Rangers’ Carson Soucy exits early with upper-body injury

PITTSBURGH — Carson Soucy exited Saturday night’s 6-1 win over the Penguins in the second period with an upper-body injury and did not finish the game.

The 31-year-old defenseman crashed into the boards awkwardly while attempting a hit on Penguins wing Rickard Rakell.

After consulting with a trainer on the ice, Soucy skated off to the locker room under his own power, albeit gingerly.

The Rangers ruled Soucy out for the remainder of the game at the start of the third period.

Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan did not have an update on Soucy, who was still being evaluated after the game.

“It’s never easy,” Adam Fox said of losing a fellow defenseman mid-game. “But, you know, sometimes it simplifies as D-men. You know you’re not going to do too much because you don’t want to get caught out there or anything. Sometimes, mentally, it helps to know you’re keeping short shifts, keep it simple and trying to get it up to the forwards and playing there. The less you’re defending, the easier that is.”

arson Soucy celebrates after scoring a goal during the third period of the Rangers’ road win over the Sabres on Oct. 9, 2025. Getty Images

Sullivan was welcomed back to Pittsburgh with a heartwarming video tribute and standing ovation.

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“It means a lot,” he said after the game. “I’m grateful for everything that we accomplished here during my time. I’m grateful for the opportunity to coach here in Pittsburgh for 10 years. And I’m so grateful to the group of players over those years that performed the way they did that allowed us to have the success that we had. When you watch a tribute like that — which I was very appreciative for from the Penguins; they didn’t have to do that — it brings back up a flood of emotions.”

Blueshirts head coach Mike Sullivan acknowledges fans after a scoreboard tribute to his years a Penguins head coach during the first period of the Rangers’ 6-1 road win over Pittsburgh on Oct. 11, 2025. AP

After facing the Penguins for the first time in the season opener at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Sullivan said it was a lot different for him to be on the opposing bench of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and the rest of the Penguins.

Asked if he preferred to get his highly anticipated return out of the way early, Sullivan admitted that when he first saw the Rangers schedule he was hoping it wasn’t going to be until March.

It was inevitable, he noted, but he spoke very highly of his memories with the Penguins.

“The experience and the opportunity that I was given here in Pittsburgh changed my life in so many ways from a career standpoint,” Sullivan said. “With what we were able to accomplish as a group was a career-changing experience. I’m so grateful for that opportunity that I was given here to work with that group of players. You guys know how I feel about the core group that’s been here over the years. Those relationships last a lifetime.”

Igor Shesterkin got the starting nod Saturday night in Pittsburgh, marking his third straight start to open the season. He stopped 18 of the 19 shots he saw in his second win of the season.

As a result, Jonathan Quick will presumably make his season debut Sunday night against the Capitals at the Garden.

Rookie Noah Laba notched his first and second NHL points in Saturday’s win, assisting on Will Cuylle’s power-play goal and on Taylor Raddysh’s third-period score.