Rink Rap | A New York Rangers Podcast from Forever Blueshirts

Oh yes...a goalie fight! Jim recaps Igor Shesterkin's big brawl and previews the rest of the show.

The great Marty Biron joins Jim to talk about the excitement around the Sheshterkin goalie fight and offers thoughts on Rangers future and the NHL playoffs.

Jim talks about our LIVE recording from Mustang Harry's this Saturday between the Rangers and Sirens games at MSG!

The New York Rangers hit a new low — just 10 shots on goal in a loss to Ottawa, on the same night they honored Mika Zibanejad's 1,000th NHL game. Jim Cerney breaks it all down on this week's Rink Rap from Forever Blue Shirts.

Then, Nick Alberga from Leafs Nation and NHL Network Radio joins to tackle the big question: Who's the bigger disappointment this season — the Rangers or the Toronto Maple Leafs? And more importantly, which franchise can flip things around faster this offseason?

Plus: Dylan Garand's impressive NHL debut, Drew Fortescue signing his entry-level contract, Adam Sikora's recall, the draft lottery picture, and whether the Rangers should be rooting against themselves down the stretch.

🎙️ Guest: Nick Alberga (@TheGoldenMuzzy) — Leafs Nation / NHL Network Radio

📅 Live Event Alert: We're planning a live broadcast from Mustang Harry's in NYC on April 4th — between the Rangers afternoon game and the NY Sirens' first-ever PWHL game at Madison Square Garden. Details coming soon!

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📰 Full coverage at: foreverblueShirts.com 🐦 Follow Jim: @JimCerney on X 🐦 Follow Nick: @TheGoldenMuzzy on X

Chapters:

00:00 - Intro / Welcome back 

00:16 - Jim's West Coast trip to Palm Springs 

02:00 - Joshua Tree National Park & long winter recap 

02:52 - Thanks to Lou Orlando for filling in 

03:09 - Introducing today's guest: Nick Alberga 

04:09 - Segment 1: Rangers news & quick hits 

06:01 - Rangers Centennial season ceremonies 

07:27 - Mika Zibanejad's 1,000th NHL game celebration 

09:28 - Rangers' dismal effort vs. Ottawa (Centennial night faceplant) 

11:54 - Just 10 shots on goal — near-record futility 

13:22 - Dave Maloney goes off on MSG Network 

15:31 - Fans rooting for Rangers to LOSE (tankathon mode) 

16:53 - Draft lottery picture: Rangers tied for 2nd-worst record 

17:43 - Igor Shesterkin's strong play since return from injury 

18:40 - Dylan Garand's NHL debut breakdown 

20:00 - Dylan Garand vs. Jonathan Quick going forward 

21:20 - Adam Sykora recalled from Hartford 

22:49 - Drew Fortescue signs entry-level deal 

25:52 - Rangers' final three weeks: what matters 

27:37 - Segment 2: Nick Alberga joins — Rangers vs. Leafs disappointment debate 

28:10 - Who's the bigger disappointment: Rangers or Maple Leafs? 

30:33 - Austin Matthews under fire in Toronto 

32:50 - JT Miller as Rangers captain: has it worked? 

34:00 - Nick's take on JT Miller's history of being moved 

36:59 - How quickly can each team rebuild? 

38:17 - Vincent Trocheck not traded at the deadline — right call? 

40:56 - Rangers vs. Leafs Wednesday in Toronto — both want to lose 

41:26 - Which team can turn it around faster? 

43:53 - Craig Berube's future in Toronto / Peter Laviolette mention 

46:10 - Segment 3: Closing thoughts & playoff picture for other teams 

47:17 - April 4th live event at Mustang Harry's in NYC 

48:54 - Who don't Rangers fans want in the playoffs? 

50:10 - Columbus, Detroit, Ottawa as rising threats 

51:47 - Pittsburgh surging under Dan Muse (former Rangers assistant) 

53:22 - Do Rangers fans still hate the Penguins/Flyers enough to care? 

54:06 - Ping pong ball history: 2019-2020 draft lottery recap 

55:01 - Wrap up & subscribe reminder

#NewYorkRangers #Rangers #NHL #RinkRap #ForeverBlueShirts #MikaZibanejad #TorontoMapleLeafs #MapleLeafs #NHLPodcast #RangersPodcast #IgorShesterkin #JTMiller #NickAlberga #HockeyPodcast 

A brutal 10-shot effort against Ottawa on Mika Zibanejad's 1,000th game ceremony — plus the draft lottery picture, Dylan Garand's debut, and why Rangers fans are rooting for losses.

Nick Alberga of Leafs Nation joins to debate which Original Six franchise has been more disappointing in 2025-26 — and which one can realistically turn it around faster this offseason.

Jim weighs in on the Eastern Conference playoff race, which teams Rangers fans should root against, and announces a live Rink Rap broadcast at Mustang Harry's on April 4th.

Lou Orlando fills in for Jim Cerny on the Rink Rap Podcast from Forever Blueshirts, breaking down the latest on the New York Rangers as the season winds down. Lafreniere is playing the best hockey of his career — but is it real? Plus, is Gabe Perreault being set up for the same power play frustration Lafreniere dealt with for years? And with Dylan Grandy getting recalled, what's going on in the Rangers' crease?

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Chapters:

0:00 – Intro 

0:18 – Lou Orlando fills in for Jim Cerny 

1:37 – March Madness & Rangers struggles 

3:13 – Rangers post-Olympic break: fool's gold confirmed 

5:32 – Panarin's return to MSG 

9:18 – Kopitar & Quick moment; hockey history 

11:14 – JT Miller returns, Rangers slide continues 

13:03 – Mika Zibanejad still producing 

13:58 – Noah Laba injury concern 

16:48 – BREAK 

16:53 – Lafreniere's surge: 8 goals, 15 points in 12 games 

21:00 – Is this real or garbage time production? 

24:10 – Should the Rangers trade Lafreniere this offseason? 

28:33 – Laviolette on Lafreniere's power play usage 

33:46 – Gabe Pro: following in Lafreniere's footsteps? 

37:19 – Rangers PP numbers since Olympic break 

39:15 – What happens to Pro's role next season? 

42:39 – Dylan Grandy recalled; the goalie situation 

46:44 – Final thoughts & outro

Lou Orlando fills in for Jim Cerny and breaks down New York's three-game skid, Panarin's return to MSG, and why losing is actually the right move for this franchise right now.

Lafreniere's post-Olympic surge is real enough to get excited about, but the bigger question is whether Gabe Perrault is already being set up for the same power play exile that stunted Lafreniere's development for years.