According to Andrew Gross via twitter the New York Rangers
will start tonight’s preseason opener in Albany with the following
combinations:
NYR lines: Hagelin-Christensen-Thomas,
Dubinsky-Anisimov-Weise, Bourque-McColgan-Deveaux, Avery-Mitchell-Miller.
#NYR D-pairs: Del Zotto-Eminger, Erixon-McIlrath,
Girardi-Bell. Lundqvist figures to start.
Interesting to see how Tortorella has put Hagelin and
Thomas, players looking to steal roster spots from veterans with Erik
Christensen, who is trying to save his job, as a way to see who stands
out. Avery still being with John
Mitchell and J.T. Miller does not bode well for his future with the team, but
Mitchell has played well in camp so maybe it can help Avery.
The defense pairings are even more interesting. Tortorella putting Bell with Girardi is
giving him an excellent opportunity to get into the battle for the final defense
pairing, while Del Zotto gets a chance to play with Eminger who has played with
before and could be a final pair preview for Tortorella. Somewhat surprising to see Erixon not get a
shot with an NHL player, but he is comfortable with McIlrath, so that could be
beneficial to him in a different way.
Battles going on all over the roster are the most fun thing about
preseason.
