🗽 From Presidents to Pride: Rangers Shut Out Lightning in 4–0 Season Finale at MSG
They may not be heading to the playoffs, but the New York Rangers proved in their final game of the season that pride still matters.
In front of a lively Madison Square Garden crowd, the Rangers played their best hockey in weeks to blank the Tampa Bay Lightning 4–0 on Thursday night. Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves to record his sixth shutout of the season, while Mika Zibanejad scored twice and added an assist in a commanding performance from the home side.
For the Lightning, who had already clinched second place in the Atlantic Division, the match was more about preservation than points. Rested stars and cautious play defined their approach, as coach Jon Cooper’s squad prepared for a playoff showdown with the Florida Panthers next week.
Still, that didn’t dampen the Rangers’ fire.
⚡ Lightning Off, Rangers On
This matchup was pegged as a possible Tampa tune-up. Instead, it turned into a Rangers showcase.
Vincent Trocheck opened the scoring early in the second period with a shorthanded strike—his sixth of the season and fourth in the last nine games. It was a fitting capstone for a team that led the league in shorthanded goals (18), and for Trocheck, who finishes tied with Buffalo’s Alex Tuch for the NHL lead in shorties.
Chris Kreider made it 2–0 in the third, scoring with a precise wrister after his initial attempt was blocked. Zibanejad followed with a pair of goals—first a thunderous one-timer from the left circle, then a tip-in on a Kreider shot—to close out the scoring and his season with 20 goals.
Despite missing the playoffs just a season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Rangers showed resilience and unity in their finale. “It’s way more fun to leave the rink having won the last game than playing poorly and gotten killed out there,” Zibanejad said postgame. “It was the best way you could end a season like this.”
🧤 Shesterkin Steals the Spotlight
While the offence clicked, it was Igor Shesterkin who gave the home crowd something truly special. The 27-save shutout—his sixth of the season—was vintage Shesterkin. He stopped a number of sharp-angle shots and power-play chances from Tampa, flashing his glove and composure throughout.
With his defence limiting high-danger opportunities and the Rangers controlling the puck for long stretches, Shesterkin looked calm, confident, and dialled in.
He may not be playing in the postseason this year, but performances like this cement his status as one of the game’s elite goaltenders.
⚙️ Tampa Bay Treads Carefully
Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper made no secret of the team’s cautious approach heading into the game. Ice times were reduced across the board: Kucherov played a season-low 13:43, while Hedman, McDonagh, Hagel, and Guentzel also posted their lowest totals of the year.
That careful load management became especially important when Kucherov took a knock to the face from teammate J.J. Moser early in the second period. Though he returned to action, the league’s leading scorer clearly played within himself for the remainder of the night.
Tampa’s performance lacked its usual edge—unsurprising given their eyes are now firmly fixed on a first-round clash with the Florida Panthers. “There’s nothing Paul [Maurice] doesn’t know about us, and nothing we don’t know about them,” Cooper said. “This one’s going to be fun.”
🎯 How the Bets Played Out
Over at America Bet, the original match preview leaned heavily towards a Lightning win—understandable given their recent form and playoff status. But this was a game full of surprises:
❌ Tampa Bay Lightning to win – Missed, as New York came out flying.
❌ Over 5.5 total goals – Missed; just four goals on the board.
❌ Kucherov to record 2+ points – Missed, due to reduced ice time and injury.
✅ Zibanejad to score anytime – Hit, and then some—he bagged two!
❌ Rangers under 2.5 goals – Missed big; they scored 4.
✅ Rangers to win by 1+ goal – Hit, if selected.
Although several props fell flat, Zibanejad as a goalscorer was a standout hit for bettors, while those backing a Rangers win at plus odds enjoyed a strong return.
🎭 Final Act on Broadway
The Rangers’ 39–36–7 record won’t satisfy a franchise that expected much more after last season’s highs. But finishing with a dominant win over a playoff-bound Lightning team provided a taste of what this group is capable of when everything clicks.
Youngsters like J.T. Miller and Kaapo Kakko looked composed, and the team’s core—Zibanejad, Kreider, Shesterkin—proved their enduring value. The off-season will no doubt bring questions, but for one night, the Garden rocked.
For Tampa Bay, a new chapter begins next week. The “Battle of Florida” returns for the third time in four years, and with Kucherov healthy, Guentzel in form, and Point rested, the Lightning will enter the postseason as formidable contenders once again.
