Dylan Garand Set to Start for Rangers in Season Finale vs. Lightning

Dylan Garand is set to take the crease for the New York Rangers in their 2025-26 season finale against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night. The young goaltender, who was recalled from the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League on March 20, has been given a chance to shine in the absence of veteran Jonathan Quick, who is sidelined with an upper-body injury.

In his short stint at the NHL level, the 23-year-old Garand has made a notable impression, starting two games and achieving a record of 1-0-1. He boasts an impressive 1.44 goals against average and a .954 save percentage. Despite not having started since claiming his first NHL victory on March 27 against the Chicago Blackhawks, the Rangers have chosen to keep Garand around, even with Quick’s return to the lineup.

Quick’s recent announcement regarding his retirement at the end of the season has opened new pathways for Garand. With the Rangers now eliminated from playoff contention, this final game presents an opportunity for Garand to solidify his place in the team’s future plans, likely as the backup goaltender behind Igor Shesterkin next season.

Head coach Mike Sullivan shared insights into the team’s goaltending strategy, stating, “We have talked for a few weeks on what we were trying to accomplish with our goalies, and there were multiple objectives involved. Obviously, Shesty is our No. 1 guy, and he’s a priority for us. I think how we handled Quickie down the stretch, he is deserving of, and we’ve spoken at length about that. And Dylan is a guy that’s played well in the starts that he’s had, and we’re excited about where potentially he goes moving forward.” Sullivan emphasized that their plan was multifaceted and that Garand’s performance could play a critical role in their future decisions.

As the Rangers prepare for their final game, Garand’s performance will be closely watched, offering him a chance to further prove himself at the NHL level.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.