Artemi Panarin and J.T. Miller are ready for the Rangers’ first game.

KINGSTON, Rhode Island — Update on Rangers’ Top Players

Head coach Mike Sullivan confirmed on Monday that JT Miller and Artemi Panarin are set to play in the season opener against the Penguins, which will take place at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. This news came after a practice session at Rhode Island University.

Both players participated fully during the Rangers’ practice at Boss Ice Arena. Panarin skated alongside Vincent Trocheck and Alexis Lafreniere on the left wing, while Miller centered Will Quill and Micah Zibanejad, forming a first-rate lineup.

Panarin, who is 33 years old, missed the preseason games due to lower body injuries and sustained an upper body injury late in training camp. He participated in morning skate ahead of the second-to-last preseason match, but chose not to wear a regular jersey for precautionary measures.

Miller played just over 21 minutes in one exhibition game before suffering a lower body injury during a practice on September 30, which occurred without any contact.

Interestingly, he wore a red non-contact jersey during Friday’s practice but switched to a regular jersey by Monday.

Meanwhile, with the anticipated top players returning, Connor Cearly took the left wing position on the third line, replacing Noah Laba and Taylor Radish. The fourth line consisted of Adam Edstrom, Sam Carrick, and Matt Lempe, with Juso Palsinen and Brett Berard both serving as alternates.

The defensive lineup remained mostly unchanged, featuring Vladislav Gabrikov and Adam Fox as the top pair. Carson Sussy was paired with Will Bogen, while Urjo Varkaninen teamed up with Braden Schneider. Matthew Robertson joined the mix as the seventh defenseman.

The first power play unit included Panarin, Miller, Zibanejad, and Trocheck, while Schneider, Lafreniere, Ciali, Lempe, and Quill made up the second unit.

Sullivan expressed his intention to keep Lafreniere in a prominent role. “Our plan during camp was to integrate him into the first unit,” he explained. “Repetition is key, so we’ve moved him around at times, but he’ll likely return to the top group in the future.”

Sullivan was asked how he would feel facing the Penguins, the team he coached for ten years, in the opening game of the 2025-26 season. “I’m not sure I can answer that right now; it’s probably something to reflect on after the game,” he began. “I’ve mainly focused on the Rangers and preparing for the game. I don’t know what that experience will feel like. Yes, I built relationships there and appreciate the time I spent, which brings mixed feelings.”