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**Headline: Islanders Seek First Preseason Win Against Rangers, Face Injury Woes**

**New York, NY** – The New York Islanders will visit Madison Square Garden Thursday night to face the New York Rangers in preseason action, seeking their first victory of the exhibition schedule. The puck drops at 7 p.m., with the game broadcast on MSGSN.

The Islanders are coming off a 6-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday and a 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers last Sunday. Following Thursday’s contest, they face a quick turnaround, hosting the Devils again on Friday.

Coach Patrick Roy is giving Calum Ritchie another look. He wants to see him build off his first game and see how he reacts when things don’t go his way. He is vying for a roster spot.

However, the Islanders are battling a growing list of injuries. Anthony Duclair is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, unrelated to his previous groin issue. Daylan Kuefler is also sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained in the Devils game, with a clearer timeline expected after the swelling subsides. Captain Anders Lee is expected to miss one to two weeks with an upper-body injury suffered on Sunday. Max Tsyplakov is also day-to-day.

Goaltending duties will be split between David Rittich, who will start and play the first two periods, and Marcus Hogberg, who will take over for the third period. Henrik Tikkanen will travel with the team as the third goalie. Kashawn Aitcheson was returned to his junior team, the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.

The projected Islanders lineup is as follows:

* Heineman – Ritchie – Palmieri
* MacLean – Pageau – Holmstrom
* Terry – Highmore – Jefferies
* Veremyev – Berg – Maggio
* Pelech – Pulock
* George – Boqvist
* Mitchell – Day

McWard will be a healthy scratch.

The Rangers, who are 1-0-1 in the preseason, are coming off a 5-4 overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday. Noah Laba leads the team with three points in two games. Gabe Perreault leads the team with two preseason goals. The Rangers projected lineup is as follows:

* Perreault – Miller – Zibanejad
* Lafrenière – Trocheck – Othmann
* Berard – Laba – Sheary
* Edstrom – Roobroeck – Rempe
* Soucy – Fox
* Robertson – Rempe
* Pouliot – Morrow

Fans who purchase a ticket plan by September 26th will have the opportunity to attend a BBQ with select Islanders players.

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