New York Rangers at Minnesota Wild 10/13/22 - NHL Picks & Predictions

The Minnesota Wild open the 2022-23 season at home against the New York Rangers on Oct. 13. The Rangers started its season Tuesday with a 3-1 win over a Tampa Bay Lightning team that knocked them out of the playoffs last season. The Wild won both games against the Rangers last year, outscoring New York 8-4.

New York made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season but lost to Tampa Bay in six games. The Rangers have a talented team led by the best goaltender in the league in Vezina Trophy winner in Igor Shesterkin and are expected to challenge for the Stanley Cup. Gerard Gallant is in second season managing the Rangers, which have a relatively young team despite a number to top veterans.

Jacob Trouba was named Rangers team captain during the offseason. Mika Zibanjead, Chris Kreider, Barclay Goodrow, and Artemi Panarin were all named as alternate captains recently. Zibanejad, Kreider and Kaapo Kakko make up the first line. The second line will be centered by free-agent signee Vincent Trocheck who left the Carolina Hurricanes for New York. Trocheck will be joined by wingers Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere. Ryan Lindgren and Adam Fox are New York’s top defenders with Trouba and Jaroslav Halak making up the second unit.

Minnesota’s captain is Jared Spurgeon, with Matt Dumba and Marcus Foligno as alternates. The Wild’s top line consists of center Ryan Hartman with wingers Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello. The second line is Joel Eriksson Ek with Foligno and Tyson Jost. Jonas Brodin and Dumba are the top defensemen, while Alex Goligoski and Spurgeon are the second unit.

The Wild have Marc-Andre Fleury back in goal after signing him to a two-year contract. Fleury came to Minnesota from Chicago before to the trade deadline last season and was set to be an unrestricted free agent. Veteran goaltender Cam Talbot to the Ottawa Senators for Filip Gustavsson who will be the No. 2 goalie.