Rangers Daily: Preseason meltdown brings flashbacks; Vegas star optimistic
So, one of the first messages in my notifications on X after the New York Rangers blew a three-goal, third-period lead and lost to the Boston Bruins 5-4 in overtime in preseason play Tuesday was predictably angry and over the top.
“Same old s*** with this team. Blown leads, crappy defense. Zone, man on man, doesn’t matter. They’re going nowhere.”
OK, deep breaths everyone. For sure, it was an ugly meltdown. I understand anything resembling that train wreck of a season a year ago brings some PTSD with it.
But this was a preseason game, less than a week into training camp. The Rangers lineup featured a bunch of players who won’t be on the ice when the games count. Nor was Igor Shesterkin between the pipes when the Boston goal barrage took place.
However … (dramatic pause) … there was a shared queasy feeling when Adam Fox appeared lost in his own end on a third-period power play, stopped skating, and then surrendered the puck too easily when pressured by Michael Eyssimont. The Bruins forward proceeded to dance past Gabe Perreault and score a shortie.
Natural Stat Trick will inform you that Fox had himself a pretty strong preseason debut Tuesday. And the eye test passed muster too, especially watching Fox go to work with his new partner, Vladislav Gavrikov.
The Rangers had a 17-7 advantage in scoring chances (9-3 in the high-danger variety) in all situations with Fox on the ice. His xGF was 73.2 percent.
But that confounding ugly sequence which resulted in a game-turning short-handed goal for the opposition? That can’t be overlooked and is sure to bring back nightmares for the Blueshirts Faithful.
Collect yourselves, though, and don’t crush the panic button just yet. This season need not be a repeat of 2024-25. Not every mistake in a preseason game foretells a somersault off a cliff.
The NHL season can be up to a 10-month journey (if your team is lucky). There’s plenty of time to evaluate, enjoy, get excited, or be concerned — often on the same night.
We don’t have the crystal ball and cannot know for sure what’s next or what happens this season for the Rangers. Last year’s dysfunction is a great example.
There’s no reason just yet for that excitement you carried with you into The Garden on Tuesday night should be extinguished Wednesday morning.
New York Rangers news and analysis
Here are the key Rangers takeaways from that preseason OT loss to the Bruins at MSG.
Before Gabe Perreault scored again Tuesday night, Tom Castro examined the competition to land a Rangers roster spot between former first-round picks Brennan Othmann and Perreault.
Coach Mike Sullivan went into great detail trying to explain what a “hybrid” style of playing offensively looks like for the Rangers this season.
NHL news and rumors
TSN: Joseph Woll took a leave of absence from the Toronto Maple Leafs to attend to a “personal family matter.” There’s no timetable for the goalie’s return.
RG: In an exclusive interview with James Murphy, Winnipeg Jets chairman Mark Chipman expressed no concern about contract negotiations with star forward Kyle Connor, who can be an unrestricted free agent next summer and is in line for a significant raise.
ESPN: Though expected to miss the 2025-26 season with a chronic hip injury, Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo won’t rule out playing again because his current rehab program is going well.
The Athletic ($$): Chris Johnston reports that free-agent goalie Carter Hart could land with either the Golden Knights or Carolina Hurricanes, though he does have other options.
TSN: Despite all the trade rumors, defenseman Rasmus Andersson is in camp with the Calgary Flames. But Pierre LeBrun reports that the most likely scenario is that the pending UFA next summer will be traded at some point, rather than re-up with the Flames.
NHL.com: With Zach Hyman out with a wrist injury to start the season, the Edmonton Oilers plan to load up their top line, teaming superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Sportsnet: Forward Vasily Podkolzin signed a three-year, $8.5 million contract extension to remain with the Oilers.
New Jersey Hockey Now: With the sides far apart in contract negotiations with Luke Hughes, the New Jersey Devils are taking a long look at Ethan Edwards on a defense pairing with veteran Brett Pesce.
San Jose Hockey Now: Stud center Macklin Celebrini returned to practice Tuesday after he missed three straight days due to an illness.
