Why Rangers making right decision playing Matthew Robertson in final preseason game

The final preseason game typically features an NHL team’s expected starting lineup for the regular-season opener. The New York Rangers are by and large following that unwritten rule when they visit the New York Islanders on Friday, but there could be one major exception.

Matthew Robertson will dress and make his preseason debut for the Rangers. Per coach Peter Laviolette, the 23-year-old defenseman will pair with Rangers blue-line regular Braden Schneider in the preseason finale on Long Island.

Does that mean Robertson will be on the opening-night roster, what with Ryan Lindgren sidelined by an upper-body injury? Not necessarily. But it is an important audition for the 2019 second-round pick.

What makes this a wise decision by the Rangers is that they’ve yet to see Robertson play in a preseason game this Fall, or much at all in training camp. He sustained a lower-body injury early on and has watched numerous other defensemen seek to fill the void left by Lindgren’s absence.

“I think any time you’re young and trying to make an impression and you’re not able to make that impression, it becomes a little bit more difficult (to make the team),” Laviolette explained Thursday. “That being said, we think he’s a good player. … He’ll play tomorrow. So, we’re trying to get that evaluation.”

Though a long-shot to win a roster spot at this point, Robertson deserves — and will get — a proper opportunity to show what he’s got. He’s a fourth-year pro who’s a left-handed shot, preferable since Lindgren is a lefty, too. Robertson has never played an NHL game, but was, at one point, a highly-touted prospect.

Robertson’s main competitors for a roster spot will each be sitting out the Islanders game. Veteran Chad Ruhwedel, is expected to be the seventh defenseman on opening night next Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rookie standout Victor Mancini — a right shot, who could play on the left side — and hard-nosed Connor Mackey will also be scratched Friday.

Matthew Robertson faces uphill battle to win Rangers roster spot

So two of Robertson, Mackey and Mancini likely will be heading to Hartford of the American Hockey League when the final Rangers roster is announced in the coming days. Robertson has played three seasons with the Wolf Pack. He had 21 points (four goals, 17 assists) in 68 games last season, after notching a career-high 23 points (five goals, 18 assists) in 57 games in 2022-23.

A two-way defenseman with an offensive upside, Robertson had his fair share of struggles since turning pro. But the Rangers gave him a qualifying offer this past offseason and Robertson re-signed, determined to deliver his best season yet.

The training camp injury didn’t help. But Robertson did catch the coach’s eye during two rookie games against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“I watched him down at the rookie games and I thought he was really good,” Laviolette said.

Mancini is the popular choice to earn an opening-night spot on the roster, even if he must switch sides. The 22-year-old is tied for third on the Rangers with two preseason goals and tied for sixth with three points in four games.

Mackey has a goal, an assist and two fights in four preseason games. He also has 40 games of NHL experience with the Calgary Flames, Arizona Coyotes and Rangers.

With Lindgren out, his defense partner Adam Fox will pair with K’Andre Miller on Friday. It’s a rare chance for the Rangers to see their two most skilled defenders together. Zac Jones will skate alongside captain Jacob Trouba on the other pairing.