Rangers vs. Bruins: 3 things to watch for preseason opener
After only three training camp practices, the New York Rangers hit the ice for their first preseason game Sunday against the Boston Bruins at TD Garden. Although much of the varsity roster remained back home scrimmaging at the Rangers’ Tarrytown facility, there’s still plenty of intrigue and excitement surrounding New York’s first game of any sort since being eliminated by the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final more than three months ago.
What happened at the morning scrimmage is likely of more importance to what lies ahead for the 2024-25 season than what takes place up in Boston. For what it’s worth, Igor Shesterkin’s white team defeated Jonathan Quick’s blue squad 4-3, despite nearly letting a 4-1 lead slip away.
But what happens when the Rangers visit the Bruins is also important.
“It’s an evaluation process,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Saturday. “You want to go out there and play the game the right way. You want to show what our team can do. It’s training camp so it’s an evaluation period, an evaluation process. While we’ll be missing some of the bigger names, there’s a chance for players to go out, put on the New York Rangers jersey, represent the organization and show what we can do.”
Related: Why ‘100 percent’ Filip Chytil is Rangers X-factor this season
3 things to watch for when Rangers play Bruins in preseason opener
So, let’s breakdown three things to watch late Sunday afternoon.
1. Spotlight on Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil
Kaapo Kakko and Filip Chytil are among the familiar names making the trip to Boston. It’s the first opportunity for each player to put last season behind him and chart a positive course for 2024-25.
Kakko missed 21 games with a lower-body injury last season, failed to create any chemistry playing with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, was dropped to the third line and finished with just 13 goals and 19 points. That was before he scored one goal in 15 postseason games and was a healthy scratch early in the conference final.
The 23-year-old said he’s thrilled to remain with the Rangers after offseason trade rumors and is primed to get his career back on track. He’ll skate on the third line with a healthy Chytil and Will Cuylle on Sunday, and likely when the regular season begins.
Chytil missed all but 10 games last season with an upper-body injury believed to be a concussion, the third or fourth of his career. The 25-year-old did return after a six-month absence and played six postseason games without generating a point. He’s starting fresh, trying to recapture his 22-goal, 45-point form from two seasons ago.
All eyes will be on Kaako and Chytil against the Bruins.
2. Brennan Othmann looks to make most of opportunity
Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack
Since camp started, Brennan Othmann has skated with the junior varsity, if you will. He wasn’t included in the scrimmage Sunday, so he will get a chance to show his stuff in game action instead. Othmann likely needs to blow away Rangers coaches and management these next couple of weeks to earn a roster spot. That process begins against the Bruins.
The 21-year-old forward scored 21 goals last season with Hartford of the American Hockey League and needs to land a top-nine spot to crack the roster. He’s not battling Matt Rempe and Adam Edstrom for a fourth-line role. It’s top top nine or back to Hartford for the 2021 first-round pick.
Laviolette said this week that there’s always room for someone to surprise and shove his way on to the roster, even one as deep as New York’s. Let’s see how much Othmann can move that needle on Sunday.
3. Different look against Bruins
Since most of the players expected to be on the opening-night roster remained back in New York, the Rangers roster look will have a different look for their preseason opener against the Bruins.
The Rangers have yet to announce their game roster, but it’s expected that along with Kakko, Chytil and Cuylle, forwards Jimmy Vesey and Jonny Brodzinski will play against the Bruins. As should defenseman Braden Schneider.
The goalies are expected to be the 1-2 punch from Hartford, veteran Louis Domingue and Dylan Garand, the 22-year-old who’s entering his third professional season.
“It’s a little bit too early for me,” Laviolette said after Sunday’s scrimmage when asked why Domingue and Garand made the trip while Shesterkin and Quick stayed home. “I’d rather get them work here and have them work on their game.
“Eventually, if we get down to (preseason games) 4-5-6 and we’re on the road, I’m fine with that. But it’s a little too early in camp.”
Along with Othmann, other familiar names like defensemen Connor Mackey, Ben Harpur and Casey Fitzgerald are expected to play.
Check back here for updates on the Rangers lineup against the Bruins.
Rangers vs. Bruins preseason opener: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins
What: NHL preseason opener
Where: TD Garden
When: Sunday, Sept. 22 at 5 p.m. ET
How to Watch: MSG Network
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule
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