Lines for tonight’s preseason game

Photo by Jenn Pierce/NHLI via Getty Images

The Rangers have released their lineup for tonight against the Islanders:

J.T. Miller-Kevin Hayes-Niklas Jensen
Chris Kreider-Mika Zibanejad-Brandon Pirri
Michael Grabner-Nathan Gerbe-Jesper Fast
Tanner Glass-Marek Hrivik-Robin Kovacs

Marc Staal-Kevin Klein
Brady Skjei-Adam Clendening
John Gilmour-Dylan McIlrath

Antti Raanta
Magnus Hellberg

It’s interesting to see Jensen with both Miller and Hayes. It appears that Alain Vigneault wants to give him a shot in what could be a third line role, to see how he performs. My guess is that tonight is make-or-break for him though.

With Pirri playing so well, AV is seeing how he might perform in a top-six role. He’s certainly been something of a marvel this preseason, as his willingness to shoot –and shoot effectively– has been a breath of fresh air.

The third line looks like it could be the opening night fourth line. And yes, it does have Gerbe at center. He may not win all of the faceoffs, which in the grand scheme of things doesn’t mean much, but he’s got the right skill set to succeed in a defensive role and as a penalty killer.

I’m not quite sure what AV is looking at with the fourth line, though. Kovacs is destined for the AHL this season. Perhaps this is a competition between Glass and Hrivik to see who can be the 13F/14F? Maybe this game puts some distance between Hrivik and Glass, whichever way that pendulum swings.

As for the defense, the top four are clear-cut pairs AV is looking at as opening night pairs. Skjei has been significantly better since his first night debacle, and a pairing with Clendening makes sense if AV is committed to McDonagh-Girardi and Staal-Klein as the top-four. But then there’s McIlrath. I don’t know.

Expect more cuts either tonight or tomorrow, and a significant number of them at that.