Rangers vs. Buffalo: New Year, Same Blueshirts
They played well, controlled the third, and still lost—which might be the most honest outcome of all. Another night of flashes, no finish, and a clearer picture of what this season is.
- I tweeted this out last night after the game was over, and I will repeat it again here:
The sad, but honest, truth is the more the Rangers lose the better. Beat the idea that this team is worth anything out of their brains. Sell. Build a team worth something. Profit
— Joe Fortunato (@JoeFortunatoBSB) January 9, 2026
- To be fair, in a lot of ways that was one of the best games the New York Rangers have played in some respects. They largely dominated Buffalo in the third period, outshooting them 10-0 to start the period, but just couldn't—are you sitting down for this?—find a goal. Even on a four-minute power play with a little over five minutes left. That horrible pass by Alexis Lafrenière may have instigated the back-breaking shorthanded goal, but the Rangers weren't doing anything on the power play anyway.
In truth Buffalo had the Rangers right where they wanted them by giving them a four minute power play down a goal with 5 minutes left
— Joe Fortunato (@JoeFortunatoBSB) January 9, 2026
- The Rangers held Buffalo to four shots in the first period and three in the third. It seemed like it was a reverse game for the Rangers, who put up a whopping 14 shots in the third period. Doesn't matter, but still, sort of nice to see.
