3 things to watch for when Rangers host Bruins in preseason clash at MSG
The boys are back home, albeit for a preseason game, when the New York Rangers host the Boston Bruins at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
It’ll be their second preseason contest, and first game of any kind on home ice since they closed their dismal 2024-25 season with a 4-0 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 17. Now, five months later, they’ve got a new coach, clean slate, and plenty of motivation ahead of a new season.
The Rangers are coming off a 5-3 road win over the New Jersey Devils in their preseason opener Sunday. Seven skaters who dressed in that victory are in the lineup Tuesday, including six forwards: Anton Blidh, Justin Dowling, Noah Laba, Brennan Othmann, Juuso Parssinen, and Gabe Perreault. Rookie Scott Morrow is the only defenseman playing in consecutive games.
Igor Shesterkin didn’t make the trek across the Hudson River over the weekend. But the Rangers No. 1 goalie will start on home ice against the Bruins. Adam Fox, Will Cuylle, and Vladislav Gavrikov are other high-profile Rangers making their preseason debuts.
That said, let’s dive into several important things to watch for when the Rangers host the Bruins in their preseason game at MSG on Tuesday.
Related: Rangers’ Brennan Othmann avoids hearing, suspension after major penalty
1. Artemi Panarin among Rangers big guns out again
Let’s start with who we won’t see in the Rangers’ lineup. Each of their big guns up front will sit it out again Tuesday. That means no Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, nor Vincent Trocheck.
Panarin remains day to day with a lower-body injury. However, there was a small update Tuesday morning that the Breadman is skating on his own. So, his return to practice should come soon.
Like Panarin, the other four are lineup locks. Coach Mike Sullivan chose to get a longer look at other forwards competing for spots, as well as younger players who might help down the road.
It is a bit of a surprise that veteran defenseman Carson Soucy didn’t play in either of the first two preseason games. And in a precautionary move, Braden Schneider is being held out of at least the first three preseason contests following offseason shoulder surgery.
2. First look at Adam Fox and Vladislav Gavrikov on top defense pair
Been waiting for this moment since Gavrikov signed a seven-year, $49 million contract in free agency July 1. It’s only a preseason game, but actually getting to watch Fox and Gavrikov partner on the same defense pairing is a big deal.
Sure, Ryan Lindgren complemented Fox’s game nicely for several seasons. But Gavrikov? We’re talking about a true top-pair shutdown defenseman, one of the best in the League at what he does. Put him on the left side of Fox, and let’s see how this elevates the former Norris Trophy winner’s game even more.
This could be the best No. 1 pair the Rangers have had since, dare we say, Brian Leetch and Jeff Beukeboom in their Stanley Cup heyday. Marc Staal and Dan Girardi, or Ryan McDonagh and Girardi, in the 2010s? Solid, for sure. But we’re talking about a whole other level here. And we get our first look Tuesday night.
3. Rangers run it back with the kids
Sullivan’s going to give Perreault, Othmann, Morrow, and Laba each a long look in training camp and the preseason. They were easily the four best players at Rangers rookie camp and in two games against Philadelphia Flyers prospects earlier in the month. Each has the chance to make the opening-night roster or help the Rangers at some point this season.
Assuming Zibanejad starts the season playing right wing on a line with Miller, that leaves Perreault and Othmann competing for likely one spot on the wing of the third line. But it’s not just the former first-round picks competing against each other. There’s veteran Conor Sheary, who’s in camp on a PTO and had a terrific game against the Devils; Brett Berard, who just might have the edge to land a third-line role; and versatile veteran Jonny Brodzinski.
Othmann was the better player against the Flyers, but Perreault scored against the Devils. Let’s see which one plays better against the Bruins.
Laba looks the part of someone who can handle the 3C role. He does so many things well on both sides of the puck. However, he’s a long shot to beat out Juuso Parssinen or Brodzinski for that specific role to begin the season. But if the 22-year-old continues to show well in preseason, don’t be surprised if he lands on Broadway sooner rather than later this season.
The good outweighed the bad with Morrow against the Devils, though there were instances of each. The 22-year-old needs work on his defensive game, for sure, but he he makes excellent reads offensively, moves the puck quickly and decisively, and scored a goal against the Devils. He needs to prove he can play defense adequately in the NHL to land in the top six, though.
