Rangers Upset Lightning in Season Finale

New York ends last-place campaign with surprise win over playoff-bound Tampa Bay

Apr. 16, 2026 at 5:58am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.The Rangers' surprise win over the playoff-bound Lightning showcases the unpredictability of the NHL, where even the league's bottom-dwellers can topple the elite.NYC Today

The New York Rangers, who finished the season in last place in their division, pulled off a surprise 4-2 victory over the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Lightning in their final game of the year. Tye Kartye led the way for the Rangers, scoring the first two goals of the game and finishing with three points.

Why it matters

The Rangers' upset win over the Lightning, one of the top teams in the league, provides a positive note for the team to end their disappointing season on. While they missed the playoffs, the victory could give the Rangers momentum and confidence heading into the offseason as they look to rebound next year.

The details

Tye Kartye opened the scoring for the Rangers, netting the first two goals of the game. The Rangers then added two more goals to take a 4-2 lead, which they were able to hold onto for the victory over the Lightning, who had already clinched a playoff spot.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Tye Kartye

A Rangers forward who scored the first two goals of the game and finished with three points.

New York Rangers

The NHL team that finished the season in last place in their division but pulled off an upset win over the playoff-bound Tampa Bay Lightning in their final game.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The NHL team that had already clinched a playoff spot but lost to the last-place Rangers in their final regular season game.

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What they’re saying

“It was a great way to end the season on a high note and give our fans something to be excited about heading into the offseason.”

— Tye Kartye, Rangers Forward

The takeaway

The Rangers' upset victory over the Lightning shows that even the league's bottom-feeders can pull off surprising wins against the top teams on any given night, providing hope for the future despite a disappointing season.