October’s Five ‘Must-Watch’ Games of the 2015-2016 New York Rangers Season

New York Rangers

Well, the 2015-2016 hockey season officially kicks off tomorrow, with four games on tap.

And yes, one of those games is our beloved boys in blue, the New York Rangers. Again, high hopes are expected of this year’s team, with the ultimate goal being the Stanley Cup at the end of the season.

With the roster not needing any major face lifts, and a couple of depth moves made in the offseason, the Rangers are in a position to make another run to the postseason.

However, with most teams in the Division regrouping after last season and adding to their stable of players, it could make the Rangers work that much harder in repeating as the Metropolitan champions.

But, that is why they play the games and let the chips fall, as they may. And it all starts with the first.

Here are five games in October that you should circle on your calendar this season:

1) Wednesday Night Rivalry, October 7th- Against the Chicago Blackhawks

Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Of course, you can’t start without mentioning the first Rangers game of the season. And, what better way to kick things off then to have the national spotlight on you then to be one of the first marquee matchups on NBCSN. Oh, by the way, the team visits the defending Stanley Cup champions Chicago Blackhawks. They will bear witness to another banner raising ceremony, just like they did in 2012 as they watched the Los Angeles Kings.

Talk about rubbing salt in the wounds of every person associated with the Rangers.

2) Home Opener, October 9th- Against the Columbus Blue Jackets

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Two days after Chicago, the Blueshirts return to Madison Square Garden for the first home game of the season.

Their opponents: the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team many have picked to be a factor in the Division this year. And, they have plenty of positives going for them. Ryan Johansen, Brandon Saad, and Sergie Bobrovsky are just some of the headliners for the team this season. If it weren’t injuries early last season, the Blue Jackets may have become a top contender after what was witness in the second half of the season.

But, anything can happen, just ask the Rangers about last season.

READ OUR DIVISION PREVIEW: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS ARE COMING FOR THE RANGERS

3) First Game of the 2015-2016 Season in Canada, October 15th- Against the Montreal Canadiens

May 27, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN;New York Rangers forward

(20) and Montreal Canadiens forward

(22) get ready for a face off during the first period in game five of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

If there was one team that gets the blood boiling every season, aside from the normal rivalry games, is the annual trip across the border to the Bell Centre, home of the Candiens.

Ahhh, so many fond memories. This game always seem to take on a bigger meaning. One, it’s an Original Six matchup. Two, it’s Carey Price against Henrik Lundqvist. Three, it’s the die-hard Habs fans. And, I am sure they won’t soon forget the alleged “wrong” done to them, when the “accidentally on purpose” event occurred.

Should be a cordial and respectful affair…NOT!

4) Rivalry Game, October 24th- Against the Philadelphia Flyers

Sep 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers right wing

(17) talks with referee Francis Charron (6) and linesman Darren Gibbs (66) during a break in a game against the New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

A week after visiting the Canadiens, the Rangers will make another house call. This time it will be in the city of Brotherly Love Philadelphia, as they take on the Flyers.

Another tourist attraction for Rangers fans will be the the Wells Fargo Center. As with the Bell Centre in Montreal, this building has been host some great highlights and some lowlights for the Blueshirts. One of those was a shootout loss in 2010. The Rangers and Flyers’ playoff hopes came down to a shootout, which Claude Giroux won, putting a knife into every Rangers fan.

Fast forward to 2014, and the teams met in the playoffs, where former Rangers Dan Carcillo gave the Flyers fans the “you guys are number one” gesture.

Please don’t play this clip at work and shield the little ones from watching this.

READ OUR DIVISION PREVIEW: BROTHERLY LOVE FOR THE PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

5) Rivalry Game, October 30th- Against the Toronto Maple Leafs

Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

And last, but not Leafs (see what I did there), Toronto ends the month.

The team has gone through a major facelift in the offseason, both on the managerial side and on the ice. The most notable subtraction was the “media-darling” Phil Kessel being traded to Pittsburgh. Guess Dion Phanuef is on his own now fending off the Toronto reporters.

This will mark the first time head coach Mike Babcock will visit New York, as a member of the Maple Leafs. We should have some idea, as to how the team functions under his guidance. The game won’t be at the Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier’s Greatest Fight at Madison Square Garden level, but it’s still an Original Six matchup.

Hopefully, the Heritage jerseys will be on display in full force to take fans back in time.

Next: Rangers Have Stanley Cup Worthy Roster

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