Preseason Game #4: New York Rangers vs New Jersey Devils Open Thread

After three days away following an undefeated first half of the preseason, the Rangers are back in action for the first game of a home and home set with the New Jersey Devils. With two more preseason contests to be played over the next two days and only one more after that, the Blueshirts' opening night roster will begin to come into focus following this pair of games.

While New York is unbeaten in the exhibition slate thus far, New Jersey is still looking for its first win after losing its first four games. The Devils are expected to dress a lineup low on NHL regulars and high on players likely headed for the AHL and major juniors once roster cuts are finalized, so Peter Laviolette's squad will clash with New Jersey's "B" team in Newark this evening.

Player to Watch: Victor Mancini

Ryan Lindgren's injury has opened the door for a spot in the opening night lineup along the blue line, and Mancini, a 2022 fifth round pick out of NCAA Nebraska-Omaha, has had an eye opening camp and emerged out of nowhere to push for a roster spot.

Chad Ruhwedel had been penciled in as the team's seventh defenseman, so the Blueshirts' two most likely options are to slot Ruhwedel into the lineup and have another veteran (most likely Connor Mackey) assume the role of the spare, or let a younger player like Mancini claim the vacated lineup spot and keep Ruhwedel as the regular spare defenseman. Keep an eye on Mancini tonight as he looks to bolster his case for a roster spot.

Enjoy the game!