The Rangers have announced their preseason schedule one day ahead of the regular season schedule expected out tomorrow. After last year’s marathon effort that included two games in Europe, they will return to a regular seven game set.

Things get under way on Tuesday September 15th with a home game against the Boston Bruins. The Blueshirts will play the Bruins twice, and will also face a brace of games against the 2008-09 Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings. The schedule also features a single game against the rival New Jersey Devils and a close out home and home series with the Washington Capitals, the team that eliminated the Rangers in the 2008-09 post season.

Surprisingly for New York, there will be only one game against a division rival, and none against traditional foes the New York Islanders or Philadelphia Flyers. All four teams the Rangers will face featured in the 2008-09 playoffs, and this is probably one of the toughest schedules we’ve seen in recent years.

1 Tue 15 Boston Bruins
2 Wed 16 at New Jersey Devils
3 Fri 18 at Detroit Red Wings
4 Sat 19 at Boston Bruins
5 Mon 21 Detroit Red Wings
6 Thu 24 Washington Capitals
7 Sun 27 Washington Capitals