Wrapping up preseason Game 2; Wayne Simmonds wants blood; Talbot healthy; J.T.'s time

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Making my first trip to MSG tonight since Game 4 of the Stanley Cup, so, you know, there might be some feels that come with that. We're getting pretty close to the end of the preseason, the likes of which will finish out this week. That means it's officially crunch time. But we've got a lot to review, so without further ado, your morning notes.

Beginning with that game tonight against the Flyers, here's what the Rangers lineup is expected to look like.

The Rangers got in the win column in exhibition hockey, taking down the Blackhaks 5-4 on Friday. Some things that we know from that game.


How some of the Rangers players fared (spoiler: J.T. Miller was at it again). [Blueshirt Banter]
I mean, let's face it: The time is now for Miller. [Newsday]
The 19-year-old Anthony Duclair got his first crack at pro hockey. The first verdict. Quite good. [Ranger Rants]
Here is Duclair being good to the tune of his first professional goal, in GIF form. [Blueshirt Banter]
It wasn't quite an opportunity for revenge for Brad Richards, at least in his own eyes. He holds no ill-will against his former club. [ESPN]
Wayne Simmond is not happy with the Rangers. This much we probably already knew, but now, it's documented. [The Hockey News]

Derick Brassard and Rick Nash may be better suited to play on a line together than most assume. [Blueshirt Banter]

Chris Kreider and Carl Hagelin pace the Rangers fast offense. This summer, they were working to make sure everything runs smoothly going forward. [Daily News]

And Kreider, who is entering technically what is only his sophomore season, has become a young leader. [NY Post]

Glen Sather has a history of offering up second chances, something he again showed this summer. [Blueshirt Banter]

After a freak injury that knocked him out of the playoffs, Cam Talbot is back to full health. [Newsday]

Matthew Lombardi was the latest Ranger to go down, suffering a groin injury. [Ranger Rants]

And with both Ryan Malone and Lombardi nursing injuries, it may be the kid's time. [Daily News] [Newsday]

Among those young guys looking to crack the ranks is Jesper Fast, looking to carve out a role for himself at the NHL level. [NY Post]

Ottawa Senators vs Toronto Maple Leafs Games P3 & P4 Preview

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One of the NHL’s biggest rivlaries kicks off preseason style with a simultaneous split squad double header home and home series.

 

VS

Game 1:  7:30 PM EST

Game 2:  7:30 PM EST

Scotia Bank Place Ottawa,Ont

Air Canada Centre Toronto,Ont

TV: TSN 5  RADIO: TSN1200

MATCHUP HISTORY

The Battle of Ontario kicks off Wednesday, September 24th. The Ottawa Senators and Toronto Maple Leafs square off in two split squad games. Ottawa lost the season series last year. The Senators went 1-1-2 last year, with two losses coming via the shoot out. The Senators need to do their best to limit Phil Kessel. Kessel put up 7 points against the Senators last year.  The Senators need to play disciplined, and avoid going to the penalty box.

LAST GAMES

Ottawa Senators 2-3(SO) New York Islanders

Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 Philadelphia Flyers

PLAYERS TO WATCH – There are many players to watch in the two games. Young guns such as Mark Stone and Curtis Lazar, as well as established stars such as Bobby Ryan and Erik Karlsson. The Leafs showcase talent such as Phil Kessel and James Van Riemysdyk. Both Ottawa and Toronto will see their fair share of established NHL talent, as well as up and coming players looking to make an impact in the NHL.

Game 1

Senators – The Senators will ice a lineup that will include Craig Anderson and Chris Driedger as the goalies. The defence features Erik Karlsson, Marc Methot, Eric Gryba,Mark Borowiecki, Chris Wideman, Fredrik Claesson, Michael Sdao and Patrick Mullen.

The forwards will be Bobby Ryan, Chris Neil, David Legwand, Curtis Lazar, Kyle Turris,Clarke MacArthur, Colin Greening, Brad Mills, Matt Puempel, Jakub Culek, Alex Guptill,Carter Camper, Buddy Robinson, Derek Grant and Garrett Thompson.

Leafs- The Leafs could have stars such as Nazim Kadri, David Booth, and young defense man Morgan Reilly. Benier, Gibson or Heeter could be in net.

Game 2

Senators – The Senators could feature Mike Hoffman, Mika Zibanejad, Jared Cowen, Robin Lehmer and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

Leafs- The Leafs could have stars such as James Van Riemsdyk, Joffrey Lupil and Phil Kessel. James Reimer is expected to start between the pipes.

TOP 3 STORYLINES FOR THE GAMES

1.  Make an Impact – This statement was made in the last pre-season match up. It is very true in all preseason games. It is imperative for young guns like Curtis Lazar, Matt Puempel and anyone else bordering on a roster spot to have a good game. Pre-season performance can be the difference between playing with the Ottawa Senators, versus playing with the Binghamton Senators.

2. Limit Penalties – The Senators lead the league 5 on 4 power play chances against. It would be good to see the Senators stay out of the box, and take a more disciplined approach to the upcoming season. Everything starts in the pre-season, they need to make a commitment to stay out of the box starting now.

3.  Solid Goaltending – Who will be the number one goaltender by the end of the season? It is important for both Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner to provide a solid presence in the net. It is most likely Craig Anderson’s starting job to lose. It would be amazing to see solid performance from both goaltenders on Wednesday night.

ENJOY WATCHING/LISTENING TO THE GAMES!

Kraft Hockeyville 2014: Calgary Flames vs. Arizona Coyotes In Sylvan Lake

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September 24th, 2014 will mark a significant day for Sylvan Lake, Alberta. As the winners of Kraft Hockeyville 2014, the small town of Sylvan Lake will be hosting a nationally aired NHL preseason game between the Arizona Coyotes and the Calgary Flames. This is ginormous news for the minuscule town of only 13,015 (2013 Census).

CBC Sports will be broadcasting the came all over Canada, and you will be able to stream it live over at CBCsports.ca. The game starts is on Wednesday night. The live airtime’s in Ontario, and the east are at 7 p.m. ET on CBC-TV , and 7 p.m. local time in Manitoba and to the west. Sportsnet 360 will also carry CBC’s broadcast of the game live across Canada beginning at 7 p.m. ET.

Jeff Orridge, the executive director over at CBC Sports said;

“CBC is proud to continue to support and celebrate the spirit of community and grassroots hockey across Canada with the Kraft Hockeyville broadcast from Sylvan Lake. Initiatives like Kraft Hockeyville and the Hockey Night in Canada Help Fund have long been an important part of CBC’s support of amateur and grassroots athletics at the local level, and to see the product of these efforts shared with viewers across the country is always rewarding.”
On top of the honor of having this preseason game in their hometown, Sylvan Lake will get the generous donation of $100,000 in arena upgrades . This is provided in part by the Hockey Night in Canada Help Fund, who has donated more than $163,000 to small community hockey leagues, team and organizations since the start in 2006.

To add to the fun, Ron MacLean will be the host of the Broadcast, along with a play-by-play crew of Rick Ball and Kelly Hrudey. To accompany the play-by-play team is Cassie Campbell-Pascall who will be reporting from ice level. Don Cherry will join Ron MacLean during the first intermission to provide a special program of Coach’s Corner.

Caps' Winter Classic jerseys are ... uh ... (PHOTOS)

Shortly before the Washington Capitals unveiled their Winter Classic jerseys, Caps blog Russian Machine Never Breaks got their hands on a leaked photo, and they are sure are ... they sure are something.

Of all the hockey jerseys in the world, that is one.

The logo is better than we'd initially thought; the nod to the Washington Monument in the middle of the 'W' is cool, as are the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia stars.

But man, historical or not, the barber pole look is just too much. There's always going to be a faux-back element to Classic jerseys, but this a logo and design the franchise never came close to wearing, and beyond that, on its own merit, it's ... hoo boy.

The pickins were slim, given how few looks the Caps have worn in their 40 years, but this outcome is not great. If you're going to deviate from "The Brand," awesome — people still have to look at it. (This is where we say that people will still buy it, which means the Caps will accomplish their ultimate goal, and that's cool.)

There's a full gallery of photos at Monumental Network.