March 12, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; New York Rangers goalkeeper Igor Shesterkin (31) is congratulated by defenseman Will Bogen (17) after winning the game against the Winnipeg Jets at the end of the third period at the Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: Terrence Lee-Imagn Image The New York Rangers have the fewest points of any NHL Eastern Conference team, but are starting to play better.
New York has won three straight and four of its last five games. The Rangers will look to continue their hot streak when they face the Minnesota Wild on Saturday evening in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said the win was meaningful even though the team’s chances of making the postseason are very slim.
“I think this is important,” Sullivan said. “We’re going to try to win the one game in front of us and see where that takes us. We’re trying to build a team game, we’re trying to build an identity with consistent play and attention to detail.
“I think the biggest thing is trying to create a team game where everyone has to understand what that looks like. … I think we’re gaining traction there with the way we’re playing the game now. I think people are buying in, playing hard and having a lot of fun.”
The stakes are higher for the Wild as they hope to prepare for a deep playoff run with a comfortable third-place finish in the Central Division.
Minnesota lost 3-2 against the Philadelphia Flyers, but the Wild have scored at least one point in their last five games (3-0-2).
Wild forward Bobby Brink has not played in recent games due to an upper-body injury. His status Saturday is uncertain. The team acquired Brink from the Philadelphia Flyers before the trade deadline, and he has scored one goal in three games since joining Minnesota.
“He’s feeling better every day,” Wild coach John Hines said. “I don’t know what his availability will be (Saturday), but this is not a long-term thing.”
Saturday’s contest will be Wild captain Jared Spurgeon’s 1,000th career game. The 36-year-old has scored 434 points (123 goals, 311 assists) his entire career in Minnesota since making his debut on November 29, 2010.
“There’s a reason he’s the captain,” Hynes said. “He’s a really great human being. He’s a great player, but he cares about the people, the team, the organization. He treats everyone the same. Whether you talk to (general manager) Billy Guerin or (team owner) Craig Leopold or anyone else in the organization, he’s the same guy. I think that makes him a great captain.”
The Rangers could start Igor Shesterkin or Jonathan Quick in net.
Shesterkin is 21-12-6, 2.50 goals-against average, and .912 save percentage, while Quick is 5-15-2, 3.05 GAA, and .892 save percentage. Shesterkin is 4-2-0, 2.80 GAA, and .908 save percentage in six games with Minnesota, while Quick is 17-11-8, 2.59 GAA, and .904 save percentage in 36 games.
Wild goalscorer Filip Gustavsson is likely to start. He posted a 24-10-6 record, a 2.46 GAA, and a .913 save percentage. His career numbers against the Rangers include a 1-1-2 record with a 3.39 GAA and .893 save percentage in five games.
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