Igor Shesterkin made 28 saves and recorded an assist to lift the New York Rangers to a 4-2 victory over the Utah Mammoth on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at Madison Square Garden. The win marked the Rangers' third consecutive victory and their second home win of the season, following a scoreless opening game at home earlier in the season.
Third Period Decides Matchup
The Rangers secured the victory through a decisive third period, scoring twice to overcome a 1-1 tie. Gabe Perreault broke the deadlock at 3:15 of the third period when he pounced on a loose rebound from a pad save by Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka. Vejmelka, who made 18 saves during the contest, was unable to control the rebound after Alexis Lafrenière's shot, allowing Perreault to strike from inside the left circle.
J.T. Miller extended the lead to 3-1 at 12:47 of the third period. Miller scored after a shot from Vladislav Gavrikov redirected off Miller's skates while he was positioned at the net. Miller noted that frequent trips to the net are a consistent part of his game, stating, "I figure if you do it 10 times a game something will go off your foot. That's the way to beat teams."
Utah Struggles to Sustain Momentum
The Mammoth attempted to respond late in the game, but the Rangers' defense held firm. Andrew Peeke scored at 14:57 of the third period to bring Utah within one goal, making the score 3-2. However, Eeli Tolvanen closed out the game with an empty-net goal at 18:45, assisted by Will Cuylle and Shesterkin. Tolvanen's goal marked his third consecutive game with a goal.
Mammoth coach Andre Tourigny commented on the team's performance, noting that while the team doubled the Rangers in scoring chances during the first two periods, they failed to maintain momentum in the final frame. "Mentally we did not sustain in the third," Tourigny said. "We didn't stay patient. We forced it."
Emotional Return for Trocheck
The game featured a significant emotional moment for the New York crowd when Vincent Trocheck received a video tribute and an ovation. Trocheck, who played four seasons for the Rangers and recorded 89 goals and 253 points in 313 games, was traded to the Utah Mammoth on July 1. He was part of a deal that sent defenseman Sean Durzi, forward prospect Cole Beaudoin, and a 2027 third-round pick to New York.
New York's offense was also bolstered by Nick Schmaltz, who scored the Mammoth's first goal of the game on a power play in the second period, marking his fourth goal in three games. Volkov Gavrikov opened the scoring for the Rangers in the first period with a late shot from the point.
Injury and Team Discipline
The Rangers faced an early setback when center Joe Veleno sustained a lower-body injury midway through the first period. Veleno, whose leg became tangled with Clayton Keller near the New York bench, did not return to the game. Rangers coach Mike Sullivan stated that Veleno would be evaluated and further information would likely be available Monday.
Despite playing with 11 forwards for much of the match, the Rangers showed improved discipline. Sullivan credited the team's recent success to a focus on the 'next play mindset.' He noted that the team has been working on building a team game and staying focused regardless of the circumstances on the ice.
Looking Ahead
For the Utah Mammoth, the loss dropped their record to 2-1-0. The team was playing its second game on a back-to-back schedule after a victory in Columbus on Saturday. The Mammoth's next game is scheduled against New Jersey on Tuesday night.
For the New York Rangers, the victory moves them to a 3-1-0 record. The team's next game will be at home against the New York Islanders on Tuesday night.
Shesterkin's Historic Performance
Igor Shesterkin's performance on Sunday was historic, as he became the first Rangers goaltender to record points in consecutive starts since Connor Ingram did so for the Mammoth on Feb. 6-9, 2025. The goaltender's ability to contribute offensively, including an assist on Tolvanen's empty-netter, highlights the multifaceted role he played in the Rangers' victory.
