Game 3 of 82: Don't Underestimate The 'Yotes

The New York Rangers are returning to Madison Square Garden for their home opener of the 2023-24 season after going 1-1 on their two-game road trip to kick off the year.

The New York Rangers had a very strong showing in their 5-1 victory against the Buffalo Sabres to start the season on a positive note. Unfortunately, they couldn't follow that up in Saturday night's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, as they fell by the score of 5-3. 

Those two games are now behind them as they return home to take on the Arizona Coyotes, who are a confident team after going into the Prudential Center and upsetting the Devils, winning by the score of 4-3 in a shootout. The Coyotes may have had an ugly couple of years, but they're not a team to sleep on this season. 

The 'Yotes have a ton of young talent with players like Nick Schmaltz, Clayton Keller, Barrett Hayton and their star rookie, Logan Cooley, who was incredibly impressive in his first NHL game as he racked up two assists. 

Per Mollie Walker, the Rangers lineup looks exactly as it did against the Sabres on opening night: 

Walker also reported that Rangers defensemen, Ryan Lindgren, will be a game-time decision after missing Saturday night's game. 

The Rangers won't be going up against the Coyotes number one goalie, Karel Vajmelka, who will be starting tomorrow night when the 'Yotes take on the New York Islanders. So instead, the Rangers will see Connor Ingram tonight, a goalie that doesn't have a ton of NHL experience, but has had a few strong showings. 

The key to victory for New York tonight is staying out of the box. Arizona was very successful on the man-advantage, converting on 2 out of their 7 opportunities thanks to the contributions from their first unit which consists of Sean Durzi, Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Logan Cooley and Barrett Hayton. 

On the flip side, the Rangers can't take Ingram lightly. They need to test him early and get bodies in front of him to take away his vision. Ingram will certainly have nerves as this will be his first start of the season and it makes it a little more nerve-racking that it's the Rangers home opener. 

Igor Shesterkin will be in goal for New York, which gives them an even bigger edge in this game, but if the Rangers take their opponent lightly, the Coyotes could steal one.