The Rangers defeated the Islanders tonight in the preseason opener at MSG by a score of 5-2. For a box score, click here.
First things first. Kudos to NYR Blog reader Alain Vigneault for giving letters to Glass, Girardi and Staal. We got the message here loud and clear.
Full disclosure: I only managed to watch most of the first period and a small bit of the second. Although we aren’t going to take away season long conclusions from one preseason game.
The Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich line clicked right from the start and didn’t let up. Buchnevich in particular was noticeably nervous to the point that he told his teammates to NOT pass him the puck until he settled down according to reporters after the game. After the first power play, Buchnevich had a couple nice chances in front. Would like to see him again on Thursday. He needs the experience.
Zibanejad on the other hand had a pretty big debut with a 3 point night that included a power play goal ripped straight from the Washington Capitals playbook, with his four other linemates constantly looking to get him the puck alone in the left circle. The line as a whole played a ton in offensive zone, which hopefully is a sign of things to come from that unit.
I was impressed with what I saw from Adam Clendening, who was really the only defenseman I noticed able to cleanly get the puck up ice for chances including Brandon Pirri’s power play goal late in the second. Again, there is a need here to see more in the coming games from the young guys, including Zibanejad.
Again, not drawing conclusions from one game, but Girardi combined with Skjei spent quite a bit of time in their own end including two minute shift late into the second when the pair couldn’t get off the ice. This happened often last year regardless of who was paired with Girardi. It’s one game, but it’s worth a note.
McIlrath’s bomb from the high slot off a faceoff win gave the Rangers some breathing room right after the Islanders made it 3-2 midway through the third. Would like to see more of that from Dylan provided he makes the team full time, because he does have that shot that his new assistant coach used to have back when he played for the Rangers. Having Beukeboom in the room with McIlrath is going to do wonders for the kid.
The Rangers next preseason game is on Thursday when the Devils come to MSG.
Photo credit: Melissa Andus (used with permission)
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