The New York Rangers will kick off play in their first preseason game against the New York Islanders tonight at Madison Square Garden.
Finally, after all the drafts, trades and signings, the New York Rangers will hit the ice against their fierce rival, the New York Islanders. The Rangers will put a lineup out that includes a mixture of both veterans and prospects.
Trust me, it’ll be a whole lot of fun to watch.
Tomorrow's game group practicing first. Carey-Miller-Nash, Grabner-Andersson-Buch, Farnham-Nieves-Lettieri, Schneider-Desjardins-Fontaine…
— Justin Tasch (@J_Tasch) September 17, 2017
Beat writer for the New York Daily News, Justin Tasch, tweeted the forward lines that practiced yesterday in practice at the training center: Carey-Miller–Nash, Grabner–Andersson–Buchnevich, Farnham-Nieves-Lettieri, Schneider-Desjardins-Fontaine. It’ll be interesting to see how the Andersson line does as Andersson will get his first game experience with the Rangers right away.
McDonagh-Pionk, Holden-DeAngelo, Graves-Kampfer; Pavelec, Halverson. Day-Zborovskiy also practicing with this group.
— Justin Tasch (@J_Tasch) September 17, 2017
Tasch also revealed the defenseman ad pairings that should be used in tonight’s game along with the goaltenders: McDonagh-Pionk, Holden–DeAngelo, Graves–Kampfer on the blue line. Day-Zoborovskiy practiced with this group too. Pavelec and Halverson will be the ones splitting the time in goal.
Pavelec, 30, who admits last season was "tough", relishing a chance for a fresh start.
— Steve Zipay (@stevezipay) September 17, 2017
Ondrej Pavelec admitted, per Newsday’s Steve Zipay, that last season was “tough.” The backup goalie situation is suspect at this time, especially considering the difficult past two seasons Pavelec has gone through.
The Captain is Happy
"It's an exciting time here." – Captain @RMcDonagh27 spoke with the media following #NYRTC on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/Nt9SPspe1Z
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 17, 2017
Rangers Captain Ryan McDonagh spoke with the media following his group’s practice at the Rangers’ training facility yesterday. “It’s an exciting time here” McDonagh said.
McDonagh also referred to the youth coming in and their expectations for this season.
Lake Placid, Here We Come
According to an article penned by Steve Zipay, the New York Rangers will head out to Lake Placid, NY on Oct. 1. The team will have plenty of time off to make this trip once their preseason schedule concludes. The Rangers will have practice there and participate in some team-building activities, says Zipay.
Steve Zipay also stated in his article that Ryan McDonagh and Alain Vigneault have agreed to wait until the preseason has concluded to determine if they will add alternate Captains or leave things as is with Marc Staal and Rick Nash.
