Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers: did Mackie Samoskevich’s third-period strike crack Madison Square Garden, or did Igor Shesterkin shut the door?

The Florida Panthers moved to 35-35-3 with 1 point after a 3-1 setback to the New York Rangers, who entered at 30-35-9 with 3 points, at Madison Square Garden.

First period

The Panthers opened with 27 shots in the game while the Rangers finished with 21 shots.

The Cats were held scoreless in the first period as the Blueshirts also posted 0 goals in the opening period.

Florida’s team total included 15 hits while New York logged 24 hits.

Second period

The Panthers went 0-for-3 on the power play with 6 shots on those chances.

The Rangers finished 0-for-1 on their power play with 1 shot during that opportunity.

Florida’s penalty ledger showed 7 penalty minutes compared to New York’s 11 penalty minutes.

Third period

Mackie Samoskevich scored the Panthers’ only goal in the third period, and he finished with 1 goal on 2 shots for a 50 percent shooting rate.

Florida’s goaltending line from Sergei Bobrovsky showed 18 saves on 20 shots against with 2 goals against.

The Rangers produced 3 goals in the third period, including 1 empty-net goal, as the Broadway Blues took the game.

Igor Shesterkin anchored New York with 26 saves on 27 shots against while earning the win, and the game’s stars list also included Conor Sheary and Adam Fox.

The Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers final score settled at 3-1, and the night’s Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers highlights hinged on New York’s third-period surge.

Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers result analysis begins with New York’s 62 percent faceoff rate compared to Florida’s 38 percent mark, alongside the Rangers’ 21 blocked shots to Florida’s 10 blocked shots.

Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers final thoughts turn next to the Cats hosting the Ottawa Senators at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on 3/31/2026 at 7:00 PM EDT, with the broadcast available on ESPN+ and SCRIPPS.

Stick with the Panthers’ stretch run coverage and share this article with fellow fans discussing the Cats and the Broadway Blues.