The New York Rangers are set to face the Utah Hockey Club in their home opener at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, October 12th, 2024. This marks the first-ever meeting between the two teams, as the Utah Hockey Club is a relocated franchise from Arizona following the Coyotes’ sale and relocation. Despite not being an expansion team, Utah has made a strong start to their inaugural season, with two wins against the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Islanders.
For the Rangers, Saturday’s game follows a dominant 6-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in their season opener, led by a stellar performance from goaltender Igor Shesterkin. The Rangers will look to maintain their strong form on home ice, where they’ve excelled over the past two seasons. Alexis Lafreniere, who had a birthday on Friday, will be one to watch after his impressive performance in Pittsburgh. Additionally, fellow forward Adam Edstrom celebrates his birthday on Saturday and is expected to make his second straight appearance.
On the Utah side, young players like Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley have made an immediate impact. Guenther leads the NHL in goals, while Cooley has been instrumental in setting up plays. With veterans like Mikhail Sergachev and Ian Cole providing leadership, Utah is shaping up to be a surprise contender early in the season.
The matchup promises to be a test for both teams, with the Rangers aiming to continue their early dominance and Utah looking to prove they belong among the NHL’s competitive teams. The game starts at 7 p.m. ET at Madison Square Garden.
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