New York Rangers: Top 5 games to look forward to
New York Rangers fans, and hockey fans, in general, will look forward to almost every game during the season after a long summer. Which five games will be especially exciting to watch?
The 2017 offseason was one of the longest in recent history for New York Rangers fans. After defeating the Montreal Canadiens in six games in the first round of the playoffs, the team fell to the Ottawa Senators in the same amount of games. Although not as torturous as the 2016 break, this summer definitely left fans craving some Rangers hockey.
They’ll definitely get to see the Rangers again, but in many ways, it’ll be a different team. Fan favorites Derek Stepan, Antti Raanta, and Dan Girardi have departed to other teams. Younger players are expected to earn roster spots, like Anthony DeAngelo and Lias Andersson.
A new season presents a clean slate and many new opportunities for the team. There’s a lot of potential in this group, and tons of reasons to be excited to watch. While dedicated followers of the team are happy to follow along with any and every game, there are always a few special ones.
Whether it’s a rivalry, a playoff rematch, or a homecoming of sorts for a favorite player, some games always pop out on the schedule. Here are five New York Rangers games to look forward to in the upcoming 2017-2018 season.
5: October 31st VS Vegas Golden Knights
It’s easy to brush expansion teams under the rug during their first season, but many people seem to think that the Vegas Golden Knights will make their mark in the league this season. On October 19th, 2017, the Knights will make their first trip to Madison Square Garden. Not only will this be their first visit to Broadway, but it will be their first time ever playing against the New York Rangers.
The first game will say a lot about both teams, and may even show fans more about the Rangers. How will they play against a new team mostly made up of players they’ve already seen, but arranged into a different order? It’ll be an entertaining game and could give the fanbase some insight into how the team plays against certain opposing players.
In addition, Oscar Lindberg will put on an NHL sweater other than New York’s red white and blue for the first time ever. The Coyotes drafted Lindberg in 2010, while they were still “Phoenix” and not yet “Arizona.” He played 134 games as a Ranger, notching 21 goals and 27 assists (48 points.) Seeing him play against the Rangers for the first time will definitely be a night to remember for his former teammates, the fans, and the forward himself.
4: January 13th VS New York Islanders
Sigh. This one just had to be on the list, as typical as it may seem. The New York Rangers-New York Islanders rivalry is one of the biggest in the league. The passion is obvious in the players on the ice as well as the fans in the stands.
Both teams improved over the summer. The Islanders acquired Jordan Eberle for Ryan Strome in late June, and a line of he, Tavares and Anders Lee could make a splash in this game. The Rangers improved on the blue line, losing Dan Girardi and signing Kevin Shattenkirk.
It will be interesting to see how this scenario plays out in this game. It’s a little later in the season, which is a perfect time to see these rivals face off since they will have already settled into their respective seasons.
Fans know the Islanders for coming out on top over the Rangers in these games, while the latter has more long-term success in the playoffs. Will that change this season? Will the trend continue? This game could give fans a good sense of the answers to those questions.
3: November 19th VS Ottawa Senators
The last time the New York Rangers played the Ottawa Senators, it didn’t end too well. It was game 6 of the second round of the 2017 playoffs. Ottawa defeated the Rangers 4-2, winning the series 4-2. They eliminated the Rangers from the playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference Final for the first time since 2007.
It was easy for many of New York’s fans to cheer for the Senators against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins. Aside from that, it definitely stung to leave the playoffs this early…again. Losing in the playoffs is always hard. For a team that has wanted to succeed so badly for so long, it’s especially painful.
What was the worst part? Watching Derick Brassard, who was a Ranger just one year before, advance onto the next round. It’s time to tie up some loose ends during this game.
This will mark the first time that the teams meet this season. Fans expect the Rangers to come in looking hungry. It promises to be a passionate, exciting game, and hopefully, New York will fix up their unfinished business.
2: March 30th VS Tampa Bay Lightning
One of the biggest changes that the New York Rangers made over the summer of 2016 was shedding defenseman Dan Girardi. New York bought him out, and the Tampa Bay Lightning were quick to sign him. Because of NHL schedule voodoo magic, Girardi and the Lightning won’t return to Madison Square Garden until one of the last games of the season.
In his later years as a Ranger, Girardi’s skill set definitely declined, but he remained a leader on the team. He survived the Tortorella years and blocked countless shots, helping the team transition to a fast, skilled team under Alain Vigneault. While his on-ice contributions probably won’t be missed much, he was a familiar face, and it’ll be weird to see him in something other than a Broadway blue jersey.
In addition to Girardi, the Rangers and the Lightning have formed something close to a rivalry in recent years. They faced each other in the playoffs multiple times, and the regular season games are filled with energy. The teams are in similar spots, being called contenders for years and failing to live up to expectations.
Which team will end up on top during this matchup? Who will go further in the season at large? Will either of them get noticed in the talented Eastern Conference? Most fans can’t wait to find out.
1: March 2nd @ Calgary Flames
Okay, this one is a little out of left field. Why would a game between the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames be important? The more significant part of this game lies in the date. Unless something in the NHL changes drastically this year, this will most likely be the first game after the trade deadline.
Fans could be watching a completely different Rangers team by this point in the season. Who will remain on the team? Hopeful followers of the team expect them to trade Nick Holden, and Rick Nash is also a name that continues to come up in the discussion.
Will New York land a big name player? Matt Duchene still has not been moved, and the rumors haven’t stopped flowing. Alex Galchenyuk has stayed put as well, although he has been brought up in trade talks.
Furthermore, what will the Flames look like? Maybe they will be the team to work out a blockbuster move, and the Rangers will be faced with a superstar in a new sweater to conquer.
Changes are bound to be made, and this game will be a first look at what the New York Rangers and Calgary Flames will consist of from at least March to June.
Next: New York Rangers: Top five players that could be 2018 All-Stars
Although the summer was unbearably long, it’s finally time for the hockey season to start. The New York Rangers have made quite a few changes during the offseason, and many other teams have done the same. Will certain patterns continue? Will new players change things up? The answers to these questions and more will come very, very soon. Happy hockey season, Rangers fans.