New York Rangers Fans Get the First Look at Reilly Smith’s Preseason Game vs. Islanders – The Hockey Writers – New York Rangers

Tonight (Sept. 24) the New York Rangers will play their first preseason home game against the New York Islanders. Coming off a 3-2 win against the Boston Bruins, the Rangers will have a new look tonight, featuring several NHL players as they prepare for the upcoming season.

According to Vince Mercogliano, the Rangers lineup tonight will be:

Forward

First look at Reilly Smith

Tonight will give Rangers fans their first look at the Kreider-Zibanejad-Smith line, a combination the team hopes will spark a potent scoring duo. Since the Rangers traded for Pavel Buchnevich, Kreider and Zibanejad have consistently struggled to produce at even strength, despite several right wing players being rotated into their lineup. Smith, an offseason trade acquisition, is the latest to be given the role.

The Rangers hope Smith’s style will mesh with the veteran forward and lead to immediate chemistry. However, if the trio fails to connect, it could lead to serious discussions about separating Kreider and Zibanejad, as has been a common feature in many combinations that have not met expectations. The pressure is on to find a solution early in the season.

Panarin, Trocheck, and Lafreniere Set for Preseason Debut

The Rangers’ top line from last season will also make their preseason debut tonight. After all three players put up impressive numbers last season, they will be looking to build on that success. Trocheck has solidified his role as a reliable senior center during the playoffs, and Panarin will aim to eclipse the 100-point mark once again.

Related: Rangers’ Lafrenière Ready for Power-Play Boost

Meanwhile, Lafreniere, who scored 57 points on a power-play basis, is poised to increase his production and should see more power-play minutes this season as he enters a significant contract campaign. All eyes will be on this line to see if they can maintain their high level of performance from last season.

Chytil Stops the Third Row

Chytil will center the third line tonight, having just led the Rangers to a 3-2 win over the Bruins. He will be joined by prospects Berard and Othmann, who are both fighting for a spot in the opening night lineup. Othmann had a rough outing in the last game, struggling on both ends of the ice, though he showed flashes of his physicality by delivering a few big hits. Berard, who makes his preseason debut tonight, will hope to catch the coaching staff’s attention with his high-energy play and strong defensive performance. Although both are expected to start the season in the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack, Berard’s scoring streak last season makes him stronger than Othmann, who relied more on the power play to generate points.

Battle on the Fourth Line

The fourth line tonight consists of Edstrom, Leschyshyn, and Rempe. Leschyshyn is expected to start the season in Hartford, while Edstrom and Rempe, who both impressed last season, are battling for a spot in the opening night lineup. With Sam Carrick likely locked in at fourth-line center and Jimmy Vesey expected to fill one of the wings, there may be room for one of them. Edstrom and Rempe have similar playing styles, with Edstrom offering more skill and Rempe offering more grit. Rempe is currently favored to secure the final roster spot, but tonight’s game will provide an opportunity to test whether having two 6-foot-7 players on the fourth line is a strategy the Rangers should pursue in the regular season.

Defensive pairings to watch

The Rangers’ defensive pairing tonight features Lindgren and Fox, both of whom have been consistent since they both arrived in New York and will likely continue to play together. Meanwhile, Jones and Trouba are both looking to make statements this preseason. Jones, after spending several seasons on the fringes, finally seems ready to secure a regular spot in the NHL. He showed promise in his limited opportunities last season, giving the Rangers hope for his development. On the other hand, Trouba is coming off a disappointing tournament. As the team captain, he is eager to start the new season strong. After trade rumors this summer, Trouba will need to prove his worth not only to general manager Chris Drury but also to the fans, making tonight an important chance to rebuild trust.

Final thoughts

As the Rangers prepare for their first preseason home game, Shesterkin and Quick will also see their first preseason action, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup. Shesterkin, the leading goalkeeper, will look to build on his excellent form from last season. Quick’s performance last season was excellent and the Rangers look for him to provide solid support behind Shesterkin throughout the season as well. With both goaltenders taking the ice tonight, fans will get an early glimpse of how this dynamic duo can stop the team in net as they prepare for the regular season.