Sports · NEWS EXPLAINER
Rangers score three in third period to beat Mammoth 4-2
Perreault broke the third-period tie, Miller extended the lead and Tolvanen added an empty-net goal. Shesterkin made 28 saves in New York's third straight win.
The New York Rangers turned a 1–1 game into a 4–2 win over the Utah Mammoth with three third-period goals at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, October 4. Igor Shesterkin made 28 saves and assisted on the empty-net finish as New York won its third straight game.
How New York broke the tie
Vladislav Gavrikov scored in the first period, and Nick Schmaltz tied it on a second-period power play. Gabe Perreault restored New York's lead at 3:15 of the third by converting a rebound.
J.T. Miller redirected Gavrikov's shot at 12:47 for a 3–1 lead. Andrew Peeke answered at 14:57, but Eeli Tolvanen scored into an empty net at 18:45. Those third-period times are elapsed.
An assist from the crease
Shesterkin helped start the final scoring play with a long pass to Will Cuylle, who set up Tolvanen. The goaltender's contribution here was an assist alongside his saves.
Utah goalie Karel Vejmelka made 18 saves. The empty-net goal matters when reading the result: New York scored four times, but only three goals went past the Mammoth's goaltender.
Why Utah's defensive execution mattered
The NHL's final summary lists shots as Utah 30, New York 22. Deseret News reported that the Mammoth nevertheless allowed repeated odd-man rushes, leaving Vejmelka to stop several dangerous chances.
Utah coach André Tourigny, quoted by Deseret News, said that impatience and forced plays were preventing his team from recovering its defensive position quickly enough. His explanation focused on defensive execution. Shot totals count attempts on target; they do not show whether a goaltender faced a clean look, a breakaway or a crowded crease.
A third win, with the Islanders next
New York improved to 3–1–0, while Utah fell to 2–1–0. The Rangers' streak follows their opening-night loss to Boston, whose three late goals decided a previously scoreless game.
The Rangers next host the New York Islanders on Tuesday; Utah visits New Jersey the same night. New York will try to sustain its finishing, while Utah has defensive breakdowns to address.
