Rangers vs. Islanders: 3 things to watch for in final preseason game
Just five days away from their 2024-25 regular-season opener, the New York Rangers close out their preseason schedule Friday night at UBS Arena against the Islanders. Though preseason records mean nothing, the Rangers have won four of five contests so far with a variety of different lineups.
Their wildest preseason win was against these very same Islanders. Back on Sept. 24, the Rangers were down 3-0 after two periods and rallied from 4-1 down in the third for a 6-4 victory.
Adam Edstrom scored the game winner on a deflection with less than a minute to play, and Chris Kreider and Zac Jones each scored two goals in that one. All three will be in the lineup Friday.
However, that game also saw defenseman Ryan Lindgren go down with an upper-body injury. Star forward Artemi Panarin also left in the third period with a lower-body injury. Neither will play for the Rangers in this rematch; Panarin sustained another lower-body injury Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils.
The Islanders are 3-2-0, thrilled with the play of Mathew Barzal (three goals) and excited about rookie forward Maxim Tsyplakov. They’re also hopeful that goalie Ilya Sorokin could be back in the lineup soon after missing most of training camp following offseason back surgery. He’s returned to practice and may even be ready for opening night next week.
Related: Rangers continue to trim roster, assign Bo Groulx to AHL Hartford
3 things to watch for when Rangers visit Islanders in preseason finale
Here are three things to watch for Friday night.
1. Opportunity knocks
With Panarin out, Brennan Othmann gets an opportunity to skate on a line with Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere. A strong showing by the 21-year-old, who has four points (one goal, three assists) this preseason, could see him land in the top six on opening night if Panarin is not healthy enough to play.
It’s also a chance for Lafreniere to show what damage he can do on the power play. He’ll replace Panarin on the PP1 unit and play alongside Kreider, Trocheck, Mika Zibanejad and Adam Fox.
And let’s not forget defenseman Matthew Robertson. He missed most of camp and all of the preseason to this point with a lower-body injury. But he’s back and will get a look on the left side of Braden Schneider, as the Rangers try to decide how to best replace Lindgren in the lineup.
2. Dress rehearsal
Rangers coach Peter Laviolette is by and large going with his opening-night lineup Friday for the only time in the preseason. Of course, he’d prefer Panarin to be able to play Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Nos. 6 and 7 defensemen still need to be decided upon.
But you’ll see Zibanejad with Kreider and Reilly Smith; Filip Chytil will center for Kaapo Kakko and Will Cuylle; and Sam Carrick will be between Matt Rempe and Edstrom, with Jimmy Vesey out a few weeks with a lower-body injury.
The defense combinations might still be in flux, but regulars K’Andre Miller, Jacob Trouba, Fox, Jones and Schneider will all play. As will No. 1 goalie Igor Shesterkin.
3. Foxy pairing
Since Lindgren was hurt, the Rangers have experimented with several different defense partners for Fox. He’s played or practiced with Connor Mackey and Victor Mancini, and now gets the chance to pair with Miller against the Islanders.
This is a very intriguing tandem, featuring New York’s two most skilled defensemen. They’ve been teammates for years, but have spent limited time on the ice together since Fox is typically with Lindgren 5v5 and Miller has spent most of young NHL career alongside Trouba. This is an experiment that most certainly could extend into the regular season, until Lindgren returns.
The other pairs will be Jones with Trouba, and Robertson with Schneider.
Rangers vs. Islanders preseason game: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers vs New York Islanders
Where: UBS Arena
When: Friday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. ET
How to Watch: MSG
Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results
More About:New York Rangers News