The preseason games have started to actually resemble NHL hockey, and that certainly made Henrik Lundqvist happy. Now, the Rangers veteran netminder is ready for what likely will be his final tune-up, preparing himself to play the entire game in the team’s penultimate exhibition match, when Alain Vigneault’s Flyers come to the Garden on Thursday night.
Lundqvist, 36, looked quite sharp in stopping all 13 shots he faced Tuesday in the first half of a 3-1 win over the Devils at the Garden. It was a stark contrast from the first preseason game he played, allowing three goals on a hectic 24 shots during the first 30 minutes of a 4-2 loss to the Devils in Newark on Friday.
Coach David Quinn was not clear on what he would do in nets for the final preseason game, Saturday night in Bridgeport, Conn., against the Islanders. It seems likely presumptive backup Alexandar Georgiev would play the whole game. That probably leaves Igor Shesterkin to backup in both games and then join AHL Hartford for the start of the season.
Defenseman Tony DeAngelo is set to make his preseason debut after ending his contract holdout at the end of last week.
“I think I’m 100 percent,” DeAngelo said after Wednesday’s practice, when he was back with his partner for most of the second half of last season, veteran Marc Staal. “Legs get a little heavy your first game in a while, but I’ll be fine.”
Quinn said he hopes DeAngelo can “pick up where he left off last year,” and that means creating offense while still being a steady and reliable defender.
Quinn said the closest to the opening-day roster was the group that played Tuesday night, and that the final two games would be more split-squad for guys vying for spots.
Going down to AHL Hartford were forward Phillip Di Giuseppe (who cleared waivers), goalie Adam Huska and defenseman Tarmo Reunanen. Defenseman Matt Robertson, this year’s second-round pick, was sent back to his junior team, WHL Edmonton, after he had a stellar start to camp before tweaking his groin. He could fight for a roster spot at this time next year.
That left the Rangers with 32 players remaining in camp: 19 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goaltenders. The roster needs to be down to a maximum of 23 by opening night.
