Category: Sports News

The New York Rangers appear to be locked in on utilizing three goaltenders to close out the 2025-26 season. 

On March 20, the Rangers recalled Dylan Garand from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, with Jonathan Quick dealing with an upper-body injury. 

Through Quick’s seven-game absence, Garand played in two games, posting a 1-0-1 record, 1.44 goals against average, and .954 save percentage.

Since Garand notched his first NHL win on March 27, we haven’t seen him play in a game, which begs the question: Will the Rangers keep him around for the remainder of the season?

As of right now, it does not appear that the Rangers have any intention of sending Garand down to the AHL, but Sullivan hasn’t given confirmation whether or not Garand will get another start.

“Would we like for Dylan to get another start? Potentially, yes,” Sullivan said. “We'll see how it goes moving forward. We have a game plan for him.”

Having three goaltenders up at the same time creates some complications in terms of finding opportunities for all three of them. 

Garand served in a backup role behind Shesterkin for much of Quick’s absence, being a healthy scratch for the past two games upon Quick’s return to practice. 

Each goalie has been a participant in practice, but it’s difficult to split the repetitions equally, with Shesterkin and Quick receiving most of the work.

Through conversations with Rangers president and general manager Chris Dury as well as  goaltending coach Jeff Malcolm, Sullivan has formulated a plan to navigate the three-goalie rotation. 

“We have a game plan,” Sullivan said of the Rangers’ three-goalie rotation. “Chris Drury and I have had a conversation around this, so we're very much on the same page on what we think is best and why. That was a lengthy discussion. It's not a decision that we make lightly. I've talked to Shesty, Quickie and Dylan around a tentative game plan on what we think this whole thing might look like... 

“Sometimes certain guys go out before practice, and they get repetition. Sometimes it's after practice. Certain guys split the net during the formal practice, depending on what that looks like. The point is, the logistical aspect of that (Jeff Malcolm) and I have had discussions around.”

Sullivan has made clear that, despite the Rangers being eliminated from playoff contention, Shesterkin is still the starting goaltender. 

The Tale Of Two Opposite Storylines: Gabe Perreault And Jonathan QuickSaturday afternoon was the tale of two opposite storylines: the beginning of what could be a promising career, and the potential end of a legendary career.

The Rangers have five games remaining this season, and with no back-to-backs in store, it’s possible Shesterkin starts every game to close out the 2025-26 campaign.

Even with the lack of opportunity to get game action at the NHL level, Sullivan believes there is value in keeping Garand with the Blueshirts and allowing him to learn under Shesterkin and Quick. 

“I think Quickie and Shesty have been great mentors for Dylan Garand right now,” Sullivan emphasized. “I can see that relationship developing. The example that those two guys set for a guy like Dylan, it's great for Dylan to be around these guys... I think a guy like Dylan right now being around these guys, I think there's huge value in that, and a huge benefit in that.”

The Rangers’ backup goaltending position is up for grabs come next season, and given Garand’s breadth of experience in the AHL and the fact that Quick’s one-year, $1.55 million contract will expire on July 1, it isn’t far-fetched to assume that Garand could take over the position backing up Shesterkin and replace Quick.

The dilemma Sullivan seems to have on his hands is wanting to offer Garand more opportunities in order to see what the organization truly has in him, while also giving Quick the respect he deserves, who could very well be playing in his final NHL season at 40 years old. 

“Shesty is an important guy to us. He's the number one guy here, and arguably the best goal in the game. We've had a lot of conversations lately about Quickie and what he means to the New York Rangers,” Sullivan said. “Just his body of work, and certainly, we are respectful of that. We're trying to do the right thing by all of our guys.”

Sullivan has continued to be tight-lipped regarding this three-goalie rotation, so it remains a mystery how it will evolve over these last remaining games.

Talk about the game with Pens fans here!

Flyers move into playoff position thanks to Martone, Vladar originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The postseason buzz felt real on Easter Sunday in South Philadelphia.

The Flyers climbed into playoff position with a 2-1 win over the Bruins at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Porter Martone scored his first career NHL goal to win it in OT.

Christian Dvorak gave the Flyers an early lead. Dan Vladar was excellent in net.

The Flyers (39-26-12) now hold the final playoff spot (third place) in the Metropolitan Division with five games to go. They took advantage of a busy Saturday going completely in their favor while they watched from home.

“It doesn’t happen all the time, the fortune went our way,” Rick Tocchet said before the game. “But we’ve been trying to not worry about what’s happening on the scoreboard. Obviously you look at it, but to me, some of that doesn’t matter if you don’t win hockey games. This is a big game for us.”

Tocchet’s club played like it, continuing its surge down the stretch. The Flyers won for the 14th time in their last 20 games (14-5-1) and have a real chance to end their five-year playoff drought (more on that below).

They went to overtime for the 27th time this season. They’re 15-12 after regulation.

The Flyers took two of three games from the Bruins (43-26-9) in their regular-season series.

• The Flyers are in third place with 90 points, one ahead of the Islanders. They also have a game in hand on New York.

With four games to go, the skidding Islanders sent shock waves through the league Sunday by firing head coach Patrick Roy and hiring Peter DeBoer.

In the division race, the Flyers are also battling the Blue Jackets and Capitals. Columbus has 88 points and was idle Sunday. Washington has 87 points and visits the Rangers tonight. The Flyers have a game in hand on the Capitals.

The Flyers entered the day in a four-way tie with the Senators, Red Wings and Blue Jackets for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot. Detroit lost in regulation to the Wild. Ottawa is currently playing the Hurricanes.

As of right now, the Flyers can focus on the division race. But we’ll update the latest on the wild card here when the Senators-Hurricanes game goes final.

• Vladar did his job once again, denying 18 of 19 shots.

The 28-year-old has given up just two goals over the last two games.

Boston cracked Vladar in the opening minute of the third period when Pavel Zacha scored a power play goal. Carl Grundstrom was in the penalty box for interference toward the end of the season period.

Bruins netminder Joonas Korpisalo stopped 29 of the Flyers’ 31 shots.

Dvorak struck just 4:19 minutes into the game. Martone sprung him with a crafty touch pass. The 19-year-old winger has not played like a teenager since signing his entry-level deal. He looks like he belongs.

Martone had a couple of looks with under five minutes left in regulation, but he couldn’t beat Korpisalo. Not long after denying Martone twice, Korpisalo turned away Tyson Foerster at the doorstep.

But Martone got Korpisalo in OT.

• The Flyers are back in action Tuesday when they visit the Devils (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).

Flyers move into playoff position thanks to Martone, Vladar originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The postseason buzz felt real on Easter Sunday in South Philadelphia.

The Flyers climbed into playoff position with a 2-1 overtime win over the Bruins at Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Porter Martone scored his first career NHL goal to win it in OT. It came on a 5-on-3 power play and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

“It was awesome to get that win in front of these fans,” Martone said.

Christian Dvorak gave the Flyers an early lead and also assisted Martone’s winner. Dan Vladar was excellent in net. The goaltender pumped up the crowd when he skated back onto the ice as the game’s third star.

“All I heard before I came here was that the fans are passionate,” Vladar said. “I wanted to experience it myself and I did, so it was great.”

The Flyers (39-26-12) now hold the final playoff spot (third place) in the Metropolitan Division with five games to go. They took advantage of a busy Saturday going completely in their favor while they watched from home.

“It doesn’t happen all the time, the fortune went our way,” Rick Tocchet said before the game. “But we’ve been trying to not worry about what’s happening on the scoreboard. Obviously you look at it, but to me, some of that doesn’t matter if you don’t win hockey games. This is a big game for us.”

Tocchet’s club played like it, continuing its surge down the stretch. The Flyers won for the 14th time in their last 20 games (14-5-1) and have a real chance to end their five-year playoff drought (more on that below).

“I think that West Coast trip, after going 3-0, I felt a little swagger from the guys coming off the plane,” Tocchet said. “That’s a tough trip. I think the week before, we had some tough games, some odd hours going to bed. Then we go on that West Coast trip, to go 3-0, I think that really added a lot of belief.”

The Flyers went to overtime for the 27th time this season. They’re 15-12 after regulation.

They took two of three games from the Bruins (43-26-9) in their regular-season series.

“I think this past month, just how we’ve been playing, it has been playoff hockey,” Noah Cates said. “For us to just stay above, be disciplined, not try to do something fancy or something stupid at the blue line, it speaks to the growth of the team — where we want to go, where we want to be, just how good we can be when we play that way.”

• The Flyers are in third place with 90 points, one ahead of the Islanders. They also have a game in hand on New York.

With four games to go, the skidding Islanders sent shock waves through the league Sunday by firing head coach Patrick Roy and hiring Peter DeBoer.

In the division race, the Flyers are also battling the Blue Jackets and Capitals. Columbus has 88 points and was idle Sunday. Washington stayed at 87 points after being blown out by the Rangers. The Flyers have a game in hand on the Capitals.

The Flyers entered the day in a four-way tie with the Senators, Red Wings and Blue Jackets for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot. Detroit lost in regulation to the Wild. Ottawa beat the Hurricanes, so it holds the second wild-card position at 90 points.

As of right now, the Flyers can focus on the division race. They control their destiny for third place.

• Vladar did his job once again, denying 18 of 19 shots.

The 28-year-old has given up just two goals over the last two games.

Boston cracked Vladar in the opening minute of the third period when Pavel Zacha scored a power play goal. Carl Grundstrom was in the penalty box for interference toward the end of the second period.

Bruins netminder Joonas Korpisalo stopped 29 of the Flyers’ 31 shots.

Dvorak struck just 4:19 minutes into the game. Martone sprung him with a crafty touch pass.

“That’s not an easy play at all,” Dvorak said. “It was right on my tape, I didn’t even have to move my stick.”

The 19-year-old winger has not played like a teenager since signing his entry-level deal. He looks like he belongs.

“You can just tell he’s a hockey player, he loves the game,” Tocchet said. “Even on the bench, you tell him something, he’s a very engaged kid.”

Through his first four games, with the pressure of a playoff race, Martone has a goal, two assists and 20 shots.

“It’s impressive, not easy to do that coming from college and right into a playoff race,” Dvorak said. “He’s a big body, really smart, high hockey IQ player. That’s really important in this league.”

Martone had a couple of looks with under five minutes left in regulation, but he couldn’t beat Korpisalo. Not long after denying Martone twice, Korpisalo turned away Tyson Foerster at the doorstep.

But Martone got Korpisalo in OT.

“For me, just every shift, come back to the bench and reset,” the 2025 sixth overall pick said. “The goalie made two good saves on those. I knew if I got another chance, hopefully it would go in.”

• The Flyers are back in action Tuesday when they visit the Devils (7 p.m. ET/NBCSP).