Panthers Defeat Rangers 3-1 at Madison Square Garden

The New York Rangers faced a harsh reality check as they lost 3-1 to the Florida Panthers, ending their franchise-record six-game point streak to start the season. Florida, the defending Stanley Cup champions, opened the scoring just 44 seconds into the game and quickly extended their lead, with goals from Anton Lundell, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Bennett. Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves, while Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky achieved his 400th career win with 24 saves. The loss marked the first time this season the Rangers failed to score at least four goals, highlighting their struggle against a more disciplined and opportunistic Panthers team. Rangers defenseman Adam Fox noted their sloppiness throughout the game, reflecting on their inability to match Florida's intensity. This matchup served as a reminder that even strong starts can quickly be overshadowed by formidable opponents.