Rangers expect Dylan Garand to bounce back after getting pulled in ugly outing

In the aftermath of the worst start of Dylan Garand’s NHL career, the Rangers didn’t blame the rookie goaltender who’s been thrust into the starting role after injuries to Igor Shesterkin and Joonas Korpisalo. It still added a disappointing twist to what otherwise had been a promising — and historic — start to his NHL career.Garand allowed four goals on 14 shots, including two in 31 seconds to end his night, before getting pulled in favor of Spencer Martin in the Blueshirts’ 7-1 loss to the Devils.

Garand entered the night with a 1.15 goals against average and a .951 save percentage in 2026-27.  Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mollie Walker about the inside buzz on the Rangers.“It’s not on Dylan,” head coach Mike Sullivan said.

“I think Dylan’s played pretty good for us.He’s played sound hockey.

… I know Dylan will bounce back.He’s a high-character kid.

He’s a competitive guy.He’s played really well for us to this point.

I would expect him to respond the right way, just like our team.” Garand’s season to this point has been a whirlwind, as he was cut in training camp, placed on waivers, sent to AHL Hartford after clearing and then brought back up before the Rangers’ second game of the season once Korpisalo sustained a lower-body injury.Then, when Shesterkin’s season ended last Friday with a right knee injury, Garand became the starter — and proceeded to win his first two starts to give the Blueshirts hope of surviving without their franchise goaltender. But Garand, for all the potential he has flashed, only has seven starts and eight appearances on his ledger with massive skates to fill.

He stopped Jack Hughes in the first period, but everything unraveled after Evan Rodrigues beat him off a J.T.Miller turnover near the end of the first period and Luke Hughes’ shot deflected off Adam Fox’s skate and in at the start of the second. “We’re gonna...