Game 1 is tonight and I think collectively as a group we are ready. This offseason has brought us some much enjoyment and hope. Signing Artemi Panarin, dealing for Trouba and Fox, drafting our savior Kaapo Kakko (Cakeo). We watched the Traverse City tournament in which Kaapo dazzled and Adam Fox led the charge. We watched some preseason hockey in which we got to see some these kids, our kids, compete night in and night out. We’ve got to see how our lineup is forming and we’ve got to hear a lot of people complain about it, as is Rangers Twitter. But now, all of that doesn’t matter. Tonight the New York Rangers, OUR New York Rangers embark on an 82 game grind to make the playoffs. Tonights lineup should look something like this:
Panarin – Zibanejad – Buchnevich
Kreider – Strome – Kakko
Namestnikov – Howden – Fast
Lemieux – Andersson – Smith
Skjei – Trouba
Staal – DeAngelo
Hajek – Fox
Lundqvist
Georgiev
Will the Rangers make the playoffs? I don’t know but I wouldn’t be shocked if they did and that in itself is quite the victory. The lineup will look way different come the new year with players like Chytil, Kravtsov and Lindgren knocking on the door. Role players like Greg damn McKegg and Micheal Haley will serve a purpose.
Rangers Twitter has talked that there will be some big announcement tonight and while a majority of us thought that was Mika getting the C, that’s not the case. Could it be a lady liberty 3rd jersey?
I don’t know, but I’d love it.
I am so excited for the pregame ceremony. Fuck, I’m even excited to see those stupid Air France commercials. For the next I don’t know 8, 9 months we will be together on a journey, watching our kids grow, watching our team form an identity. If that doesn’t give you goosebumps, I don’t know what will.
LETS FUCKING GO.
The Morning Skate 