Patrick Kane’s New York Rangers debut is spoiled by the Ottawa Senators and newcomer Jakob Chychrun

Patrick Kane’s first night as a New York Ranger was spoiled by new Ottawa Senators defenseman Jakob Chychrun and his new teammates. 

Two of the highest profile trade acquisitions in this NHL season made their debuts for their new teams at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Jakob Chychrun was sent to Ottawa from the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday afternoon after having sat out most of the month of February in anticipation of a trade.

Meanwhile, Kane – the Buffalo, NY native – took the ice for the first time in his NHL career as a member of a team not named the Chicago Blackhawks.

Kane was reunited with former Chicago teammate Artemi Panarin, but the Rangers failed to hold the Senators at bay in the third period – losing by a score of 5-3.

Two players made debuts for their new teams in New York City on Thursday evening

Rangers winger Chris Kreider started off the scoring in the first period, but Ottawa struck back in the second with two quick goals from Shane Pinto and former Ranger Derick Brassard.

New York responded with goals from captain Jacob Trouba and newly-acquired-forward Vladimir Tarasenko to take a 3-2 lead going into the final period.

It was there that the wheels fell off the bus for the Rangers. Brassard scored a minute and 35 seconds into the final period, with Claude Giroux taking the lead just over two minutes later.

Center Tim Stutzle sealed the win with less than three and a half minutes to go to confirm Ottawa’s fourth-straight win.

The victory puts the senators just four points back from a Wild Card spot in the highly competitive Eastern Conference – where five teams are all within striking distance of the current Wild Card holders: the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders. 

Kane finished the night with four shots and a plus/minus rating of -4 while Chychrun had a shot and a +1 rating.

Patrick Kane’s New York Rangers debut was spoiled with no goals and a defeat to Ottawa

Meanwhile, Jakob Chychrun got his first win with his new Senators teammates at MSG

After the game, Kane reflected on his first game as a New York Ranger in a building he’s played in as an opponent many times.

‘My first game as a Ranger was a pretty cool experience. Obviously, I would’ve liked to play a little bit better and come out with the win. But hopefully it’ll come. I haven’t played in a little bit. Maybe a little bit rusty,’ he said.

He added: ‘It’s a special place to play. It’s an Original Six franchise. Playing in MSG and you get a reception like that? It’s something I’ll never forget’

The Rangers face a tough road trip four hours to the north against the league-leading Boston Bruins on Saturday while the Senators host the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets.