The Lightning went on a heater after giving up five goals to the Rangers in their season opener at the start of this month, winning their next four games by a combined margin of 15-7. 

Upon their return to Madison Square Garden, however, the Blueshirts were just as much of an extinguishing force as they were the first time the teams met. 

A 4-1 victory over the Lightning on Tuesday night kept the Rangers undefeated on home ice through five games, pushing them into third all time in the club’s record books for the longest home winning streak to open a season. 

It took the Rangers until March 27 to pick up their fifth regulation win at MSG last season. 

They’ve won all five home games in regulation so far by a combined score of 24-8. 

The Order of Protection on behalf of The Garden has never been so absolute. 

Alexis Lafrenière (center-right) is mobbed by his teammates after scoring his second goal of the game in the Rangers’ 4-1 win over the Lightning on Oct. 13, 2026 at Madison Square Garden. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“It’s a huge boost of confidence for the group,” head coach Mike Sullivan said of the Rangers’ start at home. “Once again, I’ll point to our leadership … Just leading the charge on what it takes to win and establishing ourselves at home. I know that was a goal that a lot of us had in mind going into this season and these guys were determined to get off on the right foot.” 

This Rangers team has been galvanized while defending home ice so far. Instead of leaving the ice to boos at intermission, the team is receiving standing ovations mid-play for hemming opponents into their zone. 

Visiting MSG is no longer the walk in the park it was all of last season. 

Alexis Lafrenière was right in the middle of it again with his second multigoal effort in four games, which also extended his point streak to five games — the longest of his seven-year NHL career. 

Dylan Garand makes a save on Anthony Cirelli during the Rangers’ win over the Lightning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

The 2020 No. 1 pick is tied for second in the NHL with seven tallies through the first eight contests of the season. 

Back in February, however, the Rangers picked up a hidden gem off waivers in Tye Kartye. 

The 25-year-old has been a relentless presence on the ice for the Rangers since he arrived, but he’s off to an especially impactful start to his first full season in a red, white and blue sweater. 

Each of Lafrenière’s two first-period goals doesn’t happen without the heads-up plays made by Kartye. 

After his pressure on the forecheck beat Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman and allowed the Rangers to swarm the net, Kartye — from behind the net — backhanded the puck to Lafrenière in the slot for the 1-0 lead just over a minute into the game. 

Though it didn’t compare to the backhanded lob that Kartye flipped to a streaking Lafrenière for a breakaway goal later in the first period. 

Alexis Lafrenière scores his second goal on Andrei Vasilevskiy during the Rangers’ win over the Lightning. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

“It feels good [to score], it feels good to win, too, especially at home after last year,” Lafrenière said. “It feels great and the crowd was great again today. It’s a good feeling right now in the room.” 

The Rangers’ third line is the only one head coach Mike Sullivan hasn’t touched yet this season, and it’s evident why. 

After some heavy play along the walls to maintain possession with his linemates, Will Cuylle registered his third goal of the season as the lone goal scorer in the second period. 

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Deflecting a Sean Durzi shot from the top of the zone, the 24-year-old gave his team a 3-1 lead entering the second intermission. 

“They get a lot of D-zone starts against top lines,” Sullivan said of the third line. “They defend hard for us, but there’s an offensive dimension to their line — all three of those guys. I think that’s an important element of having a third line that’s capable of playing both sides of the puck and not just a ‘checking line.’ … I think the last two or three games, their game is at another level. It’s almost like it’s been an ‘aha!’ moment for what they’re capable of. … We have no problem putting them out against anyone, and we know that they can get the job done”