The New York Rangers wrap up their preseason this afternoon at 2 p.m., traveling to face the Boston Bruins in their final tune-up before the 2025-26 regular season.
Coming off a 3-1 loss at home to the New Jersey Devils, the Blueshirts will ice a roster that closely resembles what they’ll start the season with. Here are three players to watch as New York closes out its preseason.
Projected lines and players to watch
Here's how #NYR look at practice:
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 3, 2025
Cuylle - Miller - Zib
Sheary - Trocheck - Laf
Pärssinen - Laba - Raddysh
Edström - Carrick - Rempe
(Berard and Brodzinski rotating in)
Gavrikov - Fox
Schneider - Borgen
(Soucy, Vaakanainen and Robertson rotating on the bottom pair)
Mika Zibanejad
Mika Zibanejad is traditionally a slow starter and throughout his career he's posted a line of 35-55-90 in 113 games in the month of October, and 34-55-89 in 127 games played in November per Hockey-Reference. Compare that to 105 points in 124 games played in December, and 106 points in 124 games played in January. This season he's starting on the wing, and he will skate with the players he ended the 2024-25 season with. Zibanejad's game improved when J.T. Miller returned to New York, and that combination continuing to click would be great for all parties involved.
Adam Fox
Fox drew a lot of criticism for his play last season, even though he was an elite defenseman with numbers that should have put him in consideration for the Norris Trophy. This year is a big one for Fox, as not only is he playing to prove his critics wrong, he's looking to earn a spot on Team USA for the Olympics. This final tune up in Boston will be against the Bruins and Charlie McAvoy, a defender who has already been named to the olympic roster over Fox. That may give him a little extra motivation in the final game before the start of the regular season, and there's nothing wrong with using that fire to his advantage.
Igor Shesterkin
Shesterkin will be between the pipes after Jonathan Quick took a turn on Thursday against the Devils. This is the first year of Shesterkin's new contract, and he's eager to get off to a good start and help the Blueshirts bank points and get back to the playoffs. The soon-to-be 30 year old wants to reclaim his place as the league's top netminder, and he has a chance to have a strong showing against a Bruins squad that isn't expected to do much of anything this season.
How to watch
Game Time: 2:00 P.M. EST
Channel: MSG Network, Gotham Sports App, NHL Network (Select markets)
Radio: ESPN NY 98.7 FM