NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Rangers finally broke their losing streak with a thrilling 5-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Jonny Brodzinski was the star of the night, scoring two crucial goals, including the decisive one late in the game.
Brodzinski rifled his ninth goal of the season past Canucks netminder Kevin Lankinen at 15:47 of the third period, putting the Rangers ahead just 37 seconds after Brock Boeser had tied the game for Vancouver. The Rangers had been struggling, coming into this match after losses to Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto, and they were eager to turn things around.
Igor Shesterkin secured the win for New York, making an impressive 36 saves throughout the match. His performance was particularly crucial as he had not won at home since March 3.
The Rangers initially fell behind when Dakota Joshua opened the scoring for the Canucks at 11:51 of the first period, jamming a loose puck past Shesterkin. In an uneven first period, the Rangers were outshot 11-1, leading to frustrated boos from the home crowd.
New York's season has been a mixed bag so far, showing a 3-5-2 record in their last ten games. They find themselves fighting for a spot in the wild-card playoff race as the season progresses.
The Canucks fought fiercely as well, taking a 13-5 shots advantage in the second period. However, the Rangers managed to even the score at 11:03 when Adam Fox tied the game, with an assist from rookie Brennan Othmann, marking Othmann's first NHL point.
The excitement continued in the third period when Brodzinski scored his first goal just 1:39 in, but the Canucks answered back with Drew O'Connor tying the game again at 11:22. The back-and-forth continued until K’Andre Miller scored to put the Rangers back up at 3-2 at 12:40, providing a crucial lead for New York.
Former Canuck J.T. Miller capped off the Rangers' scoring with an empty-net goal, solidifying the victory. The final score of 5-3 was a much-needed boost for the Rangers, especially after their recent challenges on the ice.
This game also featured an emotional moment for the Rangers as they honored Hall of Fame play-by-play announcer Sam Rosen, who is retiring after more than 40 years with the franchise. Rosen was celebrated on Madison Square Garden ice alongside his family and former colleagues, a fitting tribute to a beloved voice of the team.
Looking ahead, the Rangers are set to face the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday, while the Canucks will visit the New Jersey Devils on Monday. Both teams hope to build on this game as the season continues to unfold.
