The NY Rangers cannot solve the Devils neutral zone trap.

It’s odd to say the Rangers look bored in a game, but the Rangers looked bored in last night’s loss to the Devils in their third preseason game. This is expected when they dress 6 NHL forwards and 2 NHL defensemen, but that’s what the preseason is about. Most of the roster spots are spoken for, which can be discouraging for a few of the kids looking to make an impression. Most of the kids need at least a year in Hartford anyway.

It’s the preseason, no need to worry.

  • I laughed at the Rangers Twitter discourse the other day about Adam Fox being bad, or lazy, or whatever that discussion was about. It’s the preseason. And then he goes and threads the needle to Chris Kreider. He’s fine, folks.
  • You know who’s not fine? Julien Gauthier. Even when he scores, he doesn’t. But he is living up to the Kreider-lite mantra by running goalies.
  • The first Devils goal was honestly just a good play, and Miles Wood got behind Matt Bartkowski. Libor Hajek was on the ice, but this one wasn’t on him. Bartkowski is on a PTO, and that play didn’t do him any favors.
  • The second Devils goal was a bit surprising. Dougie Hamilton has a good shot, but you expect Igor Shesterkin to stop that. I don’t think the goal is on Shesterkin, mind you. It’s just we expect him to stop everything.
  • I guess the Rangers will be a dangerous shorthanded team this year? Play the skill guys on the penalty kill, please.
  • It’s clear the Rangers were lacking on defense, as the Devils had a lot of open ice to work with. It showed on all three goals. It’s preseason and the Rangers dressed 2 NHL defensemen. That’s what happens.
  • The Kid Line looked great again. I know they’d wind up as the third line, but I want this trio to stick together. They are so much fun.
  • That said, for them to stick together, Vitali Kravtsov needs to stick with the second line and Sammy Blais with the top line. Blais with Kreider and Mika Zibanejad didn’t look overly good last night. But most of the team didn’t look good.
  • This was a rather lackluster game for the Rangers. I guess we should expect a few more games where the Rangers look bored. It’s expected in the preseason for the regulars. Take the positives and go from there.

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