The first game of the six-game slate of the 2025-26 New York Rangers preseason went about as perfectly as it could. There was intense action on both sides, prospects fighting for their right to make the opening night roster, and a defining 5-3 Rangers victory over New Jersey.
One of the standouts from the matinee game was defenseman Scott Morrow, who came to the Rangers via the K'Andre Miller trade with Carolina. This was his blueshirts debut, and did he ever make the most of it.
It was so great in fact, that he might have shook up the opening night line-up card, and caused a bit of defensive drama. Let's talk about it.
Morrow earned his spot already?
Morrow had a fantastic outing against the Devils, showcasing a complete skillset. He defended well, used some creativity on the goal that he scored in the second period and won the heart of the fanbase already.
Morrow nets one through traffic. pic.twitter.com/QZq0Wu6PrV
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) September 21, 2025
Speaking of that goal, Morrow was able to snap home a wrister while coming down from the blue-line. It was not a clean snipe, with the help of a Devils defender in front of the net to deflect it. One of the key things with the shot, is that when he skated in, he hesitated with a slick toe-drag move before firing it, getting the opposing goaltender's timing off.
As of now, the Rangers opening night defensive lines are pretty set. With Vladislav Gavrikov and Adam Fox in the first pairing, Carson Soucy and Will Borgen slotted behind them, and then Braden Schneider and Urho Vaakanainen on the last pairing. But, can Morrow force his way into that last pairing?
If not on opening night, at some point there will be an opening for the 22-year-old up-and-comer. This preseason is going to be very important for Morrow, and if he can keep this up, his arrival will be sooner rather than later.