The Rangers are down to one more preseason tune-up before the real thing starts Tuesday, and Friday’s matchup with the Islanders should give a pretty clear look at what New York plans to roll out on Opening Night.
After dropping the first meeting between these teams at home, the Rangers get a quick shot at payback. That loss stung in a very specific way: New York had built a 3-0 lead, only to watch the Islanders storm back with four straight goals and steal the game. The penalty kill was a major culprit, with the Islanders scoring on three of five chances.
Now the focus shifts to wrapping up the preseason and turning the page toward Boston, where the Rangers open the regular season. With camp and exhibition play moving fast, the group hasn’t had a lot of time to settle in around the new faces added this summer, but the lineup picture has started to come into focus.
Friday’s game should mostly serve as a preview of the roster the Rangers intend to use when the games count. One of the clearer signs comes on defense, where Alberts Smits is expected to skate with Braden Schneider again. That pairing strongly suggests the fifth overall pick is set to make the roster and be in the lineup to begin his career.
There’s also a notable decision at forward. Matt Rempe is set to skate on the fourth line with Tye Kartye and Joe Veleno, which makes it look increasingly likely he has locked down that wing spot.
Igor Shesterkin is expected to play the full game, and with the Islanders likely using plenty of players who won’t be NHL regulars, this is a matchup the Rangers should be positioned to handle.
Even with the short runway, New York appears to have done a solid job sorting out its lines and sticking with them. The movement has been limited, the picture has stayed steady, and the Rangers seem as prepared as they can be heading into the season opener.
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The milestone would arrive early in the season if he stays in the lineup, giving Cizikas a chance to hit it while still doing the kind of work the Islanders have always asked of him. For a player who has built his career on consistency and team-first responsibility, the personal marker is nice, but the bigger question is how much he can still help shape the Islanders' success once the puck drops for real. [Read more 🡒]