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Rangers vs Islanders: Let the rivalry continue

By Steve Paulus

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders checks Marc Staal #18 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on September 24, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 24: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders checks Marc Staal #18 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on September 24, 2019 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers prepares for a shot by Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders
Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers prepares for a shot by Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders /

About the Islanders

The Islanders have picked up where they left off last season.  They are in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 58 points, but they have also played only 43 games, the fewest of any team in the NHL.  They’ve occupied a playoff spot all season, with a recent slump dropping them out of second place and dangerously close to the wild card.

Once again, the Isles are doing it with defense.  They allow only 2.56 goals per game, fourth best in the NHL.  The score an average of 2.77 goals per game, about half a goal less than the 3.35 scored by the Rangers.

What’s interesting about the Islanders is that they have no standout statistics when it comes to special teams.  In fact, the most amazing statistic of the season for the Isles,is that they have had only 95 power plays this entire season. That is the fewest in the league by far. The next fewest is Anaheim with 121.   Colorado leads the league with 163 power plays, fully 68 more than the Islanders.

They don’t take many penalties either and have been shorthanded only 117 times, fourth fewest in the league.  Compare that to the Rangers who have been shorthanded a league leading 161 times.

The Isles were sitting pretty until mid-December when they lost four of five games. Since then they been playing .500 hockey, going 3-2-1,   They are coming off a 3-2 loss in overtime to the Boston Bruins on Saturday.

As anticipated, Matthew Barzal is leading the team in scoring with 17 goals and 37 points. There’s not a lot of firepower on the Isles with only three other players who have scored 10 or more goals. The Islanders define the term “team” under the leadership of Barry Trotz and are winning playing disciplined defensive hockey.

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