Lightning couldn’t strike twice.
The Rangers came out of the gates firing on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden in the season opener. The building was rocking. Mika Zibanejad was rolling. The centerman came inches from a hat trick and the Blueshirts took down the Lightning team that beat them in the Eastern Conference Finals.
It was a heck of a start, but GM Chris Drury is a bit strapped when it comes to the cap, especially if anyone goes down with an injury — like Vitali Kravtsov did in the opener.
To talk about that and everything Rangers, we bring you a new episode of the “Up In The Blue Seats” podcast with beat writer Mollie Walker, Hall of Famer Larry Brooks and me. Rangers great and MSG Network analyst Dave Maloney joined us.
Up In The Blue Seats Podcast with Jake Brown, Mollie Walker & Larry Brooks:
- OPENING WIN: Mika Zibanejad reminded the NHL how great of a player he is with a two-goal season opener. MSG was rocking on Tuesday. Fans went nuts for Henrik Lundqvist on the jumbotron. Could not have opened the season on a higher note, especially against the Lightning.
- CAP SPACE: Chris Drury is walking a tightrope. Rangers don’t have enough cap space to accommodate injuries. They don’t have room to bring in replacements. They will have almost no space at the deadline. There may be games this year in which they play short. You can’t start a season with less than $200k in cap space.
- PATRICK KANE: Unless they clear space, it’s going to be tough to get Kane. He would be the perfect fit for this Rangers team and they should do whatever they can to try to bring him here. He would fit right in with Artemi Panarin.
- LIBOR HAJEK: Expects them to be fair with him, but he may be sitting for a bit.
- 1-ON-1 WITH CHRIS KREIDER: Larry details his conversation with Kreider and how much he enjoys talking to him.
- WHO LARRY DIDN’T GET ALONG WITH: Larry names the one Rangers player he did not see eye-to-eye with.
Dave Maloney Interview: Rangers legend, MSG Network and ESPN Radio NY Rangers analyst
- CAPTAIN TROUBA: Reflecting back to his own time as captain of the Rangers and what it means. It’s important that there is a hierarchy. They got the right guy. Mark Messier took the captain role to another level. Managing own emotions in a positive way way the toughest part.
- HIGH EXPECTATIONS: Having expectations after making the Stanley Cup in 1979. This team has expectations now after making the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
- K’ANDRE MILLER: He’s a wonderful skater. He’s become more confident in all elements of the game. They are going to have to figure out how to pay him moving forward.
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Catch up on all episodes of “Up In The Blue Seats,” a New York Rangers podcast, by subscribing to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow the crew on Twitter @MollieeWalkerr, @JakeBrownRadio & @NYP_Brooksie.Comments
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