The New York Rangers face the Minnesota Wild with both teams entering the year with Stanley Cup aspirations. The Rangers were in the Eastern Conference Final last season and already have a 1-0 record after defeating the Lightning 3-1 on the opening night. The Wild meanwhile went 53-22-7 last year to boast the second-best record in the Central Division but are hoping to improve after a First Round exit. Both teams are hoping to start the season strong and make a statement in the opening week of the season.
The Rangers picked up where they left off from last season in their opening night win with their offense stepping up and scoring three goals. Mika Zibanejad, Chris Kreider, and Artemi Panarin led the top two lines with two goals and two assists but the entire offense looked great in the first game of the year. Barclay Goodrow added a goal to the middle of the forward unit while defensemen Jacob Trouba, K'Andre Miller, and Ryan Lindgren combined for three assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense stepped up but the defense continues to carry the Rangers, allowing only 2.49 goals per game last year and only one goal in the opening night win. Jacob Trouba and K'Andre Miller led the top pairing but the entire defense stepped up with Adam Fox and Ryan Lindgren also creating turnovers and giving the Rangers two great defensive pairings. Moreover, goaltender Igor Shesterkin looks t o build off the season where he won the Vezina Trophy after allowing only one goal on 26 shots on opening night.