For the ceremonial puck drop, the Rangers hosted Franco Monnecka, a youth hockey player for the Seacaucus Patriots.
In January of 2021, Monnecka was diagnosed with a rare form of Hodgkin's lymphoma. After three surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy, Monnecka is in remission and back with his team.
On Friday, he dropped the puck between Rangers forward Chris Kreider and Vegas Golden Knights forward Mark Stone before the game.
For the national anthem, the Rangers invited Kyle & Anthony Johnson, teenaged brothers from the Madison Square Boys & Girls Club.
The pair, recipients of a Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship, performed a wonderful rendition of the "The Star-Spangled Banner" together.
The Garden of Dreams Foundation works in conjunction with MSG Entertainment and MSG Sports to provide opportunity and access to young people in need.
