Gabe Perrault Shines in Final Game of the Season
Gabe Perrault really stepped up.
In the Rangers’ last game of a challenging season, he scored his first-ever hat trick during a 4-1 victory against the Red Wings at Madison Square Garden. This win marked the team’s fourth in the last five games, which was a nice finish to what’s been a tough stretch.
At just 20, the young talent—who was a first-round pick—gave the sold-out crowd a memory to cherish as they head into the offseason, especially since this year saw one of the worst home records in the franchise’s century-long history.
Perrault is now among the select few, becoming the fourth rookie to score a hat trick for the Rangers in the last 30 years and one of only five rookies in the league to do so this season.
His scoring, with multiple goals across just three games, is pretty impressive, especially since he’s only played 45 games total. That’s second-most for NHL rookies this season.
JT Miller, the team captain, praised Perrault, saying, “He’s earned the trust of his coaches and teammates. It’s amazing to see him grow up right in front of us. At 20, he’s going to keep getting better, and what he brings is really something special. His game sense is great, and he’s intelligent on the ice.”
The game felt surreal for Perrault, especially since he was facing Patrick Kane—someone he admired for years. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m next to Patrick Kane.’” What a moment for him!
Jaroslav Schmeral, another rookie on the Rangers, opened the scoring not long before the end of the first period, which was his fourth goal of the season and second in three games. Plus, Adam Sykora got his first assist in just his sixth game—a solid showing for the rookies.
Since the beginning of March, Rangers rookies have racked up 17 goals and 38 points, which leads the league during that time frame. “We’re just having fun with the chances we’re getting,” Perrault shared, highlighting the energy of the rookie squad.
After a rough patch, Perrault ended an 11-game goal drought with a shot past John Gibson late in the second period. It had to feel good to get that off his shoulders.
His second goal came from a nice setup by Johnny Brodzinski in the third period, extending the Rangers’ lead to 3-0. Coach Mike Sullivan noted how Perrault’s understanding of the game is his key strength, emphasizing that while he might not have the quickest feet, his elusiveness and awareness make a big difference.
As the game wound down, Miller set up Perrault yet again, who scored his 10th goal from an empty net with 1:44 to go.
When the hat trick was confirmed, hats flew onto the ice, followed by cheers from his teammates and fans alike. “You could see the reaction on the bench. Everyone was rooting for him,” said Sullivan. It’s clear that Perrault is a player everyone enjoys seeing succeed.
