Predicted Rangers lineup tonight: New York's projected lineup for preseason game against Islanders | 24th Sept, 2024

On Tuesday, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders will compete in a highly-anticipated preseason matchup. While the game may be a preseason meeting between the two, given that both teams are based in New York, there's still plenty of excitement surrounding tonight's contest.

Ahead of the game, which is set for 7 p.m. EDT, USA Today's Vince Mercogliano took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share the projected lines for the Rangers as the team looks to pick up a second straight win following a 3-2 win over the Bruins on Sunday.

Forwards

• L1: Kreider - Zib - Smith
• L2: Panarin - Trocheck - Laf
• L3: Berard - Chytil - Othmann
• L4: Edstrom - Leschyshyn - Rempe

Defense

• L1: Lindgren - Fox
• L2: Jones - Trouba
• L3: Harpur - Ruhwedel

Goalies

• Igor Shesterkin
• Jonathan Quick

Power Play Units

• PP1: Fox, Zib, Kreider, Smith, Chytil
• PP2: Jones, Panarin, Trocheck, Laf, Othmann

The team's first two forward lines heading into the game are the opposite of the usual regular season lines, with the Panarin, Trocheck, Lafreniere line expected to start in the regular season, and the Kreider, Zibanejad, Smith line expected to serve as the second line.

The third and fourth forward lines appear to be a mix of prospects and emerging talent, and those who are expected to appear on the third and fourth lines during the regular season.

In the case of coach Laviolette's defensive lines, the Lindgren-Fox duo are expected to start in the regular season, with a Jones-Trouba secondary line expected to be the backup, much like tonight's preseason game.

Interestingly enough, Igor Shesterkin and Jonathan Quick are expected to handle goaltending duties after neither took to the ice in the Islander's preseason opener.

Looking at the New York Rangers and New York Islanders' preseason schedules

Last season, both the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders impressed during the regular season. The Rangers finished the year with the best record in the Metropolitan Division at 55-23-4, while the Islanders finished third in the division with 39-27-16.

Both teams entered the postseason with high hopes; however, the Islanders were eliminated by the Hurricanes in the first round, while the Rangers made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals before being eliminated by the Florida Panthers in a six-game series.

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Rangers picked up a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins in the preseason opener on Sunday with goals from Filip Chytil, Victor Mancini, and Alex Belzile, while Louis Domingue and Dyland Garand split time in the net.

On the flip side, the New York Islanders picked up a win in the preseason opener on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils, 4-2. Julien Gauthier, Simon Holmstöm, Anders Lee, and Cam Thiesing all contributed a goal, while Marcus Höberg handled the majority of netminding duties throughout the night.