It’s finally here, the 2021-22 New York Rangers season opener. The Blueshirts kick off their season with a road trip to Washington in a highly anticipated match up not just by the teams respective fans, but by hockey fans in general. The entire hockey world is aware of the narrative between the Rangers and Capitals that is being carried from last season and the expectation is this game will pick up where these teams left off. Especially with all of the Rangers off season additions that made them a tougher team that may or may not have directly related to the events that occurred toward the end of last season between the two teams.
So for the million dollar question, should we expect fight night round two? Yes and no. There’s so much going into this game, you have to think there’s going to be at least one brawl, probably between Reaves and Wilson to “set the tone” or perhaps “settle the score” of last season. The Rangers have a chip on their shoulder after last season and they’re ready to prove that they’re not a team that’s going to get bodied around all season. I would absolutely expect a physical presence from this Rangers team tonight but I wouldn’t say it’s fair to expect another line brawl and one hundred plus penalty minutes. Then again, you never know.
Washington Expectations:
For the most part, we can expect a pretty identical Washington Capitals team from last season, although they will be without a key piece. Niklas Backstrom was placed on LTIR due to a hip situation. On top of that, Alex Ovechkin may also be questionable going into today as he was banged up in preseason and is dealing with a lower body injury. Backstrom is already a huge loss but if the Capitals are without Ovie to start the season, they could be in trouble out the gate. As far as the top line goes, Kuznetsov fills in for Backstrom and of course, Tom Wilson is projected on the right. By proxy, Lars Eller moves to the second line with Daniel Sprong and Anthony Mantha. Rookie Hendrix Lapierre will play in the middle of Conor Cheary and Tj Oshie on the third line and the fourth line is the same as it was when Kevin Rooney, Colin Blackwell and Di Giuseppe were squaring up for a line brawl at the end of last season. (Hageln - Dowd - Hathaway.)
On the back end, it’s pretty reminiscent of last season, Carlsson with Fehervary, Orlov and Jensen, Kempny and Schultz. Ilya Samsonov likely to get the start with Vitek Vanecek, who Washington lost to Seattle but decided to trade right back for, backing him up. For the team as a whole, expect business as usual. The Capitals are still looking to contend, and as a division rival, the Rangers are going to want to be able to compete with them right from the jump. If there’s going to be fights, get them out of the way early and zone in on winning the game.
For the Rangers, it’s clear they’re going with a more experienced, tougher line up. Assuming Strome and Reaves are both good to go, expect the following:
Lafreniere - Zibanejad - Kreider
Panarin - Strome - Kakko
Goodrow - Chytil - Blais
Hunt - Rooney - Reaves
Lindgren - Fox
Miller - Trouba
Tinordi - Nemeth
Sheshterkin
Georgiev
It’s crucial the Rangers get off to a good start this season. Wins are always easier to get in the beginning of the year versus the end of it, they can’t get caught up in the narratives or the emotion behind this match up, they have to go in and come out with a win. Chris Kreider said it perfectly in an interview following practice yesterday, “it’s two points.” Two points the Rangers have to get if they’re serious about putting the rebuild behind them and going for a win now mentality. If history has taught us anything, expect Patrik Nemeth to score the first goal of the Rangers season.
Chris Feldman
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