Rangers vs. Islanders: 3 things to watch for in preseason home opener
After skating to a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins in their first preseason game Sunday at TD Garden, the New York Rangers are back home to host the New York Islanders on Tuesday.
Unlike Sunday, when they dressed only six players expected to be on the opening-night roster, the Rangers will load up with regulars at Madison Square Garden against the Islanders.
That group will be led by Filip Chytil, who had a goal and an assist in the victory against the Bruins. Defenseman Victor Mancini, who also had two points (goal, assist) Sunday, will not play Tuesday.
The Islanders won their first preseason game Sunday, knocking off the New Jersey Devils 4-2. Former Rangers forward Julien Gauthier scored for the Islanders, who also received one goal apiece from captain Anders Lee, forward Simon Holmstrom and undrafted free agent Camden Thiesing.
Semyon Varlamov is expected to start in goal Tuesday for the Islanders. He didn’t play in the first preseason game. Ilya Sorokin, who was a Vezina Trophy finalist two seasons ago, has not skated in training camp yet following offseason back surgery.
Related: Matthew Robertson sidelined by injury, could hurt slim chance to make Rangers roster
3 things to watch for when Rangers host Islanders in preseason game at MSG
So, let’s break down three things to watch for Tuesday night.
1. Filip Chytil back in lineup with new wings on his line
The Rangers weren’t kidding when they said Filip Chytil was a “full-go” in training camp after playing only 10 regular-season games and six more in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season because of a head injury.
After dominating the action Sunday against the Bruins, the 25-year-old center is right back in there against the Islanders 48 hours later. He’s one of only three Rangers expected to play in each of the first two preseason games, along with forwards Brennan Othmann and Jake Leschyshyn.
In fact, Othmann will skate on a line with Chytil against the Islanders. Brett Berard will make his preseason debut to round out that line. It’s a big opportunity for Hartford’s top two goal-scorers from a year ago to catch the eye of the coaching staff.
Chytil skated with Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle on Sunday. That’s the expected third line for the Rangers this season. But Tuesday is a chance for Othmann and/or Berard to shine.
2. First look at Reilly Smith on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider
Reilly Smith will make his Rangers debut of sorts Tuesday, after the 33-year-old forward was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins this summer. Smith gets first crack at playing right wing with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, trying to fill a hole that has largely been there for the past three seasons and was difficult to fill last season when the Rangers cycled through Blake Wheeler, Jimmy Vesey, Jack Roslovic, Kaakko and Chytil, among others, without much success.
Smith is a savvy veteran, proven goal-scorer, solid two-way player and Stanley Cup champion. He won’t be fazed by playing with 93 and 20, nor that so many others have failed to find chemistry with those two.
But it’ll be interesting how he interacts with them in their first game action Tuesday.
3. Turn Matt Rempe loose
The MSG faithful have waited three months to see their hero Matt Rempe play in a game. The wait ends Tuesday. Rempe will skate on the fourth line with Adam Edstrom and Leschyshyn.
The popular forward has had a strong start to camp. MSG Network analyst Dave Maloney said that the 6-foot-8 wrecking ball added 15 pounds of muscle this offseason and at least half a stride to his skating. Those could be difference makers for him as he battles Edstrom for a regular spot in the lineup this season.
It’s the preseason, so the Islanders may try to goad Rempe into a fight. That’s going to be a big test for the 22-year-old who’s out to prove he can be a trusted 200-foot player capable of playing 10 minutes or so a night.
Keep an eye on Edstrom, too. The 6-foot-7 forward scored three goals in two rookie games against the Philadelphia Flyers last week.
Rangers vs. Islanders preseason game: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders
Where: Madison Square Garden
When: Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch: MSG Network
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