Rangers beat Panthers in duel far from 2024 playoff clash

Shorthanded Panthers fall to Rangers in meaningless late-season matchup between struggling teams

Mar. 29, 2026 at 7:52pm

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The New York Rangers defeated the Florida Panthers 3-1 in a Sunday afternoon matchup that was a far cry from their epic 2024 Eastern Conference Final clash. With both teams now ranked near the bottom of the conference standings, the game featured a much different dynamic than their previous playoff showdown, which saw the Panthers eventually advance to win the Stanley Cup. In this latest meeting, the Rangers received strong goaltending from Igor Shesterkin and got goals from Adam Sykora, Conor Sheary, and Adam Fox to secure the victory.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the drastic changes both the Rangers and Panthers have undergone since their 2024 playoff series. Once fierce rivals competing for a chance at the Stanley Cup, the two teams are now struggling near the bottom of the standings, a far cry from their previous heights. The outcome raises questions about the long-term futures of both franchises and whether they can recapture their past glory.

The details

The Rangers opened the scoring in the third period when rookie Adam Sykora tipped in a shot from Adam Fox. Conor Sheary then doubled the Rangers' lead before Fox added an empty-net goal to seal the 3-1 victory. The Rangers were led by a 27-save performance from goaltender Igor Shesterkin, while the Panthers were missing several key injured players including Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart.

  • The Rangers and Panthers last met in the 2024 Eastern Conference Final, just under 22 months ago.
  • The Rangers and Panthers will face off one more time this season on April 13 in Sunrise, Florida.

The players

Igor Shesterkin

The Rangers' starting goaltender, who made 27 saves in the win.

Adam Sykora

A Rangers rookie who scored the opening goal in the third period.

Aleksander Barkov

The Panthers' star center who missed the game due to injury.

Sam Reinhart

A key Panthers forward who was also sidelined with an injury.

Adam Fox

The Rangers defenseman who recorded a goal and an assist in the win.

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What they’re saying

“We have to find a way to get healthy and get back to playing the kind of hockey we know we're capable of. This is a tough stretch, but we'll keep fighting.”

— Aleksander Barkov, Panthers Captain

What’s next

The Rangers and Panthers will meet one more time this season on April 13 in Sunrise, Florida, in what could be a preview of their offseason plans and roster moves as both teams look to rebound from disappointing campaigns.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Rangers and Panthers highlighted the drastic changes both franchises have undergone since their epic 2024 playoff clash. Once fierce rivals competing for a chance at the Stanley Cup, the two teams are now struggling near the bottom of the standings, raising questions about their long-term futures and whether they can recapture their past glory.