The wait is finally over! The season started yesterday and the Rangers play the Islanders for the first time today at MSG. I’m so excited and the hype for the new teammates is off the charts.

This is going to be a wild and weird season. Shortened to 56 games and each division is only playing teams in their division to cut down on risky travel. The first week is going to be rough because no has played a hockey game in ages (those that didn’t make the playoff qualifier last year haven’t played in 10 months and everyone else it’s been 4-6 months).

The Rangers have massive potential. The draft picks from years ago are now coming in so the future of this team is being put to the test now. I’ve been waiting for K’Andre Miller for over 2 years now and it looks like he’s ready to become an all star. Number 1 draft pick Lafreniere also gets his debut and it’s needless to say a lot of eyes are on him too.

This squad is young. Just about every player who was on the team for the Stanley Cup against LA in 2014 is no longer with the team. There are a handful of vets that need to help shepherd these new guys. It’s going to be rough. Mistakes will be made. The potential high side is off the charts. The first line is simply monstrous, easily one of the strongest in the league.

But how is the defense? It’s going to be put to the test every night. The Metro division is stacked with killers and every one them is going to be played 8 times. There’s little room for error, every game counts with 26 fewer games in the season. This team has to stop more shots on goal and win faceoffs. Those were abysmal stats last year and both make it harder than necessary to win games.

Let the games begin! I’m so excited.