New York Rangers (0-0-0) @ Los Angelas Kings (0-0-0)
Today's game marks the second time in 4 years that the Rangers will be entering the season from Europe. New York played fairly well in the preseason going 1-1-1 against NHL teams and 3-1-0 against European teams. The Kings managed a 3-2-2 record against NHL teams without the talents of superstar defenseman Drew Doughty.
Todays main focus will be the arrival of two Richards, Brad and Mike. Brad was signed to a 9 year $58.5M early July to fill the Rangers void at center and to create a more efficient powerplay the Rangers so desperately need. With Brad Richards added to the Rangers roster, Slovak-sniper Marian Gaborik will now have an elite playmaker at his disposal. Brandon Dubinsky will be joining the two for the beginning of the season coming off a team-leading 24 goal/54 point campaign.
Former-Flyer captain Mike was surprisingly traded to the Kings late June for Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and a second-round pick in the upcoming draft. This gives tremendous depth down the middle for the Kings with Kopitar-Richards being the one-two punch.
Heres some game-notes from Newsday Steve Zipay:
The Rangers have five new players on their opening night roster: Brad Richards, Mike Rupp, Brendan Bell, Tim Erixon and Jeff Woywitka. Erixon is looking to make his NHL debut.
Ranger Milestones in sights - Brandon Prust: 3 games from 200th NHL career -Brad Richards: 4 assists from 500th NHL career -Mike Rupp: 3 games from 500th NHL career
The Rangers are currently 16 wins shy of 2,500 wins, having won 2,484 games all-time in franchise history.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS: Oct. 5 - Recalled defenseman Tim Erixon from Connecticut (AHL) Oct. 5 - Assigned forward Sean Avery to Connecticut (AHL) Oct. 5 - Placed defenseman Marc Staal on IR Oct. 6 - Claimed defenseman Jeff Woywitka off waivers from Montreal Oct. 6 - Assigned defenseman Stu Bickel to Connecticut (AHL)
Tonight's Lines:
NY Rangers
Dubinsky-Richards-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Anisimov-Callahan
Wolski-Stepan-Zuccarello
Prust-Boyle-Rupp
Mcdonagh-Girardi
Del Zotto-Sauer
Erixon-Eminger
Scratches: Bell, Woywitka, Christensen, Staal (IR)
Lundqvist
LA Kings Projected
Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Richardson-Richards-Brown
Parse-Stoll-Hunter
Clifford-Lewis-Moreau
Johnson, Doughty, Drewiske, Greene, Scuderi, Mitchell, Martinez
Quick
Scratches: Penner (IR) and one defenseman