Tonight is Game 2 of the preseason at The Garden. Hopefully, it’s better than the eye sore from Monday.
The Rangers host the Devils at 33rd and 7th. I think this is the third exhibition for New Jersey. Maybe Hasan can confirm that later. Unfortunately, their number one overall pick Nico Hischier won’t be playing. I haven’t even checked to see who’s in. I know Cory Schneider will get a couple of periods.
Both Hudson rivals won the other night. The Rangers on Neal Pionk’s Denis Savard spin-o-rama 1-0 over the Islanders in overtime. The Devils by a count of 4-1 over the Caps- highlighted by a breakaway goal from Hischier. Wait to see the impact the dynamic Swiss has in the regular season.
The Rangers are dressing a mostly new lineup. Kevin Shattenkirk makes his first appearance in Broadway Blue. At the very least, we’ll get a taste of what he can add to the power play. Brady Skjei pairs up with him. Not a bad option without Ryan McDonagh.
Most notably, it’ll be the debut of 2017 first round pick Filip Chytil. A lanky Czech who is still learning English. He speaks well enough in interviews. But has leaned on Jimmy Vesey and countryman Ondrej Pavelec to find out about the system. I can’t wait to see how he looks. I’m actually excited to be at a preseason game.
Lias Andersson will play again too. After how well he acquitted himself Monday, there’s enthusiasm from both fans and coach Alain Vigneault. If he continues to impress, he could make the competition for final spots on the fourth line moot.
Andrew Desjardins gets another look on the third line with Andersson and Adam Tambellini. Kevin Hayes anchors the second with Vesey and Ryan Gropp. Vigneault is trying Chytil on the top line with Chris Kreider and Mats Zuccarello. Here are the projected lines:
Henrik Lundqvist gets his first action. Alexander Georgiev gets a chance to show what he can do. He’s in competition with Brandon Halverson for the starting job in Hartford.
Here are th Devils lines for the game:
Pavel Zacha, Adam Henrique and Damon Severson are notables. Youngsters Blake Speers, Mike McLeod, Josh Jacobs and Colton White will also dress. Mackenzie Blackwood will see some action behind Schneider.
Well, it’s time to go. I can finally head up. It’s gonna feel weird to be here. But yeah. Full review later.
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It’s the 2nd of 7 games for us (including a split squad and that Hockeyville game with Ottawa next week). Funny thing is I was at the preseason game the other night where Hischer deked out the Cap scrubs in the third period, about as excited as I’ve ever gotten for a preseason goal lol. But now I’m back to let’s just get the preseason over with, nothing else that happens in the preseason’s gonna be better than that moment anyway š
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That was my level of excitement with Chytil (Hi-till). It’s so hard to pronounce because I always forget. We left at the 10:00 mark. Preseason and the second period dragged. These faceoff violation penalties are annoying.
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I wanted to walk out after the first period of the preseason game last week because it was taking forever lol. The game was over at 9:45. Preseason hockey should be quicker than the regular season (a la baseball/football) not slower š
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