Preseason: Senators 8, Rangers 5

A final score of 8-5 hearkens back to the halcyon days of the all-offense '80s but let's face it, it was more a result of terrible play than some outrageous display of skill. That being said, it was wild game that was quite entertaining once you accepted the fact that it was meaningless in the standings ... the same with the rest of the Ranger preseason. When you take away the dread of inevitable disappointment and you add in youthful exuberance, you have some fun hockey. These Rangers have been fun to watch, win, lose or shootout. Now the $25,000 question: will it carry over into the regular season?

I certainly hope/pray/dream so.

The Rangers iced a team of players desperate to make their marks against Ottawa's NHL team and they hung with them until late in the third period. Not bad. Two empty net goals make it appear like a worse loss than it was but the scoreline isn't the all-important result, what was seen during the loss is what was important as it will help determine the Rangers opening night roster. So here is what I saw:

*We may have another Brashear on our hands with Boogaard. His cup check on Chris Neil was not some kind of revenge for Neil's hit on Staal, it was clearly a misguided attempt to start a fight. Lurch had nothing better to do on the ice so he did something dumb. It was a classic cheap shot, and Neil acted it right, doubling over to get Boogey tossed and the Sens a five minute major. Now I have no problem with provoking a guy - Sean Avery is my favourite Ranger after all - but you just don't hit a guy in the nuts. It was senseless, it was classless and there is no room in the NHL for that anymore. If Boogey wants to play like that, he can go join Brash in the Quebec senior goon league.

*Fellow fourth liner Brian Boyle was the exact opposite. As all of the usual leaders were scratched for the game, Boyle was given a letter and he honoured it with a fantastic performance. The Rangers scored five goals, Boyle didn't get a single point and yet he was the best Blueshirt on the ice. He has been astounding this preseason, blowing away the old perception of him as fat, soft and ugly (playing) Susan Boyle.

*Speaking of ugly, Marty Biron was horrible. The team in front of him didn't do him any favours to be sure, but he couldn't stop a beach ball. Six goals allowed on 26 shots is ridiculous. I said it would be hard for him to shake the stink of the Islanders from his pads and it certainly hasn't happened yet. If he doesn't get his game together in the next week, we will be doomed to another season of running Hank into the ground.

*As for the defensemen in front of him, they were a mess. None of these guys have been on a stable pairing and they clearly have no chemistry or familiarity with each other. Everyone had Mike Sauer and Pavel Valentenko as the two bubble guys but I thought they were the best of the blueliners. Hobey looked lost, MDZ was a trainwreck defensively (as per usual), Eminger was awful and McDonagh showed his youth. Send McD down and keep Eminger only until Rozy returns.

*It is amazing how Tortorella wore out his welcome in Tampa and yet the players who have been reunited with him step up their games immediately. Last season Vinny Prospal instantly turned his game around and now it is Ruslan Fedotenko's turn. I didn't like the guy on Pittsburgh, I was worried he would take Avery's job and yet now I can't imagine the Rangers starting this season without him. Hopefully, unlike Prospal, Fedotenko can carry the momentum throughout the entire season. Prospal disappeared when the Rangers needed him most last year ...

*Derek Stepan was -4, Erik Christensen was -3 and Arty Anisimov was -2 while Todd White was +2. Arty is not going anywhere (for better or worst) so at least one of the remaining three will be bounced. White played like his career was on the line and came up with two goals, but is it enough to save him a spot on Broadway? Unless Sather can translate those two goals into a decent draft pick, I would say yes. Christy is the one that I think finds himself in Hartford, at least until Stepan shows his stuff in the regular season. This -4 was offset by a nice goal and the fact that he was playing with different wingers yet again.

*The two Wolf Pack callups, Weise and MZA, were both involved. Weise assisted on Arty's goal and got his ass handed to him in an awkward fight against Nick Foligno. MZA scored a great goal on a give-and-go with Tim Kennedy but still showed the deficiencies that got him banished to Hartford in the first place. He should be sent back down but it was good to get another look at him in a higher level. As for Weise, well he is willing to give his all for the team so that has to mean something. We'll see exactly what in the next few days.

 Preseason Thriller: Senators 8, Rangers 5

The preseason in any sports league is a time of anticipation and experimentation. It's an opportunity for teams to assess their rosters, test new strategies, and give prospects a chance to shine. On a crisp autumn evening, the Ottawa Senators clashed with the New York Rangers in a preseason game that turned into an unexpected high-scoring thriller. In this article, we'll dissect the game, analyze standout performances, and explore the implications of this preseason showdown.

A High-Scoring Affair

Preseason games often lack the intensity of regular-season matchups, but the Senators and Rangers threw that notion out the window in this game. The final score of 8-5 in favor of the Senators raised eyebrows and left fans on both sides entertained.

The Offensive Explosion

The game showcased a flurry of goals from both teams, highlighting the offensive potential of each roster. While preseason games are often marked by tentative play, this contest featured a relentless barrage of shots and scoring opportunities.

Standout Performances

Several players seized the opportunity to shine in this preseason clash:

a. Young Guns:

Young prospects from both teams made their presence felt. Ottawa's Tim Stutzle, a highly-touted rookie, showcased his playmaking abilities with a goal and an assist. On the Rangers' side, Kaapo Kakko, another talented rookie, netted two goals, giving fans a glimpse of his scoring prowess.

b. Veteran Leadership:

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk led by example, contributing with a goal and an assist. On the Rangers' side, Mika Zibanejad displayed his scoring touch with two goals, reminding fans of his offensive prowess.

c. Goaltending Battle:

The game also saw goaltending battles as both teams rotated their netminders. For the Senators, Anton Forsberg and Filip Gustavsson faced a barrage of shots, while the Rangers' Igor Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev had their hands full.

Implications for the Regular Season

While preseason outcomes don't directly translate to regular-season success, this high-scoring affair raised intriguing questions about each team's offensive capabilities and defensive adjustments. Coaches and management will undoubtedly use this game as a learning opportunity, assessing what worked and what needs improvement.

Fan Excitement

Preseason games may not have the same stakes as regular-season matchups, but they serve as a welcome return of hockey for fans. The excitement generated by this goal-filled contest provided a taste of what's to come when the regular season kicks off.

FAQs:

Q1: What's the purpose of preseason games in the NHL?

A1: Preseason games serve multiple purposes. They allow teams to evaluate talent, experiment with line combinations and strategies, and assess prospects. Preseason is also an opportunity for players to fine-tune their skills and conditioning before the regular season.

Q2: Do preseason game outcomes have any impact on a team's regular-season performance?

A2: Preseason outcomes are not indicative of regular-season success. Teams often use preseason to try different lineups and strategies. While winning is always a positive, the primary goal is to prepare for the regular season and make roster decisions.

Q3: How do preseason games differ from regular-season games in terms of intensity?

A3: Preseason games tend to have lower intensity compared to regular-season contests. Players are often working on their conditioning and skill development rather than focusing on winning. However, the intensity can vary depending on the matchup and the players' eagerness to make the roster.

The preseason clash between the Ottawa Senators and the New York Rangers was an unexpected high-scoring thriller that left fans eager for the regular season. Standout performances from rookies and veterans alike, coupled with a relentless offensive display, made this game a memorable preseason spectacle. As both teams continue to prepare for the regular season, the lessons learned from this game will undoubtedly shape their strategies and roster decisions. Hockey fans can look forward to more exciting matchups as the season unfolds, with the memory of this preseason thriller as a tantalizing preview of what's to come.