Blue Line Station
Fansided

New York Rangers go for double delight against the Islanders

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 13: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers takes the shot against Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2020 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 6-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 13: Mika Zibanejad #93 of the New York Rangers takes the shot against Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders at Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2020 in New York City. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 6-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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New York Islanders Defenceman Ryan Pulock (6) knocks the puck away from New York Rangers Left Wing Artemi Panarin (10)
New York Islanders Defenceman Ryan Pulock (6) knocks the puck away from New York Rangers Left Wing Artemi Panarin (10) /

Things you need to know

Let’s go over some interesting little nuggets and stats ahead of tonight’s game:

  • To start, how bonkers was that bombshell news yesterday?! The fact that Gerard Gallant has been fired as the Head Coach of the Vegas Golden Knights is just crazy, and that is a surefire sign of how cutthroat this industry is.
  • Anyway, back to tonight and the New York Rangers are 22-19-4 on the year, while the New York Islanders are 27-13-14 on the year.
  • Alexandar Georgiev will start in net again tonight after frustrating the Islanders on Monday, but is this a case of riding the hot hand or trying to increase your asset’s trade value? Only time will tell with the Trade Deadline rapidly approaching.
  • Want to know something interesting? The Rangers have earned at least one win against six of the top 10 teams in the NHL standings this season, while earning at least one point against eight of the top 10 teams in the league, although they have yet to play Dallas this season.
  • The Blueshirts probably wish that they could play against teams in the Metro Division the rest of the way given that they are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games against divisional opponents.
  • These Rangers can score for fun when they are in the mood and they have recorded 44 goals over the last 11 games, dating back to Dec. 22, which is the third most in the NHL over that span. And the Blueshirts’ 11.3% shooting percentage ranks 1st in the NHL in 2019-20.
  • New York is one of six NHL teams that have 10 or more players who have tallied at least 20 points this year, including the likes of Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, Ryan Strome and Tony DeAngelo.
  • Tonight’s game will be the first time that the Rangers have played at Nassau Coliseum since Mar. 10, 2015, while they have won five of their last six games at the Coliseum (5-1-0).
  • The Rangers are 3-1-0 in four games against the Islanders, while they have outscored their rivals 16-7 in those four contests.
  • Artemi Panarin is having a year for the ages and he is the first player in Rangers history to have posted six three-point games in a nine-game span, which just highlights his dominance.
  • Finally, Adam Fox enjoyed a dream moment against the Islanders on Monday after getting on the board, and the Long Island native has tallied nine points (one goal, eight assists) in the last seven games. Could he be a contender for the Calder Trophy? Don’t rule it out if Fox continues on this pace. Plus, Fox will be returning home tonight and it should be a special night for the rookie.
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