Rangers Pull Away From Lightning in 5-1 Season-Opening Loss

NEW YORK — The Tampa Bay Lightning opened the 2026-27 season Thursday night at Madison Square Garden, but instead of beginning the new campaign with a statement win, they found themselves chasing the New York Rangers almost from the opening faceoff.

New York scored twice in the first period, added two more goals in the second and eventually closed out a 5-1 victory in front of 18,006 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers controlled the game at both ends of the ice, while Tampa Bay struggled to generate sustained pressure and went scoreless on all seven of its power-play opportunities.

The Lightning’s night got off to a difficult start when J.J. Moser was called for holding just over five minutes into the game. New York immediately capitalized.

Pavel Dorofeyev’s shot hit the crossbar and the rebound came loose in the left circle, where Mika Zibanejad quickly snapped it past Andrei Vasilevskiy at 5:34. The goal gave the Rangers an early power-play advantage and, more importantly, established the tone of the night.

Tampa Bay had opportunities to answer, including a power play of its own, but the Lightning couldn’t convert. New York then doubled its advantage at 10:51 when Dorofeyev finished a rush opportunity after Oliver Bjorkstrand helped create the chance.

For Dorofeyev, acquired by the Rangers during the offseason, it was his first goal in a New York uniform. It also gave the Rangers a 2-0 advantage after one period despite Tampa Bay holding a 9-7 edge in shots.

The Rangers added to the lead only 1:40 into the second period. Eeli Tolvanen sent the puck toward the slot, where it took an unexpected deflection and found its way into the Tampa Bay net to make it 3-0.

The Lightning finally broke through at 7:59.

Nikita Kucherov put Tampa Bay on the scoreboard when a pass toward the middle took a deflection off a Rangers player and crossed the goal line. Brayden Point and Ilya Mikheyev received assists on the play, giving the Lightning a badly needed offensive spark.

That momentum, however, didn’t last.

Gabe Perreault restored New York’s three-goal advantage at 16:01 of the second, redirecting a shot in front to make it 4-1. Adam Fox and Zibanejad picked up assists, with both Rangers players finishing the night with multiple points.

Tampa Bay entered the third period needing an early goal to make the game competitive. Instead, New York’s defensive structure and Igor Shesterkin kept the Lightning from mounting a serious comeback.

The Lightning had nearly seven minutes of power-play time in the third period but could not solve Shesterkin. Tampa Bay managed only six shots during the final period, and even an extended six-on-four advantage after Vasilevskiy was pulled twice failed to produce another goal.

Then came the moment that will dominate the Rangers’ highlight reel for years.

With Vasilevskiy pulled for an extra attacker, Shesterkin sent the puck the length of the ice and into the empty net at 17:26.

It was the first goal ever scored by a Rangers goaltender.

The goal also made Shesterkin just the 18th goaltender in NHL history to officially score, while his 24 saves completed a memorable night in New York.

For Tampa Bay, Kucherov’s goal was one of the few offensive positives. Vasilevskiy finished with 20 saves, while Point recorded a goal and an assist. The Lightning ultimately finished with 25 shots, matching New York’s total, but the Rangers were far more effective at turning their opportunities into goals.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper focused afterward less on the final score than on how his team responded to adversity.

Cooper said the most troubling aspect was what he described as a lack of pushback, emphasizing that the competitive response has traditionally been an important part of the Lightning’s identity.

For New York, the victory provided an immediate response after the Rangers opened their season with a 3-0 loss in Boston. It also erased any concern about another slow offensive start at Madison Square Garden: New York scored before six minutes had elapsed and never allowed Tampa Bay to get back within one goal.

Zibanejad finished with a goal and an assist, Dorofeyev had a goal and an assist, Fox contributed two assists, and Tolvanen and Perreault each scored. Eight different Rangers players recorded at least one point.

The loss leaves Tampa Bay 0-1-0 to begin the season. The Lightning return home Saturday night for their 2026-27 home opener against the Washington Capitals, looking for a much different performance in front of their own fans.

By the Numbers

Final: New York Rangers 5, Tampa Bay Lightning 1
Shots: Tampa Bay 25, New York 25
Power Play: Tampa Bay 0-for-7; New York 1-for-2
Lightning Goal: Nikita Kucherov
Rangers Goals: Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Dorofeyev, Eeli Tolvanen, Gabe Perreault, Igor Shesterkin
Tampa Bay Goaltender: Andrei Vasilevskiy — 20 saves
New York Goaltender: Igor Shesterkin — 24 saves, one goal
Attendance: 18,006
Venue: Madison Square Garden