Rangers vs. Lightning: Lineups, storylines eyeing another win in MSG matinee

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Rangers vs. Lightning: Lineups, storylines eyeing another win in MSG matinee

Rangers vs. Lightning: Lineups, storylines eyeing another win in MSG matinee — Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Jim Cerny · Forever Blueshirts

Sat, Nov 29, 2025 ·

5 min read

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A pair of streaking teams clash in a Madison Square Garden matinee on Saturday afternoon, when the New York Rangers host the Tampa Bay Lightning .

The Rangers (13-11-2) won their past three games, including a 6-2 road victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday. It's their third three-game winning streak this season; they've yet to win four in a row.

"It's not perfect by any stretch, but certainly our intentions are in the right spot," coach Mike Sullivan said postgame Friday. "I think our execution can continue to improve, just getting a little bit sharper with our puck-possession game, but I think the guys are buying into the game that we're trying to play as a team."

But the Rangers face an even hotter team Saturday. The Lightning (15-7-2) own a season-high six-game winning streak, following their 6-3 road victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. They also won five straight games earlier in the season, and enter play Saturday sitting atop the Atlantic Division with 32 points.

So, yes, the Rangers have a big challenge ahead of them. But their confidence is running high after dispatching the St. Louis Blues , Carolina Hurricanes , and Bruins already this week. The Rangers outscored those teams 13-6, after racking up six goals for the fourth time this season Friday. That ties them for the second-most such games in the NHL.

That the Rangers did so against an injury-depleted Bruins lineup doesn't phase Sullivan at all. Boston played without injured stars David Pastrnak , Pavel Zacha , and Charlie McAvoy .

"Certainly it's an opportunity that you have to take advantage of when it presents itself," Sullivan said.

Similarly, the Lightning are beat up on the back end. Their top three defensemen, each a two-time Stanley Cup winner — Victor Hedman , Ryan McDonagh , and Erik Cernak — are on injured reserve. The Rangers scored a season-high seven goals in their first meeting this season against the Lightning on Nov. 12 down in Tampa , when Hedman and McDonagh each was out of the home team's lineup.

3 storylines when Rangers host Lightning

NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers — Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

1. Time to become homers

Beginning Saturday, the Rangers schedule gets very home heavy. Sixteen of their first 26 games were played on the road. But the Rangers play seven of their next nine games at The Garden. So, it's time to become homers. Finally.

The Rangers woes at MSG are well documented. They're a League-worst 2-7-1 at home, and had a historic goal drought to begin the season at The Garden. They did win two of their past three home games, so perhaps the tide is turning.

But to be a serious playoff contender, the Rangers are well aware that they must build a home-ice advantage, preferably sooner rather than later.

2. Raddysh reunion

NHL: New York Rangers at Vegas Golden Knights — Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

With all the injuries on the Tampa Bay blue line, defenseman Darren Raddysh assumed more responsibility and plenty more ice time. And he's thrived in the bigger role.

Raddysh had a goal and two assists Friday and logged 24:04 TOI. That's his second three-point game in his past six contests; and he's totaled 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in the past seven games. Raddysh did record 37 points last season and 33 the year before, but that doesn't diminish how much he's stepped up for the Lightning in this recent stretch when they needed him to do so.

The 29-year-old is the older brother of Rangers forward Taylor Raddysh , who's 27. Neither of the siblings recorded a point in the first meeting between the Rangers and Lightning this season. Taylor, who began his pro career with the Lightning, has five goals for the Rangers, including a hat trick against the San Jose Sharks on Oct. 23. However, he hasn't scored a goal in his past 14 games, and has just two assists in that span.

3. More Igor?

Typically, the Rangers split up the goaltending duties for a back-to-back set. But with Jonathan Quick on IR with a lower-body injury, Igor Shesterkin could start on consecutive afternoons.

Sullivan insinuated as much earlier in the week, when asked if rookie backup Dylan Garand might make his first NHL start during this busy stretch. But the coach was bit more coy after the game in Boston.

"I might," Sullivan answered when asked if he could give Garand the start.

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

Shesterkin started and won each of the past three games, but wasn't exactly overworked against the Blues or Bruins, though faced a stiffer test in the game Wednesday against the Hurricanes. He's won six of his past eight starts, and allowed two goals or fewer a League-high 12 times.

It feels like Shesterkin gets this start against the high-octane Lightning, who are the seventh-highest scoring team in the League, averaging 3.33 goals per game. But we won't know for sure until Saturday afternoon.