The Blueshirts will have Henrik Lundqvist in net for the first time this preseason after Lundqvist represented Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. No. 30, who practiced with his team Sunday afternoon, is expected to split tonight's game with Mackenzie Skapski.
"I felt after a few days that I wanted to get going again," Lundqvist told reporters Sunday. "I felt like I had enough rest. I have another 10 days [before the start of the regular season on Oct. 13]. There's more work to do."
Another new face getting into tonight's lineup is Derek Stepan, who like Lundqvist, missed the start of training camp when he was representing Team USA at the World Cup. Also like Lundqvist, Stepan earlier this week said he'd prefer to play sooner rather than later, and he'll get his wish on a line with Rick Nash and rookie Jimmy Vesey.
Kevin Hayes is slated to center the red-hot Brandon Pirri and rookie Pavel Buchnevich on the second line in Philadelphia. Pirri has been the Rangers' most dangerous forward through two games with three goals and two assists, including four points on the power play.
Marek Hrivik is between J.T. Miller, who picked up an assist in his first preseason game Saturday night in New Jersey, and rookie Robin Kovacs. Invitee Max Lapierre will appear in his fourth preseason game and will center Tanner Glass and Malte Stromwall on the fourth-line.
The third World Cup of Hockey rep to make his debut tonight is captain Ryan McDonagh, who will anchor the defense alongside Adam Clendening, who has been one of the bigger surprises on defense, with four assists in two games thus far this preseason, including a pair against the Devils Saturday evening.
Round out the defense is Ryan Graves with Dylan McIlrath, and Chris Summers alongside Nick Holden.
