"Nothing like a Broadway debut to elevate the excitement of a mid-week hockey game.

For the opening act at Madison Square Garden Thursday night, we have the Rangers playing their first home contest of the season at the renovated and self-proclaimed "most famous arena on earth."

Also under the lights will be the Big Apple opening for Brad Richards, the marquee acquisition of this summer's free agency sweeps but a player who has struggled at times early in his Rangers tenure.

And not to be outdone, the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs will trot out the long-awaited start of centre Tim Connolly, the consolation prize for not landing Richards."