Tonight (Sept. 24) the New York Rangers will play their first dwelling preseason recreation versus the New York Islanders. Coming off of a 3-2 win towards the Boston Bruins, the Rangers can have a brand new look tonight, that includes extra NHL regulars as they gear up for the upcoming season.
In response to Vince Mercogliano, the Rangers’ lineup for tonight will likely be:
Forwards
| Chris Kreider | Mika Zibanejad | Reilly Smith |
| Artemi Panarin | Vincent Trocheck | Alexis Lafreniere |
| Brett Berard | Filip Chytil | Brennan Othmann |
| Adam Edstrom | Jake Leschyshyn | Matt Rempe |
| Ryan Lindgren | Adam Fox |
| Zac Jones | Jacob Trouba |
| Ben Harpur | Chad Ruhwedel |
| Igor Shesterkin |
| Jonathan Fast |
First Have a look at Reilly Smith
Tonight will give Rangers followers their first have a look at the Kreider-Zibanejad-Smith line, a mixture the crew hopes will spark the duo’s even-strength scoring. Ever for the reason that Rangers traded Pavel Buchnevich, Kreider and Zibanejad have struggled to constantly produce at even power, regardless of a number of right-wingers being rotated onto their line. Smith, an offseason commerce acquisition, is the newest to be given the position.
The Rangers are optimistic that Smith’s type will complement the veteran forwards and result in instant chemistry. Nevertheless, if the trio fails to attach, it may result in extra severe discussions about splitting up Kreider and Zibanejad, as they’ve been the widespread factor in a number of mixtures that haven’t met expectations. The stress is on to discover a solutio early within the season.
Panarin, Trocheck, and Lafreniere Set for Preseason Debut
The Rangers’ greatest line from final season can even make its preseason debut tonight. In spite of everything three gamers posted career-high numbers final season, they’ll be trying to construct on that success. Trocheck solidified his position as a dependable prime heart through the playoffs, and Panarin will purpose to eclipse the 100-point mark once more.
Associated: Rangers’ Lafrenière Is Prepared for a Energy-Play Promotion
In the meantime, Lafreniere, who tallied 57 factors primarily at even power, is poised to extend his manufacturing and may see extra power-play minutes this season as he enters a vital contract marketing campaign. All eyes will likely be on this line to see if they’ll preserve their excessive degree of efficiency from final season.
Chytil Facilities the Third Line
Chytil will heart the third line tonight, contemporary off main the Rangers to a 3-2 victory over the Bruins. He’ll be joined by prospects Berard and Othmann, each of whom are combating for a spot on the opening-night roster. Othmann had a tricky outing within the final recreation, struggling on each ends of the ice, although he did present flashes of his physicality by delivering just a few massive hits. Berard, making his preseason debut tonight, will hope to catch the teaching employees’s consideration together with his high-energy play and powerful even-strength efficiency. Whereas each are anticipated to start out the season within the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Berard’s even-strength scoring final season offers him a stronger case than Othmann, who relied extra on the ability play to provide factors.
Battle on the Fourth Line
The fourth line tonight options Edstrom, Leschyshyn, and Rempe. Leschyshyn is predicted to start out the season in Hartford, whereas Edstrom and Rempe, each of whom impressed final season, are vying for a spot on the opening evening roster. With Sam Carrick possible locked in because the fourth-line heart and Jimmy Vesey anticipated to fill one of many wings, there might solely be room for certainly one of them. Edstrom and Rempe have comparable enjoying kinds, with Edstrom providing extra talent and Rempe offering further grit. Rempe is presently favored to safe the ultimate roster spot, however tonight’s recreation will supply an opportunity to judge whether or not having two 6-foot-7 gamers on the fourth line is a method the Rangers ought to carry into the common season.
Defensive Pairings to Watch
The Rangers’ defensive pairings for tonight characteristic Lindgren and Fox, who’ve been a constant duo since each arrived in New York and are prone to proceed enjoying collectively. In the meantime, Jones and Trouba are each trying to make statements this preseason. Jones, after spending a number of seasons on the fringes, lastly seems poised to safe a daily spot within the NHL. He confirmed promise in his restricted alternatives final season, giving the Rangers hope for his improvement. Trouba, alternatively, is coming off a disappointing playoff run. As crew captain, he’s keen to start out the brand new season sturdy. Following commerce rumors this summer season, Trouba might want to show his worth not solely to normal supervisor Chris Drury but additionally to the fanbase, making tonight a key alternative to rebuild belief.
Remaining Ideas
Because the Rangers put together for his or her first dwelling preseason recreation, Shesterkin and Fast can even see their first motion of the preseason, including one other layer of intrigue to the matchup. Shesterkin, the established number-one goalie, will look to construct on his stellar kind from final season. Fast’s efficiency final season was glorious and the Rangers search for him to offer strong backup assist behind Shesterkin all through the season once more. With each goaltenders stepping onto the ice tonight, followers will get an early glimpse of how this dynamic duo can anchor the crew in web as they gear up for the common season.
