Alexis Lafreniere healthy scratch

The Rangers and Bruins swapped their varsity and JV teams, with the Rangers sending out mostly AHLers this time. However, the Rangers got the better of the Bruins despite Boston dominating most of the game. The Pastrnak-Bergeron-Marchand line accounted for all of Boston’s offense, and they got none after the five minute mark in the first period. Credit the Rangers for staying in it and getting the goals they needed. It’s only preseason, but their competitiveness definitely looked better this game.

First Period

  • There was a lot of action in the opening five minutes or so. The Bruins scored twice, once on the powerplay and once at evens. The Rangers, to their credit, did score immediately after the first goal. Being able to answer back is a good trait to have.
  • On the goals themselves, there wasn’t much doing on that poweprlay goal by David Pastrnak. Just tap your stick to a great pass by Patrice Bergeron.
  • The second goal was a little more nuanced. Dryden Hunt was back on the rush, covering for Libor Hajek. This happens often, a forward covering for a defenseman. The issue came when Hajek went to the man in front, already covered by Hunt, instead of going for the third man in, which was Bergeron.
  • PP1 had Alexis Lafreniere, Kaapo Kakko, Nils Lundkvist, and Ryan Strome, with Sammy Blais in front. That’s worth noting. Laf likely gets PP1 time, but that could be four of your PP2 guys. Blais is no Chris Kreider in front, but he did screen Linus Ullmark and get the goal.
  • Too many people laughed at Matthew Robertson falling down on the Brad Marchand goal. He didn’t blow a tire, but he definitely got crossed up on the play. It was his first preseason game in the NHL, and it was against Marchand. Let’s dial it back a bit, ok?

Second Period

  • Blais has had a strong preseason, certainly making it easier on him for a vocal section of this fan base.
  • Braden Schneider does look a lot better with the puck than I thought he would be. No panic in his game. Still learning, obviously. He’s making the safe moves with the puck, which is what you want to see.
  • We had a quick discussion in the BSB chat, and came to the conclusion that the fourth line, 13F and 14F spots are already set. Expect Lauri Pajuniemi and Morgan Barron, who do not need to clear waivers, to be sent down. Blais, Kevin Rooney, and Ryan Reaves will likely get the first game, with Julien Gauthier and Dryden Hunt rotating on the wings here and there. Injuries will work themselves out, of course.
  • Alex Georgiev was much better in the second, keeping the game at 3-2 when the Rangers couldn’t get a shot for ten minutes. But he has not had a good preseason. He really hasn’t looked good for a while now, save for those 2-3 game runs of being unbeatable.
  • Nils Lundkvist looked good this game. He has the assists this preseason, and that’s nice. What stood out was a play in the second where he had the puck behind the Rangers net, took a hit, and kept control of the puck. That’s what hockey strength is.

Third Period / Overtime / Shootout

  • The Bruins really dominated this game, and that’s ok. Unlike last game, where the Rangers played the Providence Bruins, the Bruins dressed a good amount of NHLers. The Rangers, on the other hand, had a few NHLers, but mostly dressed AHLers. The roles were reversed.
  • For a game that started with five goals in five minutes, was uneventful after.
  • Kevin Rooney, wow what a play on that penalty kill, then the penalty shot goal.
  • Julien Gauthier may not have a guaranteed roster spot, but he looked real good this game. That shoulder dip and drive around Brandon Carlo was nice.
  • The Rangers had the puck for one second in OT, and won. That was fun.
  • The shootout happened anyway, and Tyler Wall looked solid throughout. He had a fantastic game.

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