Five Games to Watch Before New Years

It's August 1st, Ranger Nation, and that means one thing.

TWO MONTHS UNTIL OPENING NIGHT!

So it's never too early to look forward to a brand new Quest for the Cup, so I shall tease, I mean tickle your fancy by hyping up what this blogger believes to be the most intriguing games for the Rangers before the 2014 calendar year.

1. October 16, at Capitals.

This will be the Rangers' first game back on the east coast following a long, LONG west coast trip due to the final phase of the Madison Square Garden renovations. It is also a matchup against a team they knocked out of the playoffs in each of the last two seasons. The Rangers overcame series deficits of 2-0 and 3-2 to beat the Caps in 7, demolishing them 5-0 in Game 7 in D.C. You can bet the Caps will come into this game angry, and the Rangers may be weary after finally returning east. But of course, Alex Ovechkin may be secretly planning his escape to the KHL a la Ilya Kovalchuk, so we'll see how motivated his team really is.

2. October 28, vs Canadiens.

Finally, the Blueshirts return home. Fans (if they can afford it), can finally see a fully renovated Madison Square Garden. They'll have ten years to enjoy it, but that's a story for another post. Either way, this original six matchup is fascinating in both teams' contrast of playing styles. Montreal boasts the black-and-blue shirt mentality that former coach John Tortorella preached upon the Rangers during their run to the 2012 Eastern Final. Montreal used a similar philosophy in being a surprise division champion last season. Now, the Rangers boast an offense-minded system under new coach Alain Vigneault. It will be interesting to see which system shines the brightest in the home opener.

3. November 7, at Blue Jackets.

Reunion day! Rick Nash, Derick Brassard, and John Moore return to Columbus for the first time as Rangers. The Rangers get to see old friends Marian Gaborik, Brandon Dubinsky, and Artem Anisimov in a Columbus uniform for the first time. How will Nash be received by the Columbus fans? The guess here is that he gets a mixed reception. He is the franchise's greatest player, but never led the team to a playoff victory. Regardless of the response, the fangirls will be out in full force for this one.

4. November 30, vs Canucks.

John Tortorella's return to the Garden. Come for the game, stay for the postgame presser. Will he throw down with Larry Brooks? What is the over/under on cuss words he will use? Will he inadvertently take a shot at Ranger personnel, namely Glen Sather? As for receptions, expect a lot of boos. Torts was not well liked among a large faction of Ranger fans.

5. December 23, vs Maple Leafs.

The last of nine consecutive home games for the Blueshirts before Christmas. Not only is this a matchup against one of the NHL's most improved teams, but the results of this long homestand will serve as a barometer for where the Rangers are at this point of the season. Finishing the stand on a high note with a win against a Leafs team that gave the Rangers fits last year will boost the team's confidence. Vigneault's style of play will be more competitive with the up-tempo style Toronto boasts. May not be the best matchup of the stand, but certainly one of the most exciting.