Rangers vs. Bruins: 3 things to watch for in preseason clash at MSG

Looking to continue their perfect run so far in the preseason, the New York Rangers host the Boston Bruins on Thursday at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers are 2-0-0, including a 3-2 win against the Bruins at TD Garden in Boston on Sunday. They followed that up with a wild 6-4 victory against the New York Islanders at MSG on Tuesday. That game featured a six-goal third period by the Rangers, when they rallied from deficits of 3-0 and 4-1.

There was a cost to their latest victory, though. Top-pair defenseman Ryan Lindgren sustained an upper-body injury in a fight with Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield and is out “at least a few weeks.” Also, high-scoring forward Artemi Panarin left the game with a lower-body injury, though he returned to practice Thursday.

The Rangers had another injury scare against the Islanders, but Filip Chytil returned to finish the game after he was leveled by Mayfield with a thunderous open-ice hit in the first period. Chytil contributed a third-period power-play goal later in the game.

Boston is 1-1-0 in the preseason after a 4-2 win against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday. With goalie Jeremy Swayman remaining a holdout, Joonas Korpisalo started and stopped all seven shots he faced in 29:39. Michael DiPietro finished up and allowed two goals on 13 shots.

The Bruins also remain without captain Brad Marchand, who skated for the first time in camp Wednesday with a no-contact jersey. Marchand had three surgeries this past offseason to repair issues with his groin and elbow and a sports hernia.

“It’s still training camp, it’s still evaluating. There are still spots needing to be filled,” Rangers coach Peter Laviolette said Thursday morning . “So, the best way to evaluate them (the players) is in games.”

Related: Zac Jones locking down regular spot in Rangers lineup

3 things to watch for when Rangers host Bruins in preseason game

Let’s break down three things to look for on Thursday night.

1. More Mancini

Victor Mancini has turned heads at Rangers camp and gets to play in his second preseason game Thursday. But now, the stakes are a bit higher for the 22-year-old, what with Lindgren’s injury and timeline to return in several weeks.

Coach Peter Laviolette made it a point to mention that Mancini, a right-hand shot, can play the left side. Mancini confirmed as much Thursday morning. That makes him an intriguing option for the Rangers, who need to fill a spot on the left side of their defense with Lindgren sidelined.

With three lefties in the lineup Thursday, Mancini probably will play on the right side of the third pair with Connor Mackey. The competition for Mancini to land a spot in the top six includes Mackey, Ben Harpur and Chad Ruhwedel, a veteran righty who can also play on the left side. Matthew Robertson could join the mix but he’s currently out with a lower-bosy injury.

Mancini had a goal and an assist, playing more than 23 minutes, against the Bruins on Sunday. Let’s see if he impresses again in his latest opportunity.

2. First-timers

Three Rangers will play their first preseason game Thursday: defenseman K’Andre Miller and forwards Sam Carrick and Adam Erne. With Lindgren out, there’s a good chance, Laviolette will take a look at a Miller-Fox pairing. If instead Laviolette has Miller with Jacob Trouba, then, perhaps, Mackey skates with Fox, as they did in practice Wednesday.

Mancini and Zac Jones are the other two defensemen dressing Thursday.

Carrick and Erne each will wear the Rangers sweater for the first time. Carrick signed a three-year, $3 million contract this summer and will likely center the fourth line. Erne, who has 379 games of NHL experience, is in camp on a PTO and needs to make a massive impression to be considered for a fourth-line or 13th-forward role on Broadway this season.

Conversely, forward Brennan Othmann will get another look Thursday. He’ll play in his third preseason game after an uneven performance against the Islanders. Last Sunday, he got into a fight with Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon. So, keep an eye out there. Also, Chytil will play his third straight preseason game.

3. Quick decision

It appears Jonathan Quick will start in goal, the third different starting goalie in as many preseason games for the Rangers. Louis Domingue, who will also dress, started Sunday against the Bruins and Igor Shesterkin got the call against the Islanders.

Quick replaced Shesterkin midway through the game Tuesday and picked up the win when the Rangers rallied late. The 38-year-old stopped eight of 10 shots.

Rangers vs. Bruins preseason game: When, where, what time, how to watch

Who : New York Rangers vs. Boston Bruins

Where : Madison Square Garden

When : Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. ET

How to Watch : MSG Network

Click here for New York Rangers complete 2024-25 schedule and game results

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