New York Rangers Battle Islanders in Brooklyn

Tonight the New York Rangers will face off against the New York Islanders in Brooklyn for the second time this year and just like their first game, it should be an anxiety-ridden 60 minutes.

Earlier in the season the Islanders were able to squeak out a win via shootout. With these two teams so evenly matched and playoff positioning on the line, I do not see why any fan of hockey would not want to tune in tonight.

Even though the season has only just passed the halfway mark, the first place position in the Metropolitan division seems nailed down, but the battle for second and third is up for grabs. The Rangers (23-14-5)  and Islanders (23-15-5) are tied for second at 51 points a piece.

Apart from the overall rivalry, both teams enter this game with conflicting streaks. The New York Rangers have started to play much better in third periods;

"”The way we came back today, we played a really solid game and turned it up in the third, which is really a good sign that we have that determination and won’t give up,” Lundqvist explained to the media."

This coming in a post game interview after the Rangers came back to beat Boston Monday night. Alain Vigneault has also commented on how the Rangers have started to look more like the winning team we have grown accustom to watching over the last four, or so years.

"“Our play defensively has been a lot more solid and offensively I like the type of chances we’re generating,” Vigneault told the media during a press conference on Wednesday."

During the same press conference Vigneault went on to talk about some of the challenges the Rangers will face tonight in Brooklyn;

"“They (Islanders) are one of the best four line teams in the league and they are a big challenge for us and we are going to have to be ready for it.”"

The fact that the Islanders have a great four-line team can hurt the Rangers since excluding their first and fourth line there seems to be pieces of the puzzle still out of place. Take that and couple it with the fact that the Islanders, when scoring first have a record of 16-3-2 and when they produce at least three goals in a game are 19-2-0. Proof that the Rangers defensive will to grind for all three periods tonight is crucial for a chance at victory.

Tonight the Rangers cannot rely solely on the ability of Lundqvist, which they seem to do from time to time. The defense needs to show up strong, while offensively they need to come onto the ice as if they are being shot out of cannon in order to keep Halak on his toes.

Halak has played very well against the Rangers as of late. Only allowing two or fewer goals in the last 4 of 5 games he has seen the Rangers. However, the Islanders have not been the strongest home team lately, recording a 3-3 record over the course of their last six home games.

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The Rangers seem to have slowly crept out of their funk, but need to start consistently winning and with the trade dead line coming up they need to be able to work with what they have, which McDonagh touched on during an interview after yesterdays morning skate;

"“We are past the halfway point now so for us it shouldn’t be about trying to figure out what are strengths and weaknesses are and at this point we need to know what it takes to win and what gives us a good chance.”"

He goes on to explain that the Rangers have been in a lot of close games lately and have given themselves a chance to win most nights, which is important since at this point in the season every point counts.

Regardless of statistical analysis, this game will come down to physicality, grit and the ability to grind out a victory, as most divisional games do. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm in Brooklyn.

Next: New York Rangers May Need To Give Veterans Rest