Rangers preview: A new-look Blueshirts lineup gets its first test in Boston

[Forth Line Goon]

The Rangers begin the 2026–27 season Tuesday at TD Garden, facing the Bruins at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. An Original Six opener is familiar territory; the lineup New York brings into it is anything but. Six projected skaters joined the club this summer, and 18-year-old defenseman Alberts Smits is in position to make his NHL debut. For Mike Sullivan, coaching his 1,000th NHL game against his hometown team, the first question is how quickly those pieces can play together under regular-season pressure.

Gabe Perreault is projected beside Mika Zibanejad and Alexis Lafrenière after recording 27 points in 49 games last season. Zibanejad led the Rangers with 78 points, including 34 goals. The second line puts two summer additions, Oliver Bjorkstrand and Pavel Dorofeyev, around captain J.T. Miller. Dorofeyev scored 37 goals for Vegas last season. That is considerable finishing talent, but Tuesday will show how the line handles its work without the puck as well as with it.

In net, Igor Shesterkin is projected to start after posting a 25-19-6 record, 2.50 goals-against average and .912 save percentage in 2025–26. New York went 2-2 in its four-game preseason. The opener offers a much clearer read on where this group stands.

Projected lines​

Forwards

Gabe Perreault – Mika Zibanejad – Alexis Lafrenière
Oliver Bjorkstrand – J.T. Miller – Pavel Dorofeyev
Will Cuylle – Noah Laba – Eeli Tolvanen
Tye Kartye – Joseph Veleno – Matt Rempe

Defense

Vladislav Gavrikov – Adam Fox
Marcus Pettersson – Sean Durzi
Alberts Smits – Braden Schneider

Goalies: Igor Shesterkin; Joonas Korpisalo.

Vincent Iorio is on injured reserve with a lower-body injury.

What to watch​

The Miller line is the most immediate experiment. Dorofeyev gives the Rangers a proven goal scorer, while Bjorkstrand adds another shooting option; watch how often they can get into dangerous ice together rather than settling for chances from the outside. On the back end, Smits faces his first NHL game alongside Schneider. Boston’s top six will test his decisions quickly, particularly when shifts extend in the defensive zone. And with Charlie McAvoy suspended, New York has an opportunity to make the Bruins’ defense work below its goal line.

What’s next​

The Rangers return to Madison Square Garden for their home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m. ET.