New York Rangers lineup has no Vitali Kravtsov for final preseason game versus Isles
The New York Rangers final preseason lineup against the New York Islanders is out and Vitali Kravtsov is not playing as expected.
The team is 2-2-1 in exhibition action.
Game and broadcast info in bold and italics below:
| DATE | VS. | BROADCAST INFO | RESULT |
| Monday, Sept. 26 (7:00 PM) | NYI | MSG, MSGSN, NHLN, ESPN 98.7 | W, 4-1 |
| Tuesday, Sept. 27 (7:00 PM) | @BOS | MSG, NESN+, NHLN, ESPN 98.7 | L, 3-2(OT) |
| Thursday, Sept. 29 (7:00 PM) | NJ | MSG, MSGSN, NHLN, ESPN 98.7 | L, 5-2 |
| Friday, Sept. 30 (7:00 PM) | @NJ | MSG, MSGSN, NHLN, ESPN 98.7 | W, 2-1 |
| Wednesday, Oct. 5 (7:00 PM) | BOS | TNT, ESPN 98.7 | L, 5-4 |
| Saturday, Oct. 8 (7:00 PM) | @NYI | MSG, MSGN, ESPN 98.7 |
New York Rangers lineup versus Islanders
Based off the Rangers pregame lineup notes and recent practices the lines will be:
- Kreider – Zibanejad – Kakko
- Panarin – Trocheck – Vesey
- Lafreniere – Chytil – Goodrow
- Blais – Carpenter – Reaves
On defense look for the following pairs:
- Miller – Fox
- Jones – Schneider
- Bartkowski – Tinordi
Starting in goal will be Igor Shesterkin backed up by Jaroslav Halak.
Vitali Kravtsov and Libor Hajek
Not playing tonight are the following remaining roster players:
- Jacob Trouba (D)
- Ryan Lindgren (D)
- Libor Hajek (D)
- Vitali Kravtsov (F)
- Dryden Hunt (F)
- Julien Gauthier (F)
It should be noted that both Trouba and Lindgren were given maintenance days prior to their expected exclusion from the lineup. Both players will play on opening night.
As for Libor Hajek, it would be shocking if he wasn’t the 7th defenseman come the start of the season. It’s possible the Rangers want to have one last look at Matt Bartkowski, who is on a PTO, before releasing him.
The most interesting situation is Vitali Kravtsov. The 22 year-old former first round selection in 2018 had a decent 2021-22 campaign in the KHL with 13 points in 19 contests.
In the preseason, he’s struggled on the ice despite doing everything well off of it. He has one assist a -3 rating through 4 games.
This past summer, he signed a one-year, one-way deal with the Rangers but is no longer waivers exempt. If he were, he’d likely be starting the year in the AHL. Look for Kravtsov to win the job as the 13th forward and continue to work his way back into the starting lineup.
As for Dryden Hunt ad Julien Gauthier, both will likely be placed on waivers tomorrow. It’s possible Gauthier, who has an outstanding trade request, is moved before a late round pick before hitting the wire.
Jimmy Vesey will likely be turning his PTO into a standard contract by Sunday.
Final Cuts Expected to get to a 22-man roster:
- Matt Bartkowski
- Dryden Hunt
- Julien Gauthier
- Jarred Tinordi
New York Rangers preseason leaders
- Most Points: Mika Zibanejad, 4 (2G-2A)
- Most Goals: 5 players tied at 2
- Kaapo Kakko
- Chris Kreider
- Alexis Lafreniere
- K’Andre Miller
- Mika Zibanejad
- Most Shots: Filip Chytil, 17
- Best SV%: Igor Shesterkin, .923*
- Best GAA: Igor Shesterkin, 2.51*
*Min 60 minutes played
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