PHILADELPHIA _ Most NHL players aren't interested in overtimes or shootouts in preseason games that don't count in the standings.
Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh has a different take, even though he's been training and playing since July, from Minnesota to Toronto.
"I don't know, you get good practice for the three-on-three, haven't seen it in a while," McDonagh said before his first exhibition game last night against the Flyers at Wells Fargo Center.
That's classic McDonagh, who is entering his third season as Rangers captain: Work hard and let your play do the talking.
McDonagh was one of four World Cup representatives in the Rangers lineup as head coach Alain Vigneault attempted to give those players time to adjust to teammates, and evaluate AHL players, free agents and tryouts before the next round of cuts after tonight's game in Brooklyn.
The 27-year-old defenseman led Team USA with two goals in the Americans' three games, but was a minus-2. Although the U.S. elimination was quick _ in three straight games _ McDonagh said that "personally I was strong on the ice, felt I was skating well, felt quick and good with the puck. So from that aspect, it gives me some confidence in joining the team again."
Without Keith Yandle, the blueliner who posted 42 assists before signing a free-agent contract for this season with Florida, the Rangers need offensive contributions from McDonagh similar to his 2013-14 season, when he scored 14 goals and 43 points in the regular season and four goals and 17 points in 25 playoff games.
For the last two seasons, McDonagh, slowed by shoulder, hand and neck injuries as well as a concussion on a hit from the Flyers' Wayne Simmonds, had just 33 and 34 points.
"You just want to make sure you're defensively sound and making good plays in your own end," he said.
For the first time, McDonagh was paired with Adam Clendening, a free-agent signee. "Haven't practiced with him too much, but just from watching, he's a real good puck mover," McDonagh said. "Has his head up the whole time, makes good outlet passes."
The Rangers lost to the Flyers 4-3 in overtime. Down 3-1, the Rangers tied the score in the third on goals by red-hot Brandon Pirri, who netted his fourth of the pre-season, and Jimmy Vesey, who had been drilled from behind, head-first into the boards, triggering a game misconduct for Radko Gudas at the end of the first period.
"Thought I had a little more time than that, didn't expect that big of a hit," Vesey said. "Next thing I knew I was face first into the glass. I felt fine, just got my nose square into boards."
