**Bruins Drop Preseason Opener to Rangers at TD Garden**
The Boston Bruins began their preseason with a narrow 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers at TD Garden on Sunday. Cole Koepke, a former Lightning prospect signed this summer, scored the Bruins’ first goal just 1:34 into the game, converting a rebound after a shot from Billy Sweezey.
The game was tied at 2-2 going into the third period, but Alex Belzile’s goal at 4:46 broke the deadlock, securing the win for the Rangers. Belzile, a former Canadiens player, scored with a low-percentage wrist shot that Bruins goalie Mike DiPietro should have stopped.
Despite being outshot 24-13 in the first two periods, the Rangers took the lead with a goal from Victor Mancini and a power-play goal from Filip Chytil late in the first period. Brandon Bussi, likely to be the Bruins’ No. 2 goalie if Jeremy Swayman remains unsigned, played 30 minutes before being replaced by DiPietro.
Bruins defenseman Parker Wotherspoon left the ice early due to a hit from Brennan Othmann but returned for the second period. Othmann’s clean hit sparked a fight between the two players later in the game.
Newly acquired Mark Kastelic received the Bruins’ first penalty of the preseason for tripping. While he was in the box, Koepke and Jaxon Nelson had some shorthanded opportunities following a turnover.
The Bruins failed to capitalize on a power play in the first period, which included 48 seconds of five-on-three time. Mason Lohrei led the first power play unit, while the second unit featured Frederic Brunet and Jordan Oesterle.
Former Bruin Anton Blidh played on the Rangers’ fourth line, while Jimmy Vesey, eight years after winning the Hobey Baker Award, was part of their second line. Ex-BC defenseman Casey Fitzgerald, who signed a two-year deal with the Rangers, played on their top defensive pairing.
Behind the Bruins’ bench, coach Jim Montgomery was joined by his full staff, including newly promoted associate coach Joe Sacco, Chris Kelly, and Jay Leach, who returned after three seasons with the Kraken. Meanwhile, Jack Studnicka signed a two-way contract with the Kings as a free agent this summer.