The wait is finally over and hockey is back. It has been a long summer, but an exciting one. The New York Rangers have made a lot of different moves during the offseason and fans are ready to see this new, rebuilt team in action.
The Rangers announced their lineup for game one and fans should be excited. There are notable players playing their first game as a Ranger. Kaapo Kakko, Artemi Panarin, Igor Shestyorkin Adan Fox, Vitali Kravtsov, and Jacob Trouba will be making their debut with the Rangers.
Other notable players that will be fighting for a roster spot are Lias Andersson, Boo Nieves, and Libor Hajek.
The top line consists of Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Kakko. The first defense pair is Brady Skjei and Trouba. Another notable line is the second, consisting of Chris Kreider, Andersson, and Kravtsov. These two lines have a perfect combination of young players and a veteran.
It was announced on the Rangers Twitter account that David Quinn said there is a chance both Shestyorkin and Alexandar Georgiev will get ice time during the game.
The matchup against the Devils should be interesting as New Jersey was another team that made a lot of moves trying to rebuild. The Devils are currently 1-1-0 in the preseason. First overall draft pick Jack Hughes made his debut with the Devils and had two goals in the team’s first game, one being the overtime winner. There is a chance fans might see a Hughes vs. Kakko matchup, it might not be this game but it will definitely happen eventually.
Fans should be excited about this new team. The Rangers have a good chance of proving their successful rebuild, and it starts in the preseason.
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