Preseason Game: Rangers vs. Devils – Key Points to Look Out For | Sports

The New York Rangers will look to keep excellent within the preseason after they go to the New Jersey Devils on Monday night time within the fourth of their six preseason video games.

The Rangers are an ideal 3-0-0, defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2 and 5-2, and the New York Islanders 6-4, a sport that noticed them erase deficits of three-0 and 4-1.

The Devils have been busy through the offseason including veterans like goaltender Jacob Markstrom and defenseman Brett Pesce, in addition to hiring Sheldon Keefe as their new coach.

However, don’t count on to see New Jersey’s massive names go well with up at Prudential Center or within the rematch Tuesday night time at Madison Square Garden. All of their NHL-stage expertise is in Europe for the 2024-25 NHL Global Series; the Devils face the Buffalo Sabres on Friday and Saturday in Prague. The Rangers are seemingly to match the Devils when it comes to roster power, that means we are going to get an excellent have a look at prospects and some key gamers battling for ultimate roster spots.

For New Jersey, count on a roster of hungry gamers and prospects who're additionally wanting to make an impression for down the street. The Devils are 0-4-0 within the preseason, with two losses to the Islanders and one every to the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens. NHL starters or not, they’ll be hungry for a win.

Related: New York Rangers coaching camp: What we’ve realized midway by way of preseason

3 issues to look ahead to when Rangers go to Devils in preseason matchup

Here are three issues to look ahead to on Monday night time.

1. Evaluation course of for Rangers continues in opposition to weak Devils lineup

While it might be nice to get an early style of how the Rangers will stack up in opposition to the Devils this season, that gained’t be the case in both of the preseason video games in opposition to New Jersey. However, there's nonetheless loads to achieve for the Rangers, regardless of dealing with primarily an AHL lineup.

“We’re still in an evaluation process, no matter which players we choose to play,” Peter Laviolette said Sunday. “It’s still training camp, and it’s still a chance to evaluate. We’ll use it for exactly what it is, what it’s been in the first three games, and what it’ll remain in the last three games. It’ll be different, for sure, because their team has gone overseas.”

Though he’s seemingly to deploy the same lineup that's missing many NHL regulars, it’s nonetheless enterprise as regular for Laviolette. In truth, it appears as if he'll use this as an opportunity to take an prolonged have a look at gamers who're actually pushing for a spot on the roster, together with forwards Brennan Othmann, Adam Edstrom and Brett Berard, in addition to defensemen Victor Mancini and Connor Mackey. The first three may very well be helped by the absence of fourth-line common Jimmy Vesey; Laviolette stated the 31-12 months-outdated will “miss a few weeks” with a decrease-physique damage sustained at observe Sunday.

2. Victor Mancini could have massive likelihood to impress

If there was ever a time for a participant like Mancini to construct on an already spectacular preseason, that point is now. The 22-12 months-outdated has opened eyes in camp and impressed in his two preseason contests. After scoring a purpose and an help in his preseason debut and taking part in nicely in his second sport, Mancini has rapidly inserted himself into the dialog for the sixth or seventh spot on the Rangers blue line.

With Ryan Lindgren out for at the least a number of weeks with an higher-physique damage, Mancini has a fair larger likelihood of cracking the lineup if he can sustain this stage of play. The proper-handed shot says he has no downside switching over to the left aspect — even perhaps into Lindgren’s spot with Adam Fox on the primary pair. He’ll have a fantastic alternative to present what he can do on Monday night time.

While Mancini gained’t be dealing with a lot NHL-stage expertise, he’ll be keen to make one other good impression on Laviolette and the remainder of the Rangers brass. Expect him to play first-pair minutes in opposition to New Jersey — and to have one other massive sport.

3. Othmann, Edstrom, Berard battling for roster spot

While it's potential that each one three of those gamers begin the season with the Hartford Wolf Pack, the Rangers affiliate within the American Hockey League, Othmann, Edstrom, and Berard will get the highlight in opposition to the Devils to show themselves worthy of a roster spot with the Rangers. With few if any NHL regulars in both lineup, these three gamers mustn't solely log massive minutes however have the chance to stand out. If they're actually NHL-prepared, they need to dominate in opposition to a workforce made up of prospects and minor-leaguers.

Othmann lastly discovered the rating sheet with a purpose and an help in opposition to the Bruins in New York’s 5-2 preseason win final Thursday, whereas Edstrom has two targets and an help in his two preseason showings, one being an empty-web purpose in opposition to Boston. Berard has but to register some extent within the preseason.

Vesey’s absence opens one other spot for a number of of those gamers.

While Edstrom is wanting to earn a spot on the fourth line, issues get a bit extra difficult for Othmann and Berard, who could be higher-suited taking part in within the prime 9 — or taking part in massive minutes down in Hartford.

“For young players, to be here the entire year and not play, probably is not a good thing,” Laviolette defined. “I think getting playing time and experience is probably more beneficial.”

If Othmann, Edstrom, or Berard are wanting to stick with the large membership this season, they’ll want a powerful exhibiting through the second half of coaching camp. An enormous sport in opposition to New Jersey could be a good way to begin.

Rangers vs. Devils preseason sport: When, the place, what time, how to watch

Who: New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils

Where: Prudential Center

When: Monday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. ET

How to Watch: MSG Network

Click right here for New York Rangers full 2024-25 schedule and sport outcomes

Dane Walsh is a life-lengthy fan of the New York Rangers. Growing up within the tri-state space, Dane has… More about Dane Walsh

Mentioned on this article: Adam Edstrom Brennan Orthmann Brett Berard New Jersey Devils New York Rangers Peter Laviolette Victor Mancini

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