The Rangers fell short 3-2 to the Devils last night, to leave them 1-2-0 in the three preseason game to date. It was a game that showed the Rangers still have work to do, but have the capacity to compete with the Devils if they play the right way.
Like last Spring, the first period looked like the Rangers were outmatched by the Devils quickness. The visitors had the better of the chances, and if not for some sharp saves from Igor Shesterkin, the team could have been down a couple of goals. It’s perhaps ironic that the only goal of the period came late off the stick of Tyler Toffoli, a spin-around shot that didn’t quick come off, but deflected in off of the Ranger netminder’s stick and between his legs.
Shesterkin did make a big glove save seconds after the restart on Devils rookie defenseman Simon Nemec, and another sprawling save to deny Graeme Clark as he drove to the net with some space. The Rangers’ starter looked in mid-season form and finished his 40 minutes with 20 saves on 21 shots.
The Rangers did come out stronger in the second, with Will Cuylle hitting the post on a sharp chance that Devils goalie Akira Smid didn’t seem to pick up. Cuylle had a solid first period, but stepped it up in the second, with a number of chances, a couple of hits and even some time on the PK, where he forced a turnover and cleared the puck. Cuylle showed more offense than we’ve seen in his previous outings, though he did lead the Pack with 25 goals last year.
Summer free agent signing Alex Belzile has also had a good couple of games, and would seemingly be in the drivers seat for the 13th forward spot at the very least. Jonny Brodzinski also is getting a lot of opportunity, but his game style would seemingly be better suited to a top six role, and he hasn’t been able to translate his offensive game to the NHL level to date.
On defense, Braden Schneider looked more poised than his first outing up in Boston. He paired up with Erik Gustafsson, who looks like a value signing at the mid-point of the preseason. He scored the first goal for the Rangers to tie the game, capitalizing on some smart play from first Kaapo Kakko, and then his defensive partner leading up to the goal.
The other very noticeable player was 2021 1st round pick – 16th overall – Brennan Othmann. The 20 year old did pick up the Rangers 2nd goal in the final minute, converting off of Gustafsson’s broken stick shot that came straight to him, and he wasted no time snapping it home. Othmann plays with a lot of confidence, and does not look overawed as he makes an unlikely case for inclusion in the opening night roster, and more likely for a mid-season call-up.
We also got a chance last night to see Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller play as a pair. It’s one of the experiments that Peter Laviolette is trying out, and it proved to be a bit uneven. Likewise, a top line that featured Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanead – in his first preseason game, and Alexis Lafreniere on the right, generated little on the night.
The Rangers suit up again tonight at the Islanders, and will finish out their preseason next week with games on Monday (at Devils) and Tuesday (v Bruins).