The New York Islanders Host Rival, The New York Rangers Tonight
By Glenn Brewer
The New York Islanders host the cross-town rival, the New York Rangers, this evening at UBS Arena. The game will be the first of only three games played between the two this season.
The three games will be spread out over the next two months. Tonight’s battle will be the only game of the three played at UBS Arena.
Both teams are currently headed in opposite directions after last season’s results but are only four points apart, with the Rangers having played one more game.
The two Metropolitan Division rivals enter tonight’s contest on three-game losing streaks. The Rangers scored three more goals than the Islanders but surrendered five more to the opposition.
Inside the Numbers for the New York Islanders
The Islanders have struggled to score, but captain Anders Lee leads the team with 7 points and 4 goals. Two of the goals have come on the Power Play.
The top two centers, Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal have had difficulty finding the back of the net thus far. Both players and in fact, all centers for the Islanders have yet to light the lamp this season.
Nelson and Barzal both have 6 assists each, which is good for second on the team in points.
Noah Dobson leads all defensemen with 5 points and 2 goals. Dobson has no points on the Power Play. Coming off a breakout season, Dobson will be expected to produce more on the Power Play.
Kyle Palmieri is off to a cold start, like last season. Palmieri is playing alongside Barzal but has no goals and 1 assist. Barzal and Palmieri are both a minus 4.
In the net, Ilya Sorokin has become the clear number-one keeper. Sorokin has a 2.84 GAA and a.908 Save Percentage. Semyon Varlamov has a 2.53 GAA and a .917 Save Percentage. These two have been a big reason for Penalty Kill’s success so far.
Sorokin is expected to get the start tonight.
Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers in all categories with 4 goals, 8 assists, and 12 points. Six of his points have been on the Power Play.
Mike Zibanejad has 4 goals, 4 assists, and 8 points. Five of the points are from the Power Play.
One notable person missing from the Power Play scoring is Chris Kreider. After a monstrous year, Krieder has dropped off a bit to start the season.
Additionally former first-overall pick, Alexis Lafreniere has no goals on the Power Play and just three points on the season.
On defense, Adam Fox continues to lead the way with 2 goals, and 5 assists for 7 points. Six of his points are on the Power Play.
In goal, former Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin has played well. Shesterkin has a 2.57 GAA and a .916 Save Percentage. Former Islanders goalie, Jaro Halak, has gotten off to a rough start with his new club. Halak has a 4.03 GAA and a .852 Save Percentage.
Halak is expected to play against his former team as the Rangers are playing the back end of a back-to-back.
Outlook on the Game
This will be a welcoming atmosphere for both teams as they look to right the ship from the recent losing steaks.
In the case of the Islanders, it will be even more welcome as the crowd should induce some life and energy into this team. The last two games in Florida were lacking effort and urgency.
Lane Lambert has juggled the lineup already and should be adjusting the lineup again for the rivalry game.
If Halak does get the nod in net for the Rangers, it should be a boost for the Islander’s offense. The last thing the struggling offense needs is to face the reigning Vezina Trophy winner.
The game will be decided by the special teams. The powerful Ranger’s Power Play will match up against the strength of the Islanders team thus far, the Penalty Kill.
If the Islanders can stay out of the box and score the first goal, they may have a chance to surprise the Rangers this evening.