The Rangers dropped their final preseason game, 3-1 to the Islanders on Saturday. Kaapo Kakko, skating on the top line, notched the team's only goal in the loss. The Blueshirts outshot the Islanders 29-16, but did not look particularly good in the defeat. New York kicks off the season with an Eastern Conference Finals rematch against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
Game recap:
Lines:
Here’s how the #NYR will look tonight:
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 8, 2022
Kreider - Zib - Kakko
Panarin - Trocheck - Vesey
Laf - Chytil - Goodrow
Blais - Carpenter - Reaves
Miller - Fox
Jones - Schneider
Tinordi - Bartkowski
Igor
Halak
The takeaways from above and tonight are : - The 12 forwards that played tonight are likely the 12 that will be in the Opening night lineup, though Sammy Blais' injury could change that. If this is the case. Kakko remains on the top line, Jimmy Vesey makes the team off his PTO (update: one-year contract for $750K signed on Sunday) and is on the second trio, though that is in pencil not ink, and Laf starts the year next to Filip Chytil. - Dryden Hunt, Julien Gauthier and Vitali Kravtsov are all on the bubble with Kravtsov the probable 13th forward, since no way the team loses him for nothing. If they go with 14 forwards, then I project Hunt to get that spot, Gauthier has more talent, Hunt is a better fit and the Rangers hopefully are exploring trade possibilities. (update: Jarred Tinordi and Julien Gauthier were placed on waivers Sunday. I would be surprised if Gauthier passes through, maybe Arizona claims him. As of Sunday at 2pm, Dryden Hunt was still on the roster and New York could open with a 14F/7D/2G alignment, though Blais' status and extent of his injury have yet to be determined) - Blais left the game after logging only 3:22 time on ice. The Rangers labeled it an upper-body injury and ruled the 26-year-old forward out for the remainder of the game. Blais will be evaluated Sunday and Monday. If he can't go, and as long as he is not placed on injured reserve, look for Kravtsov to slot on the third line with Goodrow moved down to the fourth line to replace Blais. - Ryan Lindgren (lower-body injury) and Jacob Trouba (upper-body injury) did not play Saturday, but both are expected to be ready for Tuesday. In their stead, Jarred Tinordi and Mark Bartkowski dressed while Libor Hajek sat. Zac Jones is pretty much locked in as the sixth d-man and I expect Hajek to be the one extra, especially since he would have to pass through waivers to be sent down.
As a reminder, I am out of pocket beginning tonight to Tuesday night this week and next for the remainder of the Jewish holidays. This info is being posted at the bottom of almost every blog over the next few weeks so that everyone remains in the loop.