The first New York Rangers (preseason) win is in, as the Blueshirts come out on top against the Boston Bruins 3-2. A much more spirited effort than the first game against the Islanders, the Rangers started out great, looked a lot stronger on the puck and cleaner in their passing. After a scoreless first period, the Rangers got on the board with an Anthony Bitetto goal off a beautiful feed from Artemi Panarin. Four minutes later, Artemi Panarin was back at it again, feeding Kaapo Kakko back door to make it a 2-0 game. Jack Studnicka would cut the lead in half later and then towards the end of the second it was Urho Vaakanainen with a rocket of a shot to tie the game up at two. Side note, how fun of a name is Urho Vaakanainen? Anyway, with a minute left in the second, Artemi Panarin found himself on a breakaway and put it away to take the lead back and collect his third point of the night. After a scoreless third, they were on their feet at the Garden and prospect Tyler Wall was getting helmet taps on his brilliantly done, “The Wall” themed goalie mask.
The Highlights
Obviously, that top line of Panarin/Strome/Kakko looked stellar. Artemi Panarin played like the superstar he is, being an active part of all three of the Rangers goals. Kaapo Kakko showed some swagger very early pulling off that toe drag through the legs move and very visibility looks bigger and better going into this season. It’s going to be very exciting to see what could very well be his breakout year. Ryan Strome had at least one good chance on the back door but couldn’t get enough on the shot. Nevertheless, that has the potential to be one of the best second lines in the league this year.
Lauri Pajuniemi had a pretty strong game and came close when he ripped a shot off the crossbar in the third period. While it’s unlikely he makes the team out of camp, assuming he reports to Hartford, he has great potential to make some noise in the AHL this season. His development is certainly noticeable, and is something to keep an eye on without question. Sammy Blais had a good, physical game and did a great job of showing fans the kind of role he will bring to the team this season. Not to mention, the Rangers had him out on the power play which was moving the puck pretty well throughout the evening. On the topic of role guys, Ryan Reaves looked very good as well and something I noticed was just how good his hands are. Obviously not in the same caliber as a guy like Patrick Kane or anything, but for the type of player Ryan is, he can handle the puck pretty darn well.
Tough Decisions on Defense
What was once upon a time one of the bigger concerns for the organization, the Rangers are all of a sudden flooded with talented defensemen. Braden Schneider and Zac Jones looked excellent out there. Schneider was throwing the body around like this was his third preseason with the team and Jones was playing like he was competing for a top 4 spot let alone six or seven. Am I crazy to think if they keep it up they’d be giving Nils Lundkvist and Patrik Nemeth a run for their money? Realistically, Schneider and Jones will probably be one of the best defense pairings in the AHL, and down the road the Rangers are going to have even tougher decisions on who’s a part of the team for the long haul, and who’s better as trade bait.
On top of them, Anthony Bitetto had a fairly strong game and was the one that got us on the board after all. With an even hotter take, am I crazy to think the Rangers might carry eight defensemen to start the season? Obviously Lundkvist and Nemeth are likely to be the third pairing. The Rangers didn’t sign Jarred Tinordi to send him to Hartford, and considering how well liked Anthony Bitetto is and how solid of a night he had, it’s becoming a bit challenging to picture him in Hartford as well. What if Bitetto can be like a Brendan Smith where in a pinch he plays the wing on the fourth line? He clearly proved if he gets a good pass he can put the puck in the net. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a good idea but it’s certainly an option that can’t be ruled out. Who might benefit more in Hartford, Anthony Bitetto or Julien Gauthier? Regardless, it’s going to be interesting to see how this opening night roster plans out.
Training Camp Updates
Prior to last night's game, the Rangers assigned three more guys to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Tanner Fritz, Austin Rueschhoff and Tarmo Reunanen. Not many surprises there, Fritz was brought in as an AHL signing anyway, Austin Rueschhoff is a big man but still far away from cracking an NHL roster, and the numbers are just against Tarmo Reunanen. It’ll be interesting to see what his future holds with the crowded Rangers blueline. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers look to bundle him in a trade package if he fits the description, otherwise expect him to stay with the Wolf Pack until the teams part ways.
There was only one cut following last night's game, Justin Richards will also report to Hartford. I believe it was Vince Mercogliano who said the Rangers were once higher than you’d expect on the former U.M.D Bulldog, however with all the change in management, that very well may have been a thing of the past as it seems they’ve seen enough from him in that one game. I’d still keep an eye on him in the minors and see what he brings to the Wolf Pack this season.
Where To Go From Here?
Two games in and we saw a good chunk of the players left in training camp perform. Ty Ronning, Anthony Greco, Mason Geertsen, Matthew Robertson and Keith Kinkaid are the long five names left on the roster who have yet to play. With that in mind, I would expect they get a look in game three and it’ll be interesting to see who the Rangers decide to put out there against the Devils on Friday Night. For fun, I’ll play the role of the coaching staff and throw together some lines I’d like to see in game three of preseason:
Lafreniere - Zibanejad - Kakko
Kreider - Chytil - Kravtsov
Goodrow - Barron - Greco
Gettinger - McKegg - Ronning
Jones - Fox
Tinordi - Lundkvist
Geertsen - Schneider
I’m not sure exactly what the Rangers will do with the goalies or how far we are from having goalies play the whole game. I’d definitely have Kinkaid play in this game and if they want to put one of Huska, Wall or Georgiev in for the second half by all means. I think when there’s three games left in preseason I’d let Kinkaid, Georgiev and Sheshterkin all have a full game to themselves. It’s obvious Sheshterkin is our guy and I don’t really think the backup goalie gig is up for grabs. Word on the street is the idea of teams carrying three goalies is still up in the air so it’ll be interesting to see how that plays out.
I definitely want to see those five guys that haven’t played yet get in for a game. I didn’t plug Robertson in just because I’m not sure if he’s ready to go just yet given his injury situation. I like the idea of having both Lundkvist and Schneider in the lineup considering their kind of battling for that spot on the third pairing. I think regardless, after the back to back games this weekend major cuts are definitely coming and by Monday we’ll have more clarity on how this roster is going to pan out.
Chris Feldman
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