Open Game Thread: Rangers vs. Devils

The New York Rangers open preseason against the New Jersey Devils tonight at the Prudential Center.

It’s the first look we’ll get at the 2018-19 Rangers, and the coaching staff which includes new head coach David Quinn, assistants Greg Brown and David Oliver, holdover assistant Lindy Ruff, and of course goaltending coach extraordinaire Benoit Allaire.

Since the Rangers are rebuilding, there are more opportunities for young players and prospects to make the lineup. Tonight’s game feature a number of those players looking for a chance to prove themselves, including Lias Andersson, Ryan Lindgren, Boo Nieves, Tim Gettinger, Ville Meskanen, Michael Lindqvist, and Neal Pionk. The lineup will also include some mainstays Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, Jesper Fast, Pavel Buchnevich, and Marc Staal.

Between the pipes it’ll be Marek Mazaenc, who joined the Hartford Wolf Pack last season and extended this offseason, and Alexandar Georgiev backstopped the Wolf Pack and backed up Henrik Lundqvist at the NHL level. The two, along with offseason signing Dustin Tokarski, will battle for the role of Lundqvist’s backup this season.

On the other side of the ice, the the Rangers will see a split-squad of the Devils, who are play two simultaneous preseason games — one at home and another in Montreal. Players including Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, Brian Boyle, Sami Vatanen, and Keith Kinkaid will face-off against their division rivals at home.

For more on the Devils, check out All About the Jersey.