LAS VEGAS — After enduring a grueling 54-day stretch of losses, the New York Rangers finally turned the tide with a gritty 2-1 triumph over the elite Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. This hard-fought victory not only halted their losing spiral but also rekindled hopes for a playoff contention as they showcased their ability to compete against one of the NHL's top teams.

Head Coach Peter Laviolette expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance, stating, "I thought we were right on point right from the start. It was a follow-up from our last game at home against the Devils, and it’s great to see the guys carry that momentum on the road."

The Rangers fought through two tightly contested periods, with both teams tied at 1-1 entering the final frame. At 5:57 into the third period, the Rangers seized the lead thanks to a skillful tip-in by Adam Edstrom, off a shot by Jonny Brodzinski, marking Edstrom’s third goal of the season and his first career game-winner.

"We’ve been working hard on crashing the net, and I just tried to get a tip on that one,” Edstrom commented after the game. “It felt amazing to contribute like this and help the team win."

Defensively, the Rangers stood tall, successfully killing off two Golden Knights power plays, including an intense 57 seconds of six-on-four play as Vegas pulled their goalie in a desperate attempt to equalize. The Rangers blocked eleven shots during this final push and made solid choices in the defensive zone, demonstrating their resilience under pressure. Fans in the crowd, dressed in the Rangers' colors, erupted in chants, showing their support even in enemy territory during the closing moments.

This victory marks the Rangers’ fourth win in their last six games, with signs of a resurgence following a rocky start to the season. Star forward Mika Zibanejad extended his impressive point streak to six games, contributing an assist to Vincent Trocheck, who has rekindled the fire that fueled last season's successful campaign.

Interestingly, both teams capitalized on their first power play opportunities, which came during the second period. The Golden Knights struck first with a goal from captain Mark Stone, but the Rangers quickly retaliated with Trocheck’s goal, leveling the game and setting the stage for Edstrom’s decisive play.

The Rangers now look forward to facing the strong Colorado Avalanche next, as they aim to build on this newfound momentum. Ryan Lindgren emphasized the need to continue improving, stating, "We’re going to play a really good Colorado team on Tuesday, so we just have to keep building off this success and strive for better performances."

This game not only marked a critical win for the Rangers but also signified their potential to turn the season around as they combat formidable opponents in upcoming matches.