New York Rangers: Vesey and Lundqvist highlight an honorable effort in opening night loss

The New York Rangers’ first outing of the 2018-19 season came with many question marks and little expectations, but their performance certainly raised eyebrows against a potent Nashville Predators team.

If we learned anything about the New York Rangers‘ opening night defeat to Nashville, it’s that this team can grind.

As the word “rebuilding” is tossed around so frequently through the streets of Manhattan these days, I don’t think the fans nor the media were expecting much from this youth group against one of the NHL’s premiere teams.

However, David Quinn’s revitalized Rangers demonstrated the word they had been sporting on their training camp t-shirts all September long: “Relentless.”

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The Rangers out shot, out hit and blocked twice the amount of shots as Nashville did, all while staying disciplined throughout the night.

I’ll say, despite the hype heading into this game: the Rangers Town Hall, the blue carpet, the opening ceremony and the tear-jerking tribute to the legendary Rangers’ National Anthem singer, John Amirante, it was a slow start.

They couldn’t muster anything in the offensive zone and I thought to myself what every other impatient New Yorker thinks three minutes into the season: “It’s going to be a long year.”

But I was wrong. The mid-first period tic-tac-toe passing play that resulted on Jimmy Vesey‘s stick all alone with Pekka Rinne jump started the offense, and from there, we had a hockey game.

Interestingly enough, the two players with a growing stigma around them were the biggest highlights of the night.

“Jimmy Vesey is a bust.”

“Henrik Lundqvist is too old.”

These statements have been common during the agonizing six month hiatus of no hockey.

Many have been ragging on Vesey for his slow start in camp, but he came out flying at the Garden. A handful of the Rangers scoring opportunities were thanks to Vesey last night, and if it weren’t for Rinne’s all world goaltending, a couple would have greeted the twine.

Lundqvist showcased his usual highlight reel performance to prove that he’s only 36 years young.

Right off the bat he was turning aside prime chances from the Predators, including one jaw dropping flash of the leather on Craig Smith.

He ended the night with 30 saves on 32 shots from an elite opponent. Definitely reassuring looking ahead at the next 81 games.

Vesey and Lundqvist are just two of many Ranger names that have a chip on their shoulder this season.

As I’ve said in the past, this year may not have the highest of expectations, but it’s these personal story lines among the lineup that will make this season engaging.

Next. Full-blown Yanks-Sox ALDS Preview. dark

And hey, after the effort shown last night, who’s to say this team has a limit to their potential? They certainly don’t think so.

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