Rangers Still Have Claim To New York City, Islanders

Last Tuesday, a battle for New York ensued. The Rangers took on their rival Islanders in the first of five meetings at Madison Square Garden. The team in orange and blue toppled the Blueshirts that night. It was a combination of relentless pressure and talent on the Islanders part. No doubts. Also, it was combination of mindless errors and disorganization for the Rangers. The team is still trying to find their footing with the changeover at some positions. With those players opting to go elsewhere, the team was forced to bring up prospects to aid in filling the holes vacated. It’s a work in progress and Rangers fans are having to endure frustration and anguish till the team figures it out.

And yes, the Rangers may lose to teams such as the Islanders, during this time. Sometimes, you have to give a little in order to move forward. Unfortunately, it’s the losing that is the most frustrating. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially as a fan of the Rangers. You always want to see the team do well and put up a good fight. Just some nights, it’s not there. The Rangers may have lost the battle, but not the war.

More from Blue Line Station

• Blake Wheeler’s Broadway Calling: Why He Chose the Rangers
• Rangers’ Playoff Redemption Recipe: Grit and Fresh Hopes
• Rangers’ Roster Chatter: Who’s Making the Cut and Who’s in the Penalty Box?
• Jacque Plante Trade Tree Between the Rangers and Canadiens
• These Rangers must learn Peter Laviolette’s ropes before they can fly

However, the fallout from last week’s Rangers-Islanders battle raised some eyebrows. An article published on the internet posed the question, “New York Islander Town?” in reference to New York City becoming orange and blue, not the red, white, and blue of the Rangers.

All of this from one game, ONE. Not two. Not three. Not even a whole season series matchup. Just ONE. Unfortunately, you cannot base a statement from one game. There is no doubts the Islanders are playing well this early in the season. Through their first four games, the team was undefeated and leading the Metropolitan Division by two points heading into Sunday. They’ve made an early statement in the 2014-2015 NHL season. However, the fact that fans are already questioning who owns New York City is a little too early to call. Especially after one game. ONE GAME.

New York City, an Islanders town? Whoooh, pump the brakes hard charger. I wouldn’t say that yet. Let’s look at some reasons why this Islander optimism should be curbed right now.

In the Battle of New York, the first meeting between these two teams was in 1972, with the Rangers winning 2-1. Since then, the Blueshirts lead the regular season series with a record of 122-109-19. In their playoff history, the Islanders have won five of eight matchups with a record of 20-19. Pretty close.

Perhaps, what separates the two teams is the frequency Stanley Cup championships have been won. The Islanders have held Lord Stanley’s Cup four times, winning them in back-to-back-to-back-to-back fashion from 1979 to 1983. That’s unheard of in the modern NHL. Now that financial issues are playing a bigger role in team’s management of players, their accomplishment is that much more impressive. Since their last championship, the Islanders have seen the postseason 12 times. Unfortunately, most of their appearances have been first round exits, unable to get over the hump.

For the Rangers, the team has four of their own. The team’s most recent being in 1994. Oddly, during that year, the Rangers championship run came at the expense of the Islanders, sweeping them in the first round series. Though not at a regular fashion as the Islanders Stanley Cup pace, the team can boast they have as many championships in their history, as their cross-town rivals. Since 1994, the Rangers have qualified for the postseason 11 times. During that time, the team has sustained more consistent playoff appearances than the Islanders, returning to the Stanley Cup Final last season.

Aside from the Islanders repeat championships from 1979 to 1983, there’s not a lot to stake their claim as the city’s team.

For the Rangers, their goalie situation has remain unchanged with the introduction of Henrik Lundqvist. Since his rookie year in 2005, the team has enjoyed success and the reassurance he is between the pipes. He has been a stabilizing figure for the team to build around. You could say he has come to own New York. During his career, the Rangers have made the playoffs every year except the 2009-2010 season. He has 43 playoff wins with 10 shutouts. We won’t bore you with his numbers because there is no need to brag. Along with his franchise accomplishments and international accolades, it’s hard to argue against the King.

For the Islanders, it’s a different story. Since 2005, the team has gone through 13 different starting goalies. This year, it is Jaroslav Halak’s turn in net. So far, he’s a force to be reckoned with. Through three games, he is undefeated with a goals against average under 3.00. However, he has only tasted the postseason four times in his career, neither with a winning record. The furthest he has backstopped a team was in the 2009-2010 Eastern Conference Final. As a member of the Montreal Canadiens, he lost the Philadelphia Flyers in five games. Halak gave up at least three goals in four of those games. It will be a test this season to see if Halak is able to become the dominant goalie the Islanders need him to be.

As of now, Lundqvist and the Rangers have their hands wrapped about New York. Until proven otherwise, the Islanders argument still needs some refining.

So the Islanders fans made their presence known in Madison Square Garden last Tuesday. Their chants of “Let’s Go Islanders” could be heard throughout the arena, including tv broadcasts. The Rangers fans were humbled after giving up six goals. Not a good showing. But, Rangers fans could argue the same thing at a game in the Nassau Coliseum. For fans of both teams going into an opponent’s arena, it is to be commended for showing that their loyalty. As far as Rangers “bandwagoners,” or so-called, every team has their own. It’s the nature of sports. Success does that in people. We all want to be, or associated with, winners. It’s ok if there are. The Islanders will get their fair share. Just wait and see.

So, as of now, the Islanders sit on top of the Metropolitan Division. Despite giving up three goals in each of their games, they have managed to outplay their opponents. They have forced turnovers and capitalized, which has been reflected on the scoreboard. With their recent acquisitions, they have made their blue line much more potent. If their franchise player is able to stay healthy, the possibilities are endless this season.

Live Feed

Eyes On Isles

The Rangers are still finding their way this season. Lots of change has come through the lineup, as compared to last year. New personnel have joined this year. Head coach Alain Vigneault is still mixing and matching. Despite the win on Thursday, team movements have been taking place. Couple that with injuries, then you have a little chaos in Rangerstown. Despite this, the team still has to perform on the ice. You work with what you got.

Guess you could say the Islanders caught the Rangers on a “line change.” They took advantage of opportunities and forced the Rangers hand. There’s no doubting that. They just played better that night. Nothing the Rangers or us fans could do but take on the chin and regroup.

So is New York becoming an Islander town? Ehhh, we will argue no. The organization still has a long ways to go and years of disappointment to make up for, before they could claim the city as their’s. Maybe at the All-Star break, we could revisit this argument. By then, the landscape may have changed. For the Islanders and their fanbase, it’s good to see they’re having early success. We just hope that it doesn’t goto they’re heads. There are still 75 more games to be played, including four more meetings between the two teams.

In the words of Chubbs Peterson in Happy Gilmore: “We’ve Only Just Begun”.