Rangers getting exciting early returns from ‘effective’ bottom-6 forwards

Entering the 2025-26 season, the New York Rangers’ bottom-six forward group was thought to be one of the team’s weaker links. Through three games, it’s been anything but.

That was evident Saturday, when the Rangers defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1 in head coach Mike Sullivan’s return to PPG Paints Arena. While star defenseman Adam Fox headlined the night with a two-goal, three-point performance, the depth forwards had their fingerprints all over the feel-good win.

Fourth-line center Sam Carrick helped get the party started in the first period, breaking out on a 2-on-1 short-handed rush to set up Mika Zibanejad for a 1-0 lead. The fourth line contributed to New York’s second goal as well,…