IGOR made a loud save on a Matias Maccelli wrist shot.
A minute later and Schaefer just missed the net. Right after that, #48 in white hit the post for the second time in as many periods.
If that wasn’t enough, then we had another example this season of the Rangers playing for each other, as we had a full 5 x 5 scrum with the Blueshirts’ third line and third pair teaming up against the lowly Isles.
The light fisticuffs led to off-setting roughing penalties for Cizikas and Smits – so two minutes of foreplay with 7:49 remaining.
Right into the 4×4 and Zibanejad found Fox – for a shot high and wide. Fox’s partner, Gavrikov, then had a shot denied by Varlamov, as this was the first time since the Lafreniere goal where the Rangers’ offense woke up.
Prior to returning to even-strength and the Blueshirts iced the puck, but at least they looked good during the two-minutes of foreplay.
Down to 5:00 remaining and CZAR IGOR robbed Ritchie from point-blank range – another break for the Blueshirts.
Come 4:32 left to play and Schenn went to the box for holding Gavrikov – and where duh – the Rangers really needed a power-play goal here.
And that’s what soon transpired.
The first power-play unit had chances – but once again – nada.
The second unit wasted no time at all, as after Cuylle and Perreault had chances, Bjorkstand, from the left of Varly, beat the goalie for the 3-2, GOOD GUYS, power-play goal:
Perreault with a SWEET FEED to an open Bjorkstrand who does the rest 🔥🚨 https://t.co/KMgeDBv12c
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 7, 2026
Once again, and it was the second quintet, and not the top unit, that picked up the man-advantage score – and at the right time too.
With the assist, this gave Perreault a point in every game played since Boston.
3-2, GOOD GUYS, through forty-minutes.
Here’s what I said at the time:
— Oliver “Army of Me” BJORKstrand with two goals.
— SOG, 14-11, Isles.
— It’s amazing how the first PP unit can’t score, as it’s the second quintet with all of the man-up goals.
— Not only does the rivalry feel back, but this also feels like a huge litmus test for both sides.
— It’s sickening, but you can’t fault ESPN for verbally fellating Schaefer all night. We all want the league to make stars, so you can’t knock it when it happens.
— Rangers have to cut down on the penalties.
— Can CZAR IGOR extend his point streak? If not, then just extend the Rangers’ winning streak!
— FIGHT!
THIRD PERIOD
Zibanejad won the first draw of our final frame which then set-up Gavrikov for a try at Varly.
On the next puck drop, Varly then had to stop a bomb from Pettersson – which just tells you that the Rangers were more aggressive – and doing a good job of protecting their lead too.
If that wasn’t enough, then Schaefer was forced to haul ass back and break up a Cuylle blast.
The Islanders then rebounded a bit, as CZAR IGOR then made back-to-back saves on both Romanov and Pulock.
At the 4:25 mark, the Rangers were back on the penalty kill for the fourth time, as Kartye went off for holding DeAngelo.
The Islanders’ man-advantage teams didn’t look as electric as their try prior to this, but Tolvanen did have to block a Holmstom shot in order to get the kill – and a PK that was now 3/4.
Come 12:50 remaining, Palat hit the post – the third Islander <DING> on the evening.
As both teams continued to battle, we remained, 3-2, GOOD GUYS and with the Isles holding an 18-14 SOG advantage with ten-minutes to go.
A DeAngelo turnover then sprung Chmelar, but the Isles were able to get back and break up his try.
Down to 7:30 remaining and the third line & third pair had another good shift and where Varly had to make a stop on Smits – as the second-youngest defenseman in franchise history broke up a near ten-minute SOG drought.
With 6:40 remaining, it looked like the Rangers had doubled-up the Islanders but Mika hit the post, putting the <DING> counter at 3-1, baby brother. Right after that and Varly robbed Perreault on save that I don’t think he knew that he had made at the time.
As Dorofeyev, Miller and Cuylle received an odd-man rush with 4:11 remaining, Varly lost his footing and left his net open. The Isles’ defense came swarming back, thus preventing a Blueshirts’ insurance goal.
Seven-seconds later, and the Rangers still pressing, watched Varly make a big stop on Kartye.
Come 2:49 remaining and CZAR IGOR made a ground ball save on Eklund – and where the Yankees could’ve used his glove in their first inning game against Tampa on Monday night too.
It wasn’t until there was 1:55 remaining when Varly left his net – and when the crowd was screaming for an Igor goal too!
Instead of CZAR IGOR putting the game away – and it was Lafreniere joining Bjorkstrand in the two-goal game category with his 4-2, SEE YA, empty netter!
Now 4-2 and the Isles pulled Varly again – and Lafreniere scored again with just 66-seconds remaining too!
Take a look at Lafreniere’s 5-2 HAT TRICK goal:
Alexis Lafrenière caps off the Rangers dub with a hat trick 🎩🎩🎩 https://t.co/hg0F96Diwz
— ESPN (@espn) October 7, 2026
5-2, THE GOOD GUYS!
Just as impressive?
The Rangers didn’t just sit back with the now “dreaded three-goal lead” – as both Bjorkstrand and Beaudoin were looking for the Rangers’ touchdown in the final seconds.
The fighting continued with 12.9 seconds to go, as Bjorkstrand and Pelech tussled.
It felt like this fight only took place because Pelech wanted to prevent Bjorkstrand of scoring a hat trick – which would’ve been the second Blueshirts’ hatty of the game.
Take a look at this, cough, ahem, “fight”:
Bjorkstrand and Pelech now go at it https://t.co/7rsItZ5jva
— Jonny Lazarus (@JLazzy23) October 7, 2026
For what it’s worth, the Rangers got a power-play out of this, which they didn’t score on, which again, is why the EYE TEST matters, as this abbreviated man-up try went down as 0/1 despite it only being 12-seconds and change long.
Either way, 5-2, GOOD GUYS, your final – and an embarrassment of the Islanders too!
All in all – another strong win for the Rangers – and where one more time – I’m overly impressed with their TEAM FIRST game.
Up Next: The Capitals on Friday night (10/9).
I’ll talk about Alex Ovechkin’s decision to retire after this season during that GAME REVIEW, but for now – he’s one of the greatest RANGER KILLERS of all time – and one of the best hockey players that I’ve ever seen too.
Speaking of RANGER KILLERS, then did you hear that there is a book out there about this very subject?
And what a way to transition to your favorite segment and mine, you know…
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My fourth title and tenth book is now available!
“The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” is now available for sale!
For complete information, please visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/rangerkillers/
My second plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
