Preseason Game #2: New York Islanders vs New York Rangers Open Thread
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The New York Rangers are back on the ice one day after their 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils. Their opponent, the New York Islanders, has also lost their only preseason game to the Devils. This will be the first time the Rangers see head coach Pete Deboer coaching for the Islanders since he was hired last season.
Tonight's lineup for both teams will feature a more NHL-heavy lineup, but the Rangers are mixing in some young players, including Cole Beaudoin, Liam Greentree, Dylan Roobroeck, and Alberts Smits. Igor Shesterkin will play the first two periods while Spencer Martin will play the third. The Rangers' first power play unit will consist of Adam Fox, Mika Zibanejad, Pavel Dorofeyev, Alexis Lafrenière, and J.T. Miller.
#NYR lines and D pairs ahead of preseason game vs. #Isles
— Mollie Walker (@MollieeWalkerr) September 22, 2026
Perreault-Zibanejad-Lafrenière
Dorofeyev-Miller-Bjorkstrand
Greentree-Beaudoin-Tolvanen
Raddysh-Roobroeck-Chmelař
Gavrikov-Fox
Pettersson-Durzi
Šmits-Schneider
Shesterkin
Martin
Where to Watch
Cable/Network TV: MSG Network, NHL website, NHL app, and DAZN
National Broadcast: ESPN+
Radio: 880 AM
Player to Watch: Alberts Smits
Most of the Rangers' lineup seems to be already determined for opening night against the Boston Bruins, but Smits is one of the few players whose role seems undetermined. I mentioned in yesterday's game thread to keep an eye on Matthew Robertson since the two of them seem to be in competition for the spot on the bottom pair next to Braden Schneider.
#NYR select Alberts Smits 5th overall. I ranked him 5th overall.
— Patrick Bacon (@TopDownHockey) June 26, 2026
Model says it's a solid pick. On top of that, I'll add that Smits went super beast mode in the Olympics against some of the best players in the world and the model doesn't even take that into account. pic.twitter.com/KAr3QwStZK
Regardless of how well Robertson plays, the Rangers are going to do what is best for Smits development. Whether it is starting him with the Hartford Wolf Pack with first-pair minutes or a third-pair role in the NHL, the fifth-overall picks' development takes priority.
Enjoy the game!
