The Rangers open their pre-season tonight against the Bruins, As expected, most of the regulars will not suit up today. While the game is the first look at coach Peter Laviolette's system, the primary concern is for Mika Zibanjead, who was injured in the scrimmage this am.
PRESEASON GAME DAY. pic.twitter.com/fqbvJhTYyh
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 24, 2023
Those who took part in the morning scrimmage and won't play tonight are: Zibanejad, Kaapo Kakko, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Barclay Goodrow, Blake Wheeler, Nick Bonino, Tyler Pitlick, Ryan Lindgren, Adam Fox, Jacob Trouba, K'Andre Miller, Erik Gustafsson and Igor Shesterkin. The veterans in the lineup tonight are Filip Chytil, Alexis Lafreniere, Braden Schneider and Jimmy Vesey. Othmann likely would have been in the lineup but Will Cuylle will dress. Zac Jones and Matthew Robertson also get an initial chance to impress. Jonathan Quick and Louis Domingue will split time between the pipes.
GROUP ONE. pic.twitter.com/35KuSTAfg8
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 24, 2023
Vince Mercogliano noted in his column that Zibanejad may have been hit by a wayward stick and appeared to be clutching his right arm. Laviolette called him day-to-day in his post-practice press conference, but we all know how honest coaches etc. are about hockey injuries. The panic level certainly moves up a notch and will remain there or rise until we see Zib back on the ice and dress for a scrimmage or game.
Here's the latest on the Mika Zibanejad injury #NYR https://t.co/q2u23VNFop
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) September 24, 2023
Olof Lindblom, a questionable second round pick in 2018, was assigned to Hartford already. He played in the ECHL last season and should see some time with the Wolf Pack this year. Mild concern for Brennan Othmann and hopefully it truly it just is a day-to-day injury and not one that sidelines him a portion of camp.
UPDATE: The Rangers have assigned goaltender Olof Lindbom to the Hartford Wolf Pack. Brennan Othmann (upper body, day-to-day) will not practice today.
— NY Rangers PR (@NYR_PR) September 24, 2023