Preseason Game Thread 9/18: Rangers vs the Islanders
Holy smokes hockey is here!
Tonight the New York Rangers begin their preseason schedule with a home game against the rival New York Islanders. Both teams have undergone some dramatic changes since the last time they played. Derek Stepan is no longer a Ranger, but Kevin Shattenkirk is. And Jordan Eberle is now an Islander, but Travis Hamonic isn't. Yet, somehow, Jaroslav Halak still is.
In four games against the Islanders last season the Rangers went 1-3-0 and were outscored 14 to 11.
Read up on the Islanders over at Lighthouse Hockey.
There are plenty of storylines to keep track of in the Rangers training camp and preseason that add significance and intrigue to tonight's preseason home opener.
Who will be on the Rangers third defensive pair? Will Bereglazov look better in the preseason than he did in Traverse City? What will J.T. Miller look like at center? Did the Rangers misstep when they signed Ondrej Pavelec? Will Lias Andersson make the team? And those questions are just the tip of the iceberg.
Keep a close eyes on the kids and veterans who are on the bubble tonight, but also remember that this is the team's first preseason game. Preseason hockey is never pretty. There are going to be plenty of wrinkles.
Enjoy the game. Let's go Rangers.