Panthers' Tkachuk Shines as Rangers Debut Young Talent

Both teams look to end seasons on a high note with key player performances.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:25am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Florida Panthers and New York Rangers, both out of playoff contention, will face off on Sunday with different goals in mind. The Panthers want to see more strong play from star forward Matthew Tkachuk, who has been a bright spot since returning from injury. Meanwhile, the Rangers are giving opportunities to some of their young call-ups from the minors, who made an impact in a recent win over the Blackhawks.

Why it matters

While the playoff race is no longer a factor, these final games allow both teams to evaluate their rosters and build momentum heading into the offseason. Tkachuk's continued strong play is crucial for the Panthers' future, while the Rangers are hoping their young prospects can prove they belong at the NHL level.

The details

Tkachuk, who missed the first 47 games of the season due to injury, has been on a tear since returning, notching 12 goals and 27 points in 25 games. He scored the first two goals in the Panthers' 5-2 loss to the Islanders on Saturday. The Rangers, meanwhile, have been working in several call-ups from their AHL affiliate, including Gabe Perreault, Jaroslav Chmelar, Adam Sykora, Drew Fortescue and goalie Dylan Garand. In Friday's 6-1 win over the Blackhawks, Sykora scored his first NHL goal, Fortescue recorded his first career point, and Garand earned his first NHL win.

  • The Panthers and Rangers will face off on Sunday afternoon in New York.
  • Tkachuk made his season debut on Jan. 19 after missing the first 47 games.
  • The Rangers' recent call-ups have been making an impact over the past few weeks.

The players

Matthew Tkachuk

A star forward for the Florida Panthers who has been a bright spot since returning from injury, scoring 12 goals and 27 points in 25 games.

Gabe Perreault

A Rangers prospect who joined the NHL lineup on a regular basis on Dec. 18 after appearing in five games last season.

Jaroslav Chmelar

A Rangers prospect who recorded his first career assist in Friday's 6-1 win over the Blackhawks in his NHL debut.

Adam Sykora

A Rangers prospect who scored his first career NHL goal in Friday's win over the Blackhawks.

Drew Fortescue

A Rangers prospect who made his NHL debut and recorded his first career point in Friday's win over the Blackhawks.

Dylan Garand

A Rangers prospect goaltender who earned his first career NHL win in Friday's 6-1 victory over the Blackhawks.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Nobody's quitting here. The third period was definitely better than the second. We could have definitely thrown in the towel, and we didn't.”

— Matthew Tkachuk

“You never really know if a player is going to have success at the NHL level. We can predict all we want, whether a player is going to succeed but you never really know. You put him in there and you see how he does.”

— Mike Sullivan, Rangers Coach

What’s next

The Panthers and Rangers will face off on Sunday afternoon, with both teams looking to end their seasons on a positive note. The continued strong play of Matthew Tkachuk will be crucial for the Panthers, while the Rangers will be hoping their young prospects can build on their recent success.

The takeaway

While the Panthers and Rangers have been eliminated from playoff contention, these final games provide an opportunity for both teams to evaluate their rosters and build momentum heading into the offseason. Tkachuk's continued dominance is a bright spot for the Panthers, while the Rangers are giving their young call-ups a chance to prove they belong at the NHL level.