The New York Islanders play the New York Rangers in a preseason matchup at Madison Square Garden. Photo via Getty Images
Last night, the lights of Madison Square Garden shone brightly as the New York Rangers outclassed their rival to the east.
The second game of the NHL preseason and the Rangers’ home-ice debut for 2023-24 started with a bang. Within fifteen seconds, it was already 1-0 Blueshirts as Kaapo Kakko scored against goalie Semyon Varlamov, his first goal of the preseason. The action wouldn’t end there as Chris Kreider and Tyler Pitlick would also score in the first.
Debut Goals
Pitlick’s goal came with an assist by Erik Gustafsson. Blake Wheeler would also score in the second on a beautiful spin maneuver to make it 4-1 Rangers at that point. Pitlick and Wheeler both scored their debut goals with the Rangers last night. All in all, it was enough to secure a 4-2 victory over the Isles.
“We’ve been practicing and working out so it’s fun to get things going and play some hockey,” Kakko said after the game.
Igor Shesterkin made his first start of the preseason, and was brilliant as usual. He stopped 10 out of 11 shots in almost 30 minutes of ice time (29:38 to be exact). The one goal he allowed came from William Dufour on a power play late in the first period. Meanwhile, the aforementioned Varlamov had a less-than-stellar night, allowing three early goals.
“We did some good things, but certainly there were moments in the rest of the game that we have to improve on,” Islanders coach Lane Lambert said. “Rome wasn’t built in a day. We have work to do, and we will.”
Night Highs
Vincent Trocheck had four shots on goal and went 8-for-14 (57%) in faceoffs, both highs for the night. Meanwhile, K’Andre Miller had two shots in 22:07 in ice time, the most of the night. Despite being a preseason game, the atmosphere had a regular-season vibe to it, one which I personally experienced at the game last night.
The Rangers’ preseason will continue with a matchup against the rival Devils at the Garden tomorrow night. Meanwhile, the Islanders will take on the Flyers at UBS Arena tonight.
