The New York Rangers closed out their preseason by looking every bit like a team ready for the real thing.
With the expected opening night group on the ice against the New York Islanders’ non-regulars, the Rangers delivered a convincing 6-1 win on Friday after already beating the New Jersey Devils in a shootout on Thursday. This was the final tune-up before the games start counting, and New York used it to give Igor Shesterkin a full night while rolling out what should be its starting lineup.
The early stretch set the tone. New York jumped on the Islanders right away, scoring twice in the opening five minutes.
Oliver Bjorkstrand opened the scoring by stuffing home his first goal of the preseason, and J.T. Miller followed with a power-play finish.
For the Rangers, Miller’s goal offered exactly the kind of sign they wanted from their captain.
The second period turned the game into a rout. Tye Kartye scored his first of the preseason, and Will Cuylle kept building on his strong night from Thursday with another goal to make it 5-0 after two periods. The Rangers were moving the puck well, finishing chances, and looking sharp in all three zones.
Mika Zibanejad added another power-play goal in the third period to push the lead to 6-0 before Pierre Engvall prevented the shutout. Even with that late goal against, the Rangers still walked away with a result that matched the eye test. Adam Fox also piled up three assists.
It was the kind of performance New York wanted from its last preseason game: clean, decisive, and convincing. The Rangers now turn to their season opener on the road against the Boston Bruins.
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