Kevin Hayes, Keith Yandle look forward to sharing Thanksgiving meal with their families

Kevin Hayes of the New York Rangers celebrates his third... — Kevin Hayes of the New York Rangers celebrates his third period goal against the Nashville Predators with teammate Keith Yandle at Madison Square Garden on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015. Credit: Jim McIsaac

By STEVE ZIPAYsteve.zipay@newsday.comNovember 25, 2015

Give thanks to the schedule-makers. The Rangers visit the Bruins on Friday, and for several Rangers, being in Boston a day early means a Thanksgiving meal at home and a family reunion.

For forward Kevin Hayes, who was born in Dorchester and whose older brother, Jimmy, 26, was traded from Florida to the Bruins, this Thanksgiving will have a special element.

"I went to BC [Boston College], so last year was the first time I didn't have Thanksgiving at home in a long time," Hayes said Wednesday. "And it'll be the first time in eight years with Jimmy."

About 50 friends and relatives will gather at a South Boston restaurant. "My brother's godfather owns it and is closing it for the day," said Hayes, who expects some former college pals of the brothers to join the celebration.

Keith Yandle, who was born in Milton, said he would be home for dinner with family and friends in Charlestown, on the north side of the city.

Yandle's dad coached high school hockey in Massachusetts and his sister and brother played in high school and college.

"It's the first time I'll be around since the lockout [in 2012]," said Yandle, who was traded from Phoenix to the Rangers late last season. "I'm usually away, so it'll be great to see everybody, at least for a little while."

Yandle has strong ties to the city. After the Boston Marathon bombings, Yandle, then with the Coyotes, wrote "Pray for Boston" on the white base of one skate. In Chicago on the Saturday after the attack, Yandle warmed up in a jersey with the name of 8-year-old Martin Richard, who died in the bombing.

Chris Kreider, who was born in Boxford, Massachusetts., and is another BC alum, said he hadn't yet made definitive plans. After practicing in New York on Thursday, the Rangers will fly to Boston and many are expected to gather for a team meal.

The other Americans on the team are captain Ryan McDonagh and Derek Stepan, both from Minnesota; J.T. Miller, from East Palestine, Ohio, and Emerson Etem, from Long Beach, California.