3 Rangers takeaways from 5-2 preseason win against Bruins
Make it three preseason games and three preseason wins for the New York Rangers after they defeated the Boston Bruins 5-2 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. Sure, it’s the preseason. But winning is always better than losing. And the Rangers keep racking up Ws.
This one was less dramatic — and angst filled — than their 6-4 victory over the Islanders on Tuesday. That one required a six-goal third period and comebacks from 3-0 and 4-1 down. It also included Ryan Lindgren’s lower-body injury, which will sideline him several weeks, and injury scares for Artemi Panarin and Filip Chytil.
It was pretty much all Rangers on Thursday. They never trailed, pulling away with two late first-period goals to grab a 3-1 lead. It was a largely efficient victory, the Rangers’ second in the preseason against the Bruins, who remain without holdout goalie Jeremy Swayman and captain Brad Marchand, who’s just getting back on ice after three offseason surgeries.
“I thought the compete was really good tonight, we got out to a lead … I thought it was a much better start (than Tuesday),” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said postgame.
Related: Rangers injury update: Artemi Panarin returns to practice Thursday
3 takeaways from Rangers vs. Bruins preseason game
Here are three important takeaways from the Rangers preseason win against the Bruins on Thursday.
1. The kids are alright
The younger players in the Rangers lineup Thursday stood out, even those who didn’t make it on to the score sheet. Topping that list was Brennan Othmann, who scored a gorgeous goal, added a slick assist, agitated the Bruins all night and reminded the Rangers why he’s such an important part of their future.
The 21-year-old forward has played each preseason game, so far, and this was by far his best all-around effort. It was a great sign to see him rebound quickly after a subpar showing against the Islanders. He displayed smarts, power, speed and high-end skills, capitalizing on a Nikita Zadorov giveaway in the neutral zone and turning into a breakaway goal in the first period.
Victor Mancini played another strong game, showing the Rangers again what a solid two-way defenseman he is. The 22-year-old logged 20:01 of ice time, had two excellent scoring chances, and really shined in his own end of the rink. In fact, it was his solid defensive play that sent the Rangers the other way on what ended with a goal by Jonny Brodzinski (off good work behind the net, and a neat pass, by Othmann) in the second period. His third-period holding penalty was a minor (no pun intended) blemish on a strong night.
While Othmann and Mancini remain long shots to crack the opening-night roster, Zac Jones and Will Cuylle will be in the starting lineup. But they’re still kids, too, and each had a strong game Thursday. Cuylle, 22, was a physical force — credited with five hits — and was involved offensively with his skilled linemates Kaapo Kakko and Chytil. Jones, 23, looked confident moving the puck, and displayed a high compete level defending in his own end, which is not considered a strong suit for him.
2. Connor Mackey doesn’t ace first test with partner Adam Fox
Not everything went swimmingly for the Rangers in their latest preseason win. The Connor Mackey-Adam Fox defense pairing did not exactly calm nerves that the Rangers will weather Lindgren’s extended absence without issue.
Where Jones, for example, seemed assured handling the puck, Mackey did not. The 28-year-old, who has 40 games of NHL experience, also couldn’t contain Bruins forward prospect Brett Harrison on Boston’s first goal. Of course, that play was set up by a Fox turnover near his own blue line, so it wasn’t all Mackey’s fault.
But this pair just didn’t seem to click. To be fair, they practiced together for the first time Wednesday, so could get better moving forward. Mackey projects as more of a bottom-pair or seventh defenseman in the big picture, so perhaps moving K’Andre Miller up is the best option here. And don’t discount right-shots Mancini and Chad Ruhwedel to get looks on the left side. Plus Ben Harpur, another bottom-pair option, is in the mix, too.
3. By the numbers
Here are some interesting numbers off of the 5-2 win Thursday, starting with Kreider. The 33-year-old forward has hit the ground sprinting. After a three-point (two goals, assist) game Tuesday, Kreider was a force again against the Bruins, scoring his third goal and adding another assist.
His goal was a classic Kreider deflection. The assist was gorgeous pass, making a quick decision after collecting a rebound to slide a pass to the wide-open Fox for a 5-on-3 power-play goal, instead of trying to hammer the rebound home himself.
Brodzinski scored his first goal of the preseason and was second on the Rangers with six shots on goal, one behind Kakko. But the 31-year-old struggled mightily in the face-off circle, losing all seven of his draws.
Adam Edstrom was credited with four hits and scored his second goal in as many preseason games. He also had three goals in two rookie games, as he makes a case to land a spot on the opening-night roster.
Third-string goalie Louis Domingue was outstanding, playing the third period in relief of Jonathan Quick. Domingue stopped all 12 shots he faced, including a string of Grade-A chances, when the Rangers defense turned sloppy.
More About:New York Rangers News