Rangers blanked by Bruins in slow start to supersized season

· New York Post

BOSTON – For the second straight year, the Rangers were shutout on Opening Night. 

While it was a scoreless affair at TD Garden until late in the third period, the Bruins broke through with two quick goals – as well as one empty-netter – to take a 3-0 win over the Blueshirts in the first of 84 games this season. 

The shortened preseason was apparent in the Rangers-Bruins game, as well as across the NHL’s five matchups. 

ruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) makes a save on New York Rangers center Noah Laba (42) while defenseman Mason Lohrei (6) defends. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Not only did it take until the 16:14 mark of the third period for the Bruins to open the scoring, but there was also only one goal scored by the Panthers in overtime in their highly anticipated meeting with the 2026 Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes in Raleigh. 

Despite generating nearly the same number of shots as the Bruins, the Rangers bled odd-man rushes through the first two periods. Star goalie Igor Shesterkin had to bail the team out on numerous occasions, whether it was a 2-on-1 opportunity or an uncontested breakaway. 

Bruins’ Morgan Geekie (39) lines up a shot against New York Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin (31) during the first period. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
JJ Peterka (10) of the Boston Bruins skates against Adam Fox (23) and Mika Zibanejad (93) of the New York Rangers at TD Garden in Boston, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. NHLI via Getty Images

Shesterkin ultimately finished with 20 saves. 

The third period saw the Blueshirts not only tighten up their defensive positioning, but also make a significant push offensively early on. They unloaded five consecutive shots to open the frame and had a significant edge for much of the period.

Once Fraser Minten scored from the high slot, however, the floodgates opened.