Recalling his first game as a Ranger in September 2014, Kevin Hayes had this advice for longtime friend Jimmy Vesey on Thursday night before the rookie’s first game as a Blueshirt: “Can’t be worse than mine,” Hayes said. “I was minus-2 against the Devils on my first two shifts. Marty St. Louis said, ‘Don’t worry. It can’t get any worse from here.’ ”
Vesey didn’t score Thursday night in the Rangers’ 3-1 preseason win over the Devils at the Garden, but he certainly had some opportunities. Less than 30 seconds into the game, Vesey flew in on a breakaway, but his backhand attempt was stopped by Scott Wedgewood.