Recap: Bruins edged out by Rangers, 3-2, in preseason match

Just the first exhibition game with young blood.

The Boston Bruins dropped Sunday’s preseason game to the New York Rangers, 3-2, at the TD Garden.

It’s just the first of seven exhibition games and this was a chance for Jim Montgomery and Co. to get a look at some of the younger guys.

Here are the highlights:

First period:

The Bruins got on the board at 1:34 of the first period.

Cole Koepke tipped in a shot out front from Billy Sweezey’s shot from the point. 1-0 Bruins.

The Rangers tied things up at 10:23 of the first period.

Victor Mancini pinched down from the slot and let a wrist shot fly past Brandon Bussi. 1-1 game.

The Rangers took the lead at 18:47 of the first period on the power play.

Filip Chytil fired a wrist shot off inside the right-wing circle over Bussi’s glove shoulder. 2-1 Rangers.

Second period:

The Bruins tied the game at 12:33 of the second period.

Patrick Brown found Trevor Kuntar out front who backhanded his shot past Dylan Garand. 2-2 game.

Third period:

The Rangers regained the lead at 4:46 of the third period.

Chytil bounced a pass off the boards to Alex Belzile who collected the puck inside the right-wing circle and sent a low shot past DiPietro. Final score: 3-2 Rangers.

Game notes

• The Bruins paid tribute to Johnny and Matt Gaudreau with a 13-second moment of silence before the game started. It was a moving moment with a video montage of the two brothers who are tied to Boston hockey having played at Boston College.

• This was the first preseason game so it’s hard to really scrutinize anything, but it was a good chance to get an early look on some of the younger guys who might round out the roster.
• Jim Montgomery said that’s the same thought process likely for Tuesday’s game with these being the first two of seven exhibition games and get a look at some other guys they really haven’t seen yet. “We want to see what guys are emerging,” he said postgame.
• Out of the three periods, the second was the Bruins’ strongest. They put up the most shots on net during it, led by a strong forecheck and defense engaged at the blue line to not only keep the puck in the zone, but make some plays.
• Parker Wotherspoon was getting pestered by Brenne Othmann tonight before the two dropped the gloves at the end of the second period. Montgomery liked that Wotherspoon stuck up for himself, but wasn’t happy about the unsportsmanlike conduct for throwing Othmann’s helmet.
• I though Koepke had a strong first period. He was noticeable and offensive-minded out front. Koepke had some time on both the PK and power play and was aggressive on both. He had the most shots on net tonight for the Bruins with four.
• All but two Bruins in the lineup tonight had at least a shot on net. The two that didn’t? Georgii Merkulov and Fabian Lysell.
• Mason Lohrei logged the most minutes with a 20:17 TOI. Montgomery thought his confidence showed.
• The Bruins are back in preseason action on Tuesday against the Washington Capitals at 7 p.m. at the TD Garden.