Rangers Recap: A Historic Beginning

The New York Rangers made their mark on the start of the 2024-2025 NHL season, dominating the Pittsburgh Penguins en route to a 6-0 win. The Blueshirts opened the season with balanced scoring, as all four lines contributed a goal at 5v5, and Chris Kreider getting a shorty to seal it, his second of the game. Igor Shesterkin stopped all 29 shots he faced, becoming the first Ranger goalie to get a shutout on opening night since Gump Worsley.

The Rangers also outshot the Penguins 41-29 and scored five goals at 5v5. Of the six goals, none came on the powerplay. This was a clinic from start to finish, as the Rangers weathered the early storm and then crushed the Penguins. If anything, this was a statement that the Rangers are not a team to be overlooked.

What started out in Pittsburgh as taunts and jeers for Igor turned into a shutout, giving him the last laugh. Shesterkin didn’t have to make too many difficult saves, as he helped the team weather the storm early and then let the Rangers, playing a very sound defensive game, keep the puck away from him the majority of the game. Whenever Igor was called upon though, he answered. Perhaps contract-year Igor is the hero we need.

Aside from Shesterkin, many eyes were on the Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Reilly Smith line, and it delivered. Kreider scored twice–one shorthanded– while Smith added an assist and Zibanejad won 64% of his faceoffs while completely shutting down Sidney Crosby. Kreider is now 102 goals away from the all time Rangers goal record, and appears to be well on his way over the next three seasons to passing it.

All in all, the Rangers played one of their most complete games in recent memory. All 4 lines scored goals, Jacob Trouba had 2 primary assists (plus 4 shots and 5 blocks), and was the team’s best player by game score. Alexis Lafrenière sent Marcus Petterson to the shadow realm on the 2-0 goal, Victor Mancini made his NHL debut and didn’t look out of place whatsoever, Filip Chytil scored a beauty of a goal for the first time in forever, and Reilly Smith got his first point as a Ranger.

Don’t forget that third line as a whole too. The much needed depth scoring line dominated the Penguins, outshooting them 12-3 when on the ice.

We’ve got a long way to go obviously, but what an astonishingly encouraging start to this season. More games like this, and people will change their tune of the Rangers. They will not just be power play merchants, they’ll kick your teeth in at 5 on 5 too.