Rangers vs. Predators Open Game Thread

The New York Rangers 2018-19 season begins tonight, and they will face a sizable challenge against the Nashville Predators.

Nashville is coming off a season that saw them go 53-18-11, which was the best in the entire NHL. The Predators have one of the league’s better defense corps including P.K. Subban, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis and Mattias Ekholm in the top four. Offensively they are lead by Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johanasen and Viktor Arvidsson with Kyle Turris and Kevin Fiala on the second line.

Pekka Rinne is the team’s starter, although Juuse Saros is a worthy challenger who could earn the job full time this season.

For more on the Predators feel free to check out SB Nation’s On The Forecheck.

In addition to tonight being the season opener, it is also David Quinn’s debut as an NHL head coach, and it will be the beginning of a new chapter of Rangers hockey. The Blueshirts were pretty average in the preseason, and playing like a team like the Predators will be a good benchmark to see where they stand.

Here are the projected lineups for tonight’s contest.

New York Rangers

Nashville Predators

Enjoy the game!

In addition here are some general notes I like to remind you all about.

1) Thanks for being here, and we look forward to continuing to provide you with top-to-bottom quality New York Rangers content across all mediums. Consider liking us on Facebook, and following us on Twitter (handles below):

@BlueshirtBanter -- the official handle of the website

@JoeFortunatoBSB -- Joe Fortunato

@DigDeepBSB -- Mike Murphy

@BethMachlan -- Beth Machlan

@Kpower90 -- Kevin Powers

@HayyyShayyy -- Shayna Goldman

@AdamZHerman -- Adam Herman

@TomUrtzJr -- Me

@pdk_hockey -- Pat Keogh

@Realallinhockey -- Scott

@JackMcKenna -- Jack McKenna

@Phil Kocher -- Phil Kocher

@kev_meiselman -- Kevin Meiselman

2) Remember to subscribe to the podcast (iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, or Spreaker directly). Leave us a five-star rating, a nice comment, and tell your friends. It goes a long way to spreading the show and we’re very thankful for all the support.

3) If you are able, please donate to the Patreon for the podcast. We’ve worked really hard to get the show up and running, and we’ve been investing the donation dollars back into the show’s equipment to make it a better experience for you. It also helps put a little money in our pocket. Even if you just enjoy the website, anything helps (if you can).