Jaroslav Chmelar scored his first NHL goal, and the New York Rangers won a home game in regulation for the first time in more than three months, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey break down key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how games may play out.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews says the team will keep fighting despite their difficult season and recent trade deadline moves. Speaking to reporters before Saturday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning,

Among the players who might get a look is defensive prospect William Villeneuve, who's yet to play a game in the NHL since being drafted in 2020.

The Trade Deadline has now passed, and while the Leafs did offload Nic Roy, Scott Laughton, and Bobby McMann for a 2027 first, 2027 second, 2026 fourth, a conditional 2026 third, and a conditional 2026 fifth,

Our Maple Leafs vs. Rangers predictions expect Auston Matthews to continue his desperate attempt to snap his goalless streak vs. New York on Thursday, March 5.