Blog Archives

BREAKING: Rangers set lines for practice, and likely season; Diaz and Megna waived

Bobby Bevilacqua

viktor stalberg and oscar lindberg 9-30

Oscar Lindberg (L) and Viktor Stalberg look on during the preseason game against the Bruins. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

Although nothing is official yet, it appears that we have the finalized Rangers roster heading into the season opener.

Here are the lines from today’s morning practice:

Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello

Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Kevin Hayes

Viktor Stalbreg-Oscar Lindberg-JT Miller

Dominic Moore-Jarret Stoll-Jesper Fast

Spare: Emerson Etem Read the rest of this entry

McIlrath, Lindberg proving their worth, lineup for final preseason game

Bobby Bevilacqua

Dylan McIlrath and Oscar Lindberg collage

Dylan McIlrath and Oscar Lindberg are two rookies who are seriously pushing for am opening night roster spot. Photos courtesy of MSG Photos.

It’s going to be very tough for Alain Vigneault to go against the youth movement for this upcoming season.

Like Anthony Duclair did last season in training camp, Oscar Lindberg and Dylan McIlrath, both rookies, have opened the eyes of the coaching staff, make a significant case for them to be on the opening night roster.

The strong performances from many of the youngsters has Vigneault perplexed too, stating that he has not finalized the roster heading into the final preseason game tonight against the Boston Bruins.

“I can tell you right now we have not come up with a definite answer yet,” Vigneault told Blueshirts United. “These are all questions we are right now debating within our group. This player brings this element, this player brings that element. How do we look with a certain guy in the lineup? Young versus older? We’re working through the process and I can tell you right now we haven’t come up with a definite answer on any of those things.” Read the rest of this entry

NHL Division Preview: The Metropolitan

Bobby Bevilacqua

Rangers vs Capitals Game 5 faceoff 5-8

The Rangers and the Capitals will be two of the Metropolitan’s best teams this season. Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

The upcoming NHL season is less than two weeks away, and the excitement is palpable. The rosters are almost finalized, preseason is almost over, and the grind for a Stanley Cup Championship is about to begin.

This is the first post in a series of four where I will preview each division in the NHL, make my predictions, and choose who I think will be in the playoffs. There will be an article for each division in the league.

The Metropolitan Division is shaping up to be the best in the entire league. Many of the teams have either maintained their strong roster or drastically improved, meaning that this division is very likely to send five teams to the playoffs.

The Rangers were the champions of the Metropolitan last season, in the regular season and after the first two rounds, and they’ll look to defend their divisional prowess against some surging teams such as the Penguins, the Capitals, and the Islanders. Read the rest of this entry

Rangers set lineup for preseason clash with Philly, Glass and Megna scratched

Bobby Bevilacqua

Rangers celebrate a goal 9-21

Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

The Rangers have announced the starting lineup for tonight’s game at Madison Square Garden after making some significant roster cuts, leaving the team with just 15 forwards and eight defensemen.

Here were the lines from the morning skate, and the expected lineup for tonight.

Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash

JT Miller-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello

Jesper Fast-Kevin Hayes-Viktor Stalberg

Jarret Stoll-Dominic Moore-Emerson Etem

Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi

Marc Staal-Dan Boyle

Keith Yandle-Dylan McIlrath

Antti Raanta Read the rest of this entry

Rangers drop preseason thriller in Boston, Zuccarello scores in return

Alexandra Russo

mats zuccarello 2-4

Photo courtesy of MSG Photos.

The Rangers received their second loss of the pre-season against the Bruins at TD Garden in Thursday night’s matchup. Some key players to watch this preseason are Hayes, Gibbons, and Oscar Lindberg from the Rangers’ lineup. Patrice Bergeron and Spooner from the Bruins stood out, as well.

Some familiar faces, including Glass, Nash, Boyle, McDonagh, Brassard, Yandle, and The King, Lundqvist, were back in action for the Rangers.

Joe Micheletti said before the game that Rick Nash is in “superb condition”, and he proved it with his strong checking and physical play. He mentioned that the Rangers intend to focus on each individual game, a strategy that has been in play for this team for a while now. Read the rest of this entry