Rangers goaltender Dylan Garand received a full preseason start Monday as he competes for the backup position behind starter Igor Shesterkin. The 24-year-old faced the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in the preseason opener, playing nearly 58 minutes against an NHL-caliber lineup despite being supported mostly by AHL-level teammates. Garand finished with 27 saves in a 3-2 loss, highlighted by a late game-winning goal from Devils forward Jack Hughes with just over two minutes remaining.
Garand’s performance marked a continuation of his efforts to solidify a backup role, a position currently contested by Joonas Korpisalo. Head coach Mike Sullivan opted to give Garand significant ice time in this shortened training camp, aiming to provide him with a platform to demonstrate his capabilities. “We’re trying to give them an opportunity to make an impression,” Sullivan said, noting the challenges of evaluating players in a condensed preseason schedule.
During the game, Garand made several key saves that kept the score close. Moments before Hughes’ decisive goal, Garand denied a scoring chance when Hughes found an open shooting lane. He also helped the Rangers withstand a late first-period power play without conceding a goal. Sullivan acknowledged that the Devils generated quality chances throughout, but credited Garand for timely stops in critical situations.
The Devils scored first in the second period after a deflection involving Dennis Cholowski led to a goal by Nico Hischier. Anton Blidh evened the score for the Rangers before Timo Meier reclaimed the lead for New Jersey with under a minute remaining in the period by maneuvering around the net and beating Garand.
Garand remains faced with an uphill climb for the backup role, especially considering the short preseason and the limited chances to impress. His previous three-game stint in the 2025-26 preseason saw strong statistics, with a .948 save percentage and a 1.62 goals-against average, but it may not be sufficient to avoid exposure to waivers. The Rangers will have to weigh the logistics of carrying three goaltenders on the roster if they choose to retain him.
When asked if he felt he had made a statement with his outing, Garand downplayed the significance, emphasizing his focus on daily effort and blocking out distractions. “I’m really just trying to limit that outside noise inside my head and just battle and lay it all out there,” he said.
As the training camp progresses, Garand’s recent showing at Prudential Center serves as a reminder that he remains a serious contender for the backup position in New York’s crease.