Rangers Defeat Ducks 5-2 at Madison Square Garden

What we said beforehand

The New York Rangers will face off against the Anaheim Ducks at Madison Square Garden on October 19, 2026. This matchup is particularly intriguing as both teams are looking to turn around their recent performances. The Rangers currently hold a home record of 6-3-1, while the Ducks come into this game with an away record of 4-3-0.

The Rangers have had a mixed bag in their last five games, recording two wins and three losses. Their most recent results include a loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where they fell 1-0 in overtime, and a heavy defeat against the New Jersey Devils, losing 7-1. However, they did secure victories against the Vancouver Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring 6-2 and 4-1, respectively. Over their last five games, the Rangers have averaged 2.4 goals scored per game while allowing 2.8 goals.

On the other hand, the Ducks have also struggled recently, with a record of 2-3 in their last five outings. Their latest game ended in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, following another defeat by the Calgary Flames by the same score. Prior to that, they managed to defeat the Flames 4-2 and the Winnipeg Jets 5-1. The Ducks have averaged 3.0 goals scored per game over their last five, while allowing 3.2 goals.

When it comes to home versus away performance, the Rangers have been stronger at Madison Square Garden, boasting a home record of 5-0 in their last five games, with an average of 2.8 goals scored and 2.2 allowed. In contrast, the Ducks have struggled on the road, with a record of 1-4 in their last five away games.

In terms of previous meetings, the Rangers have faced the Ducks twice this season, losing both encounters. Their most recent meeting on January 20, 2026, resulted in a 5-3 defeat for the Rangers, while they also lost 4-1 at home on December 16, 2025. This history adds an extra layer of motivation for the Rangers as they seek to break their losing streak against the Ducks.

Injuries could play a significant role in this matchup. The Rangers will be without key players Igor Shesterkin, Joe Veleno, Joonas Korpisalo, Aidan Thompson, and Adam Sykora, all of whom are on injured reserve. The Ducks are also dealing with injuries, missing Ian Moore, Ryan Poehling, and Troy Terry, all of whom are on injured reserve as well.

The betting market has priced the Rangers as favorites, with DraftKings listing the moneyline at -155 for New York and +130 for Anaheim. The spread is set at -1.5, with a total of 6.5 goals for the game, reflecting expectations for a competitive matchup.

As the game approaches, viewers should watch for how the Rangers adapt to their injury situation, particularly in goal, and how the Ducks respond to their own injury challenges. The performance of key players like Alexis Lafreniere, who leads the Rangers with 7 goals and 11 points, and Leo Carlsson, who leads the Ducks with 9 points, will also be crucial in determining the outcome of this exciting NHL fixture.