NY Rangers hopeful scored one memorable empty-net goal in win over Boston

Empty-net goals are rarely worth obsessing over, and they’re often nothing more than a blip on the highlight reel that just confirms a team iced the game. But if you watched the closing minutes of the Boston Bruins and NY Rangers preseason game on Thursday night, Adam Edstrom scored one of the more memorable empty-netters you’ll see all season. 

Edstrom was one player Blue Line Station implored Rangers fans to watch in the preseason, as he could make some serious noise even if he’s no lock to make the team. Having played in 11 regular season games last year and scoring just two points (both goals), the lower lines and an enforcer role are likely in his future when he’s playing full-time with the big club. 

So, if he’s going to put on memorable performances, it would be in the preseason. And while Edstrom’s game was nothing more than what we’re used to seeing, the empty-netter was more than worth talking about. 

Edstrom did little more than briefly pin his opponent against the boards, steal the puck, and from quite the distance, he fired a floater down the ice and increased the Blueshirts lead to three goals. 

Adam Edstrom scored a memorable empty-netter for the NY Rangers

There are two reasons this goal was so memorable despite it being a preseason empty-netter. For one, Edstrom made everything look so methodic, and it was like he did nothing more than go through the motions. For another, most of these floaters wouldn’t find the net but the boards, which, unless the puck bounced off a stick or a skate, would lead to an icing call. 

You won’t see players score goals like this often in the regular season. And while there will be more memorable ones that don’t involve empty nets, the way Edstrom found twine late is one fans could be talking about when the 2025 preseason rolls around. 

Either way, the play brought Edstrom closer to earning a spot in the lineup, as he did everything right in regaining possession of the puck before driving it home. Scoring the game’s final goal was nothing more than a bonus, and a few more plays like that, he could be a permanent fourth-liner as the Rangers chase another deep playoff run.