3 Rangers takeaways from 5-4 preseason win in Devils rematch
The New York Rangers took care of business Tuesday, defeating a JV squad representing the New Jersey Devils 5-4 at Madison Square Garden. The win improved New York’s preseason record to 4-1-0, with one exhibition game remaining, Friday at the Islanders.
There was plenty of good, and some bad, from the latest victory. On the bright side, 11 different skaters recorded at least one point for the Rangers, who had five players light the lamp against the Devils.
The downer could be a blip or a bigger issue. Star forward Artemi Panarin left in the first period with a lower-body injury and didn’t return. It could be a precautionary move, but that’s now two preseason games Panarin started but didn’t finish, each time with a lower-body issue.
“When a player leaves a game, it’s always a concern,” coach Peter Laviolette said postgame.
Stay tuned. Opening night is a week away, when the Rangers face-off with the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena on Oct. 9. They’re already without defenseman Ryan Lindgren (upper body) and forward Jimmy Vesey (lower body), which the Rangers should be able to manage short term. But an extended absence by Panarin would be a major hit for the Rangers to absorb.
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3 takeaways from Rangers’ 5-4 preseason win against Devils
Here are three important takeaways from the game on Tuesday.
1. There might be opening-night fit for Brennan Othmann
Brennan Othmann is the only Rangers player to appear in each of the five preseason games, so far. There’s a reason for that. The 21-year-old forward is the top prospect in camp, one who who was their first-round draft pick in 2021 and scored 21 goals as a rookie pro with Hartford of the American Hockey League last season.
The Rangers are taking a good long look at the kid. At first, that was likely to see if he’d be a viable call-up after the season started. But now, with the latest Panarin injury, the Rangers must be seriously considering Othmann for a spot on the opening-night roster.
Othmann had his second two-point game of the preseason, with a pair of primary assists, Tuesday. He has four points (one goal, three assists) overall and has displayed a physical side the Rangers most assuredly like. He’s been inconsistent, for sure, but if Panarin is out for a bit, it’d make sense for Othmann to get his feet wet in the NHL. That could be a third-line role if Kaapo Kakko (goal on Tuesday) or Will Cuylle moves up, or even a top-six one in Panarin’s place, though that is less likely.
2. These players continue to impress
Adam Edstrom continued his terrific preseason with his third goal, this one banging in his own rebound after driving to the net in the second period. He tied for the team-high with four shots on goal, was a towering net-front presence on the second power-play unit and also killed penalties. With Vesey hurt, Edstrom should have an opening-night roster spot locked up by now.
Victor Mancini also continued to impress. The 22-year-old defenseman scored his second preseason goal — a snipe from right wing after a deft move around a Devils defender — and fit in nicely skating 18:25 on a pair with Zac Jones. Could he break camp as the 7th defenseman or flip to the left side in Lindgren’s spot? The kid didn’t hurt his chances Tuesday night.
Brett Berard is a long shot to make the roster and is likely ticketed for Hartford, where he scored 25 goals last season. But the 22-year-old forward played his strongest all-around preseason game Tuesday, and with Panarin’s murky situation, who knows if there’s a chance for Berard to stick? He was all over the ice against the Devils, picking up an assist, posting a plus-2 rating, being credited with three hits, four shots on goal and eight shot attempts, while logging more than 15 minutes of ice time.
It needs to be mentioned that Jones again played a strong game. There’s no question he’ll be in the top six on defense this season, but he has the looks of a big contributor too. Jones plays with confidence and a high level of skill, and that was all on display Tuesday. He finished with two assists and now has five points (two goals, three assists) in three preseason games.
“His camp has been good. Certainly he’s been noticeable offensively,” Laviolette noted.
3. Fight Night at the Garden
There were three fights Tuesday, and not one of them involved Matt Rempe. That’s not to say the 6-foot-8 wrecking ball went unnoticed out there. Rempe had a game-high seven hits and appeared close to dropping the gloves in the second period, though ultimately didn’t.
Veteran center Sam Carrick did drop the gloves, though, engaging in a first-period scrap with Mike Hardman. A fourth line with Carrick, Rempe and Edstrom just might be an absolute physical nightmare to play against this season.
Bo Groulx jumped in and fought the hulking Jackson Van De Leest after Cuylle absorbed a hard hit in the first period. Give Groulx, who signed this summer as a free agent, an “A” for effort here. More importantly, he notched a pair of assists in a solid showing.
Connor Mackey also dropped the mitts Tuesday, a third-period fight with Nathan Legare. Mackey, who’s in the mix vying for a spot on defense following the Lindgren injury, also scored his first preseason goal, a quick shot from left wing that hit and the post and went in.
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