Seven players are set to make their preseason debuts for the Rangers on Thursday night, and the spotlight is on a lineup that looks a lot closer to what New York expects to roll out when the games start to count.
The Blueshirts host the Devils at Madison Square Garden, with several of the forwards who figure to be regulars this season getting a look together. Will Cuylle, Noah Laba, Tye Kartye and Joe Veleno are all in the mix for bottom-six roles once the regular season opens Tuesday in Boston against the Bruins. Cuylle and Laba are projected to skate on the third line with Eeli Tolvanen next week, while Kartye and Veleno are expected on the fourth line.
Thursday’s preseason setup is a little different. Cuylle, Laba and Gabe Perreault are listed together on what appears to be New York’s top line, while Veleno and Kartye are joined by Matt Rempe - a grouping that could hint at how the Rangers open the year on the fourth line.
Joonas Korpisalo is also making his preseason debut after being acquired by the Rangers this summer in a trade with the Bruins. That gives New York an early chance to evaluate the veteran backup as he competes with 24-year-old Dylan Garand for the No. 2 job behind Igor Shesterkin. Garand, who is backing up Korpisalo on Thursday, turned in a strong performance in the preseason opener, stopping 28 of 31 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Devils in Newark on Monday.
On the blue line, minor-league defensemen William Trudeau and Marc Del Gaizo are also getting their first preseason action.
Liam Greentree is the one Ranger who has been in the lineup for every preseason game so far. The 20-year-old is appearing in his third straight game and has already picked up one assist, three shots on goal and one fight through his first two appearances.
Alberts Smits returns after a strong showing Tuesday in a 4-3 loss to the Islanders. The 18-year-old is still trying to earn a spot on the opening-night roster, and he’ll be paired with Scott Morrow, who is pushing to make the team as an extra defenseman.
Across the ice, Nico Daws gets the start in goal for a Devils group that is mostly a JV squad. Young defenseman Mikael Diotte is in the lineup, and his presence stands out because it was his hit that injured Rangers forward Adam Sykora on Monday. Sykora is out 4-5 months with a lower-body injury.
That could leave some room for fireworks. Will Rempe, Chmelar, Greentree, or another Ranger go after Diotte on Thursday? It’s a fair question, especially with Sykora so well liked in the room.
The Rangers are expected to use what should be their opening-night lineup again when they wrap up the preseason Friday against the Islanders at UBS Arena.
New York Rangers projected lineup
Will Cuylle - Noah Laba - Gabe Perreault
Liam Greentree - Cole Beaudoin - Jaroslav Chmelar
Tye Kartye - Joe Veleno - Matt Rempe
Nathan Aspinall - Glenn Gawdin - Anton Blidh
Alberts Smits - Scott Morrow
William Trudeau - Matthew Robertson
Drew Fortescue - Marc Del Gaizo
Joonas Korpisalo
Dylan Garand
Rangers vs. Devils: When, where, what time, how to watch
Who: New York Rangers New Jersey Devils
When: Thursday September 24 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: Madison Square Garden
How to watch: MSG
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