New York Rangers start exhibition slate versus Boston Bruins
The New York Rangers are visiting the Boston Bruins to get the ball rolling on the first of six exhibition matches scheduled for the preseason. They will play their first on Madison Square Garden ice this coming Tueaday against the New York Islanders.
The Rangers finished third in the Metro Division last season with 107 points. A first-round exit against the New Jersey Devils in seven games led to a coaching change from Gerard Gallant to Peter Laviolette. It’s a move that team veterans have embraced.
“A whole new coaching staff and the approach that they’re taking is different,” explained Vincent Trocheck. “[Laviolette] is paying attention to detail and he’s focused on making this group as good as we can possibly be. That’s huge for a team that believes we can contend for a Stanley Cup.”
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Meanwhile, the Boston Bruins destroyed the NHL and won the Presidents’ Trophy as the best regular-season team with 135 points. A gap of 24 points over the nearest competitior, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sadly for the Bruins, they were also bounced in the first round as the Florida Panthers shocked them in seven.
Here’s tonight’s game and broadcast info:
New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins
Date/Time: September 24, 2023 at 5:45 PM ET
Arena: TD GARDEN
TV: MSG, MSG+, NHL Network
Radio: ESPN 98.7
Note: Subject to change. Updated for each game.
Per NYR PR: Start time delayed to 5:45 PM due to travel.
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UPDATE
New York Rangers roster versus Bruins:
Forwards – Alex Belzile, Brett Berard, Anton Blidh, Jonny Brodzinski, Filip Chytil, Will Cuylle, Adam Edstrom, Ryder Korczak, Alexis Lafreniere, Jake Leschyshyn, Riley Nash, Adam Sykora, Jimmy Vesey.
Defense – Ben Harpur, Ty Emberson, Zac Jones, Connor Mackey, Matthew Robertson, Branson Scanlin, Braden Schneider
Goalies – Jonathan Quick, Talyn Boyko
New York Rangers start preseason action
The New York Rangers have invited 58 players to training camp but only 20 of them will suit up tonight. Per multiple reports, here’s what the practice lines looked like on Saturday.
- Panarin – Zibanejad – Wheeler
- Kreider – Trocheck – Kakko
- Vesey – Chytil – Lafreniere
- Goodrow – Bonino – Pitlick
- Lindgren – Fox
- Miller – Trouba
- Jones – Schneider
It should be noted that Erik Gustafsson and Ben Harpur were also in the rotation on defense. Will this be the lineup that heads to Boston today?
“[Sunday] is the first exhibition game so we’ll send a group out to Boston and we’ll scrimmage the remaining players here (MSG Training Center),” Laviolette noted. “It’s a chance to see everybody in the organization competing, as some will be in Boston and others right here.”
One thing everyone needs to keep in check are expectations because this is a new system to which the coach admitted won’t be perfect right away. However, if these first few days of practice are any indication, the players are excited to put what they learned into effect.
“The sense of direction I think is good for us,” captain Jacob Trouba said. “Already in the first practice, we’re going over offensive zone ideas. We went through systems up and down the ice with video. [The players] have to implement it, but he’s given us the tools to be successful this year.”
Regardless of who suits up, should Alexis Lafreniere be in the lineup, all eyes will be on him. The first overall pick from 2020 is trying to make the transition from left wing to the right side this season and Laviolette hopes he seizes the opportunity to move into the top-six.
“I had conversations with him about playing the offside and he expressed to me that he’s comfortable with that and looks forward to the opportunity,” Laviolette explained. “I’m looking forward to giving it to him to see what he can do.”
There’s no indication of who will be in goal, but with the team playing at home Tuesday, it would make sense that Jonathan Quick get some action under his belt in Boston. The Rangers can then go with Shesterkin versus the Isles.
Three other goalies are in camp, but I expect promising prospect Dylan Garand to play in one of the next two games.
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