The Rangers fell to New Jersey 5-4 in their first preseason game Monday at MSG. New York was behind much of the game, but rallied to tie it at 4-4 before Adam Henrique beat Cam Talbot with 51.7 left in the third period for the game-winner. As we all know, in a preseason game, the end result matters little. What's more important is the player evaluation, especially since the first round of cuts will take place after Friday's game against the Blackhawks.

A few quick thoughts:

JT Miller continued his strong play in camp with had a pair of assists and a blocked shot. Included in his ledger was a poor turnover but he showed good vision and made a nice pass to Ryan Malone for his PP goal. Miller is the early, odds-on favorite to open the season as the team's third line center.

Kevin Hayes struggled early, as he was on for a pair of Devils goals. But he rebounded to have a solid rest of the game, especially in the third period. Hayes likely could use some time in Hartford, but his size and skill could keep him around to begin the season somewhere in the bottom-six.

Ryan Malone notched a PPG, which could be a specialty role he fills, but the key question is on which line would he be a fit? In addition, his lack of speed is very evident, but his size and physical play, coupled with his ability and willingness to take punishment in front of the net is something New York needs.

Chris Kreider looks primed to have a monster year. His decision making is a step quicker than in the past plus he now seems comfortable with using his size to create. I could see him on either of the top-two lines, depending on where Rick Nash best fits.

Carl Hagelin carried forward his fine postseason play into the first pre-season game. His confidence level is so much higher. I still think he can grab 20-25 goals, even on a third line, especially if with Miller and maybe Hayes or Stempniak.

Jesper Fast had a heck of a snipe. With all the other names in camp, Fast gets lost in the mix, but he still has the talent to play a bottom-six role in the NHL. The question is will it be on the Rangers this year and/or moving forward, due to the depth in the organization?
Matthew Lombardi didn't have the best return to the NHL last night. It's early and he will get more chances to show he can stick, but with others in camp that can fill a similar role, it may be getting late, early for him.

Mike Kostka (RH) and Matt Hunwick (LH) failed to do much to show that one of them should open the season as the team's extra d-man. The Rangers D as a whole struggled, but those two kind of stood out. Kostka is bigger but less agile than Hunwick, and his inability to recover quickly, cost him on Reid Boucher's goal. Hunwick had moments but failed to clear the front of the net, resulting in Michael Ryder's tip-in marker. Conor Allen could be a fit as the extra d-man, but he is better served playing daily in Hartford, unless he beats out John Moore, which is unlikely.

Henrik Lundqvist allowed goals on his first two shots faced. He stopped 11 of 13 while Cam Talbot stopped 16 of 19. The D in front of each wasn't great. Hank was beaten on a pair of deflections while Eric Gelinas had a howitzer past Talbot, so hard to fault him there but game-winner was a weak goal.

Penalty kill concerns me a bit, especially without Brian Boyle. Dominic Moore was out, so that's a factor and jury is up in the air on Tanner Glass there. If NY struggles on PK, I can see Boyle's name getting brought up a lot.

With Derek Stepan, Derick Brassard, Kreider, Nash, Martin St. Louis, Mats Zuccarello and Hagelin set, that covers seven of the top nine slots. Assuming Miller and Hayes fill out the third line, you just have the fourth line left. Dominic Moore is a lock, Tanner Glass likely gets one spot and then it's up in the air, and that leaves the rebuilt fourth line, which will be Dominic Moore in the middle, Glass on the left and another veteran, most likely, on the right.

Quick update on my schedule: will get a blog up tomorrow leading into Friday's game. I am then out starting Wednesday afternoon through Saturday night for Rosh Hashana and the Sabbath. The next blog should be Sunday, which probably will cover the first round of cuts.

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