Rangers Aim to Recharge During Olympic Break

Players welcome the chance to reset physically and mentally after a tough first half of the season.

Feb. 20, 2026 at 5:31pm

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The New York Rangers are looking to use the three-week Olympic break to their advantage, as the team has struggled through the first half of the season. Players like Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann are glad to have the time off to rest their bodies and minds, and hope the break will allow them to approach the final 25 games of the season with a fresh perspective. Key injured players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin were also able to practice with the team, providing optimism as the Rangers prepare to resume play against the Flyers.

Why it matters

The Rangers have had a disappointing first half, winning just 3 of their last 18 games and falling to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. The Olympic break provides a much-needed reset, both physically and mentally, for a team that has dealt with injuries and inconsistent play. If the Rangers can come back refreshed, it could help them turn things around in the final stretch of the season.

The details

The Rangers held their first practice since the Olympic break on Tuesday, with players like Cuylle and Othmann saying the time off was beneficial. Cuylle cited issues with "execution, speed, and playing with more passion" as factors in the team's struggles, and believes the break can help address those problems. Notably, key players like Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin, who had been dealing with lower-body injuries, were able to participate in full-contact drills, providing a positive sign ahead of the season's resumption.

  • The Rangers' last game before the Olympic break was a 2-0 loss to the Hurricanes on February 12, 2026.
  • The Rangers will resume the season on February 26, 2026 against the Flyers.

The players

Will Cuylle

A Rangers forward who spent part of the Olympic break at home in Toronto.

Brennan Othmann

A Rangers forward who split time between Florida and his home in Ontario during the break.

Adam Fox

A Rangers defenseman who was able to practice with the team after suffering a lower-body injury.

Igor Shesterkin

The Rangers' starting goaltender, who also returned to practice after a lower-body injury.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, it was definitely good. I think in any long season, it's good to have a break. It can be hard on your body. Eighty-two games is a lot of games. So you just try to reset and come back fresh.”

— Will Cuylle

“I think it's just been an up-and-down year for everybody. At the start of the year, I don't think anyone really figured we would be in this position, but I think it's good just to kind of get away and reset and not worry about where we were at and everything. It's almost like a fresh season right now and hopefully we can turn all these negatives, you want to call it, and turn them into positives after this little break.”

— Brennan Othmann

What’s next

The Rangers will resume the season on February 26, 2026 with a home game against the Flyers, kicking off a four-game homestand.

The takeaway

The Rangers are hoping the Olympic break will provide a much-needed reset, both physically and mentally, for a team that has struggled through the first half of the season. If key injured players like Fox and Shesterkin can return healthy, and the rest of the roster can come back refreshed, it could give the Rangers a chance to turn things around in the final stretch of the season.