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New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Open Thread

The New York Rangers are set to face off against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center for their second to last preseason game, and their second preseason game against the Islanders. The Rangers lost 5-2 to the Islanders in Bridgeport on Saturday, but rebounded in their next game with an overtime win over the New Jersey Devils.

The Rangers will maintain their goaltending tandem from their last game with Henrik Lundqvist and Marek Mazanec. Lundqvist played the first two periods on Monday and Mazanec took over in the third.

A number of players from Monday’s lineup will dress again, including Lias Andersson, Pavel Buchnevich, Tim Gettinger (one goal), Chris Kreider (one goal), Vinni Lettieri (one goal), Neal Pionk (two assists), Brady Skjei, Mika Zibanejad (one assist), and Mats Zuccarello.

PROJECTED #NYR LINEUP TONIGHT VS ISLANDERS:

GOALTENDERS
Lundqvist
Mazanec

SKATERS
Staal
Kreider
Shattenkirk
Spooner
Vesey
Zuccarello
Pionk
Howden
Andersson
McQuaid
Chytil
Crawley
Skjei
Buchnevich
Namestnikov
Zibanejad
Lettieri
Gettinger pic.twitter.com/94sSZWSICC
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 26, 2018

Prospects Filip Chytil and Brett Howden return to the lineup, as do NHLers Marc Staal, Ryan Spooner, Jimmy Vesey, and Vlad Namestnikov. The Rangers will be without two players from last game due to injury — Jesper Fast, who was pulled last game for precautionary reasons, and Matt Beleskey, who is out with a separated shoulder.

Back at @NYRangers morning skate. Matt Beleskey is out 2-to-4 weeks with a shoulder separation, but Jesper Fast is OK. He didn't skate with the game group this morning, but he's going out on the ice now with the rest of the guys. Said he's fine, and he'll play tomorrow if asked.
— Colin Stephenson (@ColinASteph) September 26, 2018

On the other side of the ice, the Rangers will be facing goaltender Robin Lehner.

Barry Trotz says plan is for G Robin Lehner to play full game tonight for #Isles vs. #NYR at #MSG. Not set in stone yet.
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) September 26, 2018

The Islanders lineup should be filled with players that are set to be NHL-mainstays for this season as well, highlighted by Mat Barzal, Jordan Eberle, Nick Leddy, and Ryan Pulock.

At #Isles morning skate:
Beauvillier-Barzal-Bailey
Lee-Nelson-Eberle
Kuhnhackl-Filppula-Komarov
Johnston-Cizikas-Fritz
Martin-Kovar-Clutterbuck
Pelech-Pulock
Leddy-Sbisa
Hickey-Mayfield
Toews-Boychuk
Lehner
Griess
PTOs Seidenberg, Gionta also on ice.
No Ladd
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) September 26, 2018

This the first of a back-to-back for the Rangers to end preseason. Tomorrow they take on the Philadelphia Flyers. For more on the Islanders, check out Lighthouse Hockey.

Keep up with all of Blueshirt Banter throughout the game, and this season, on Twitter:

Blueshirt Banter: @BlueshirtBanter

Joe: @JoeFortunatoBSB

Mike: @DigDeepBSB

Adam: @AdamZHerman

Kevin: @Kpower90

Tom: @TomUrtzJr

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Beth: @bethmachlan

Shayna: @hayyyshayyy

Pat: @pdk_hockey

Miika: @HockeyStatMiner