Rangers rally for shootout win over Penguins to snap losing streak

Vincent Trocheck's shootout goal lifts Rangers to 3-2 victory at Madison Square Garden

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:47am

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The New York Rangers snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 shootout win over the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers rallied from an early two-goal deficit, with Mika Zibanejad and Taylor Raddysh scoring in regulation to tie the game. Vincent Trocheck then scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give the Rangers the victory.

Why it matters

The win provides a much-needed morale boost for the struggling Rangers, who have won just 7 games at home this season. Head coach Mike Sullivan acknowledged the difficulty the team has faced, saying the players have had to navigate a lot of uncertainty with the upcoming trade deadline.

The details

The Rangers fell behind 2-0 early, but Zibanejad scored a power play goal in the second period to cut the deficit in half. Raddysh then tied the game at 2-2 early in the third period. After a scoreless overtime, Trocheck scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give the Rangers the victory.

  • The Rangers scored their first goal halfway through the second period.
  • Raddysh tied the game just under three minutes into the third period.
  • The shootout took place after a scoreless overtime period.

The players

Vincent Trocheck

The Rangers center scored the decisive goal in the shootout to give his team the victory.

Mika Zibanejad

The Rangers center scored a power play goal in the second period to cut the Penguins' lead in half.

Taylor Raddysh

The Rangers forward scored the game-tying goal early in the third period.

Mike Sullivan

The Penguins head coach acknowledged the difficulty his team and the Rangers have faced this season, particularly with the upcoming trade deadline.

Igor Shesterkin

The Rangers goaltender made key saves to keep his team in the game.

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What they’re saying

“We've already addressed the circumstance that we're in. I don't know that this week changes anything, based on what we've been dealing with the last three or four weeks. We've had conversations with the team and individuals around it, because it's our job to try to help them navigate through their own respective circumstances to try to help them be the best versions of themselves.”

— Mike Sullivan, Penguins Head Coach

“I have a sense that it's been really hard. It's been hard on all of us, but for those guys that have built up a history here, I can only imagine how it feels for them. None of us are where we want to be right now, but we are where we are. We're trying to do the best and make the best decisions moving forward.”

— Mike Sullivan, Penguins Head Coach

What’s next

The Rangers will look to build on this win as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Penguins will aim to regroup ahead of the trade deadline.

The takeaway

This victory provides a much-needed morale boost for the struggling Rangers, who have faced a difficult season both on and off the ice. The team's ability to rally from an early deficit and secure the win in a shootout could be a turning point as they look to turn their season around.