New York Rangers Play the 2024-25 Season Opener in Pittsburgh Against the Penguins
Today marks the long-awaited return of the New York Rangers. They will play the season's first game as they begin their defense of the Presidents Trophy. The New York Rangers will start at PPG Paints Arena as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Blueshirts to start the season in 2024-25. New York's got a tough start in the Steel City, but the importance of starting on the right foot was seen last year with the blistering start to the season the Rangers enjoyed.
A new Rangers team will be without two recognizable names. Ryan Lindgren and Jimmy Vesey will both be absent to begin the season on the injury reserves. Lindgren had a rough season last year and would have been looking to start the season on the right foot, but that will have to wait until he can join the teams on the ice. Vesey's role will also give a chance to a younger player.
With those two out, we will look at other options. For the forwards, we're probably going to see Adam Edstrom get a shot. He played a couple of games last season, but joining Matt Rempe on the fourth line will give the Rangers two big bodies to use. On the back end, the shock of the preseason may make his debut as Victor Mancini looks set to wear the Rangers uniform in the regular season. Can the two preseason standouts cement their roster places?
There are so many other questions that we can start to answer after tonight. Can Rielly Smith fill the gap in the top six the Rangers have needed to address since the Buchnevich trade? How will Sam Carrick jel in this lineup? Can Will Cuylle avoid a sophomore slump? Can Filip Chytil stay healthy? Is this the year Kaapo Kakko finally gets everything to click? We're finally going to start getting answers.
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On the flip side, this Penguins roster is looking to bounce back into the postseason after missing out for a second straight year last year. Sidney Crosby's extension means that the old guard is still there with him, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Recruits Michael Bunting and Anthony Beauvillier will look to impress. Promising youngster Rutger McGroarty seems set to make his NHL debut. Just all-around excitement for the season to begin.
Projected Lineups
New York Rangers
Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafreniere
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Rielly Smith
Will Cuylle - Filip Chytil - Kaapo Kakko
Adam Edstrom - Sam Carrick - Matt Rempe
K'Andre Miller - Adam Fox
Braden Schneider - Jacob Trouba
Zac Jones - Victor Mancini
Igor Shesterkin
Jonathan Quick
Pittsburgh Penguins
Drew O'Connor - Sidney Crosby - Anthony Beauvillier
Michael Bunting - Evgeni Malkin - Rickard Rakell
Rutger McGroarty - Lars Eller - Jesse Puljujarvi
Kevin Hayes - Cody Glass - Noel Accari
Matt Grzelcyk - Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson - Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves - Jack St. Ivany
Tristan Jarry
Joel Blomqvist
A 7:30 puck drop from the Steel City will get the ball rolling on the 98th season in the franchise's history. Edging closer to that illustrious century, the Rangers will look for two points to bank and start on the right foot against a Metropolitan Division rival. We're finally back for meaningful games. Are you ready for New York Rangers hockey to return?