The New York Rangers may have already started showing their hand for Opening Night.
After dropping their first two preseason games, the Rangers got into the win column Thursday night with a victory over the New Jersey Devils. Now they’re set to face the New York Islanders in their final preseason game, and the lineup could be giving away a lot about how the roster will look when the regular season opens against the Boston Bruins.
With the season only a few days away and a condensed offseason finally wrapping up, the Rangers still had some lingering questions to answer after a busy summer. But Friday’s projected group looks a lot like a dress rehearsal.
“Chmelař, Raddysh, Morrow and Robertson look like the scratches. Shaping up to be full dress rehearsal with the likely opening-night lineup going tonight in LI. #NYR https://t.co/QAc1Nfd0hk”
One of the clearest clues comes on the blue line, where fifth overall pick Albert Smits appears set to skate with Braden Schneider. Smits entered the organization as one of the most NHL-ready prospects in the class, and that reputation has only grown as the preseason has gone on. He has shown the ability to carry the puck and has looked increasingly confident every time he’s been on the ice.
Up front, Matt Rempe also seems to have the inside track for the starting right-wing spot on the fourth line. He would be lined up with Joe Veleno and Tye Kartye, the same trio that was together in Thursday’s win over the Devils. Rempe helped his case there with an assist and eight hits.
Coach Sullivan isn’t looking for that fourth line to light up the scoreboard. What he wants is a group that defends hard and can be trusted. If Rempe, Veleno and Kartye stay together again Friday, that would be another strong sign that the decision has already been made.
There’s still a little room for things to shift, but this final preseason game looks like the last tune-up before the real thing. And if this is the opening-night lineup, the Rangers seem set to head into the season with plenty of intrigue.
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