Game #2: Utah Hockey Club vs New York Rangers Open Thread

After a dominant season-opening victory in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the Rangers have returned to the world's most famous arena for the 2024-25 campaign's home opener. It'll be a battle of undefeated teams as the Blueshirts host the Arizo....I mean, the Utah Hockey Club.

Following a tumultuous tenure in the desert, the Arizona Coyotes were finally put out of their misery shortly following the conclusion of the regular season last year. Sold to the NHL who then sold the franchise to the owners of the NBA's Utah Jazz, the Coyotes have rebranded as the "Hockey Club" for this season, and will likely become the Yeti at a later date. However, the Rangers will look to end the Hockey Club's dream of an undefeated season tonight, while keeping their own march to 82-0-0 alive and well.

Player to Watch: Matt Rempe

Bursting onto the scene down the stretch last season, Rempe made the Blueshirts' roster out of training camp this time around, but sat as a healthy scratch against the Penguins. The towering forward appears primed to draw into the lineup in favor of Jonny Brodzinski tonight, so we'll get an idea of how Laviolette will look to deploy the young forward. Will it be more of the same, where Rempe skates for five-ish minutes a night and is stapled to the bench for the latter stages of the game? Or will Rempe take on a bigger role and skate a more regular fourth line shift? Keep an eye on Rempe tonight to get your answer.

Enjoy the game!