New York Rangers lineup versus Devils debuts Sammy Blais on top line, Alexis Lafreniere good to go

new york rangers lineup sammy blais injury
Nov 8, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Sammy Blais (91) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers (1-0-1) will take on the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night.

This will be the team’s third of six exhibition contests. Game and broadcast info below:

DATEVS.BROADCAST INFORESULT
Monday, Sept. 26 (7:00 PM)   NYIMSG, MSGSN, NHLN, ESPN 98.7W, 4-1
Tuesday, Sept. 27 (7:00 PM)@BOSMSG, NESN+, NHLN, ESPN 98.7L, 3-2
Thursday, Sept. 29 (7:00 PM)NJMSG, MSGSN, NHLN, ESPN 98.7
Friday, Sept. 30 (7:00 PM)@NJMSG
Wednesday, Oct. 5 (7:00 PM)BOSTNT
Saturday, Oct. 8 (7:00 PM)@NYIMSG
New York Rangers 2022-23 preseason schedule

New York Rangers lineup versus Devils

Alexis Lafreniere
Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Per multiple reports based off the morning skate the lineup should be as follows:

  • Kreider – Zibanejad – Blais
  • Lafreniere – Chytil – Kakko
  • Othmann – Khodorenko – Gauthier
  • Gettinger – Henriksson – Edstrom
  • Lindgren – Fox
  • Hajek – Bartkowski
  • Scanlin – Welinski
  • Shesterkin
  • Lindbom

Sammy Blais will finally get into game action after an ACL injury and subsequent surgery ended his first Rangers season in November. The 26 year-old winger only played in 14 games and amassed 4 assists.

“Everything is going according to plan and it’s getting better,” Blais said. “I just have to get back into the rhythm and get the rust off. I love playing hockey and not being with the team hurt. I’m excited to help this team win.”

Also the Kid Line will play their first game as a unit together. Filip Chytil will center Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere, who is dealing with a bruised foot. In the game against the Bruins on Tuesday, he took a slapshot from teammate Hunter Skinner that sent him to the bench in excruciating pain.

Brennan Othmann, who earned first star honors with two assist in Monday’s win over the Isles will play with Patrick Khoderenko on a third line with Julien Gauthier. The two played together in rookie camp and have familiarity.

The fourth line will have three players all getting into their first preseason game with Karl Henriksson, Tim Gettinger, and Adam Edstrom. All are likely Hartford bound except for Edstrom, who would return back to Europe if he can’t earn a spot on the roster.

On defense, Matt Bartkowski will make his debut. The defenseman is on a PTO trying to earn a standard contract.

In net, Igor Shesterkin will start with prospect netminder Olof Lindbom backing him up.

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Anthony Scultore is the founder of Forever Blueshirts and has been covering the New York Rangers and the NHL... More about Anthony Scultore

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