Rangers Shake Up Lines After Four Straight Losses
The New York Rangers have lost four straight games and six of their last seven. Coach Mike Sullivan reshuffled three lines, including moving Will Cuylle to center, as the team tries to halt its slide.
Published November 2, 2026. The New York Rangers’ four-game losing streak includes Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to the Edmonton Oilers. New York is 7-7-1 and has lost six of its last seven, though it remains one point behind the Washington Capitals for third place in the Metropolitan Division, with 15 points.
The Rangers changed three of their four forward lines. Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Dorofeyev and Alexis Lafreniere stayed together on the first line. J.T. Miller, Tye Kartye and Gabe Perreault filled the second line, after Perreault moved up from the third line during Sunday’s game.
The biggest adjustment puts Will Cuylle at center on the third line, alongside Eeli Tolvanen and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Noah Laba, previously at center, shifted to the fourth line. Cuylle is making the move from wing, and how he handles the unfamiliar position could determine whether the new combinations work.
Goaltending has been a major concern during the skid since Igor Shesterkin was injured. Dylan Garand posted an .847 save percentage over the last four games, while James Reimer was pulled in the first period against the Los Angeles Kings after allowing three goals on nine shots.
Garand took responsibility for his performance against Edmonton, saying his first half of the game was “inexcusable” and that he had let the team down. The Rangers have until November 26, American Thanksgiving, to establish themselves in the playoff picture. Seventy-seven percent of teams holding a postseason position by that holiday go on to make the playoffs, a benchmark that could also influence whether general manager Chris Drury makes moves.