CALGARY, Alberta — Another desperate opponent, another disappointing defeat for the New York Rangers. For the second straight game, the Blueshirts handed over a much-needed victory to challengers struggling in the standings.
After falling in overtime to the previously winless San Jose Sharks earlier this week, the Rangers suffered a 5-1 loss to the Calgary Flames on Sunday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The Flames, who hadn’t won since their first game of the season, snapped an eight-game losing skid with the victory. Meanwhile, the Rangers dropped their third consecutive contest for the second time this season.
The worst reputation an NHL team can have is being “an easy game” on the schedule. Twice now this season, the Rangers have allowed teams struggling even more than they are to come in and get the win they desperately need. Both San Jose and Calgary, at one point ranked 32nd in the NHL, looked confident facing the Rangers — and the results showed on the ice.
Calgary entered Sunday’s game carrying a league-worst average of 1.67 goals per game, but within the first 10 minutes, they already put two goals past Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin. The Flames eventually set a new season high, scoring five goals in regulation against the Blueshirts.
The defensive discipline the Rangers displayed early in the season has all but vanished, and their offensive struggles continue. This was the sixth time in 10 games that the team has registered either one goal or none at all.
The Flames seized control early, scoring the first goal inside the two-minute mark for the second consecutive game. Nazem Kadri sniped a shot from the slot past Shesterkin, giving Calgary an early 1-0 lead. The Flames maintained puck possession through much of the opening period and extended their lead to 2-0 after Kevin Bahl connected on a shot from the top of the zone. Calgary peppered Shesterkin with 12 shots in the first 20 minutes.
Despite this pressure, the Rangers managed to get on the scoreboard before the end of the period. Noah Laba registered his first career NHL goal, driving to the net and burying a shot past Calgary netminder Dustin Wolf to cut the Flames’ lead in half.
In the second period, the Rangers outshot Calgary 13-11 but still struggled to find the back of the net. Yegor Sharangovich gave the Flames a 3-1 lead with a goal off the rush, beating Shesterkin with a shot he only managed to partially deflect.
The Flames added to their lead in the third period with a shorthanded goal, further compounding the Rangers’ woes. After Mika Zibanejad missed a chance on the power play, Calgary broke out on a two-on-one rush, which ended with Blake Coleman scoring, sealing the Flames’ convincing victory.
The Rangers will need to regain their defensive focus and find ways to boost their offense if they hope to turn their season around. Meanwhile, the Flames’ much-needed win could be a turning point for their struggling squad.
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https://nypost.com/2025/10/26/sports/rangers-hand-over-victory-to-nhl-worst-flames-for-third-straight-loss/