The NY Rangers schedule has been released so it is time to look at notable games and intriguing matchups in store for the 2022-2023 season. The 2021-22 Rangers season ended the same way the 2022-23 season will begin, playing the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Opening night will be on October 11th against the same opponent that ended the Rangers postseason in the Eastern Conference Finals, but both teams will probably look a little different. Especially the Rangers, who have already been linked to a number of potential free agents and trade candidates this offseason.
They will play the usual 82 games and the season will conclude on April 13th at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. But let’s first look at some key games and intriguing matchups on the schedule.
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NY Rangers Rivalry Games
The Rangers will play four games against five divisional opponents and three between the other two. They will play the Devils, Penguins, Capitals, Blue Jackets, and Hurricanes four times each and the Flyers and Islanders three each.
An interesting part of the schedule is that the Rangers and Islanders will play all three of their games before January. Once in October, one in November, and the last in December and won’t meet again unless they match up together in the playoffs. Odd schedule making especially for a rivalry that has certainly reignited over the past few seasons and provide 60 minutes of entertainment.
Another notable date on the schedule, well at least in past years has been the day after Thanksgiving. What has become somewhat of a “tradition” between the Rangers and Boston Bruins will not take place this year in their usual Friday afternoon time slot.
Rematches between the two teams the Rangers beat in the postseason will have to wait until the middle of the season. First will be on December 20th in Pittsburgh when they play the Penguins and then they will face the Hurricanes on January 3rd at home.
Matchups that have definitely intensified because of this past postseason and the overall state of each team. With this (potentially) being Sidney Crosby’s last real Stanley Cup run and the Hurricanes and Rangers battling for the top team in the Metro division, these games just mean a little bit more.
NY Rangers West Coast Road Trips
The always fun 10 PM start times will begin on November 17th when the Rangers visit the Seattle Kraken. The next three games will be against the San Jose Sharks (10:30 PM), Los Angeles Kings (10:30 PM), and Anaheim Ducks (10:00 PM). So get your sleep in now because we know how much of a pain these late games are.
The good thing for us though is that there won’t be another 10 PM start time until February 15th when the Rangers travel to western Canada to face the Vancouver Canucks. They will also face Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers (9 PM) and the Calgary Flames (10:00 PM) on the same road trip. As much of a pain these games are for us fans, it is always fun to watch them play these west coast teams that we usually don’t get to see very often.
NY Rangers Homecomings
The only notable return on the schedule (so far) is when the Stanley Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche and former Rangers goalie, Alexander Georgiev come to MSG on October 25. Obviously, with free agency starting July 13th and a number of Rangers players hitting the market, these things will certainly change.
Also, a potential return may be on the table for a former MVP from the Chicago Blackhawks who is rumored to be on the Rangers’ radar if he indeed becomes available. But that is all speculation right now and there would need to be a lot of work done for a deal to happen.
NY Rangers Notable Matchups
Fan-favorite Tony Deangelo and the Philadelphia Flyers will return to Madison Square Garden on November 1st along with new head coach John Tortorella. On November 26th, the always exciting and entertaining, Connor McDavid and the Oilers will visit New York. On December 15th the reigning Hart Trophy winner, Auston Matthews and the Maple Leafs will visit the Garden in a battle between two teams that should be contenders next season.
The ESPN and TNT national television schedules have not been released yet, but you can be assured the Rangers will have more than their fair share. A fun team, with recent success, and in a big market will always draw a big audience and will hopefully help the networks grow the game. Puck drop is only three months away and it can’t get here soon enough.