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New York Rangers Game Notes

Rangers vs. Islanders: Bring on the Regular Season

Beating up on AHL lineups only tells you so much. What the Rangers' preseason finale did reveal—and why the backup goalie debate deserves more than a shrug.

Eric Kohn

Eric Kohn

— 6 min read
Rangers vs. Islanders: Bring on the Regular Season
(Image credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
  • Well, that was fun.
  • The New York Islanders broadcast team, who were the lone broadcasters for this final preseason contest, spent some time talking about the abbreviated preseason schedule with the NHL regular seasons expanding to 84 games. I'm on the record disliking the increased regular season schedule. I prefer fewer regular season games, but the interest of the almighty dollar militates in the opposite direction. But they raise a good point that it's unclear how helpful these preseason games actually are.
  • Few of these games featured comparable lineups opposing each other. This game featured the Rangers NHL roster against the Islanders AHL team. We've seen the Rangers AHL roster take on what was nearly the final New Jersey Devils regular season roster. I don't know the actual value of beating up on a mostly AHL roster.
  • The Rangers looked pretty good in this game. Again, it's unclear how meaningful that is because of the roster construction mismatch. I suppose we'll find out a lot more on Tuesday night when the Rangers open the regular season against the Boston Bruins.
  • Look, final preseason game caveats, etc., but ... not a great showing from Braden Schneider.
  • Is it weird to say that I'm really looking forward to an entire season of Tye Kartye? Because I am. I really like what he brings to this team in a bottom-six role. There's talent to be had on the waiver wire, and this was a great pick up by the Rangers.
  • I said on a recent episode of the podcast that I would be surprised but not shocked if Alberts Smits made the team. Well, color me surprised. But in retrospect, it doesn't seem that surprising. Smits never looked out of place. It's nice to see some positive very early returns from a top Rangers draft pick.

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