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New York Rangers to usher in post Deadline era against the Isles

By Andrew Steele-Davis

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers is stopped by the New York Islanders during the second period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Adam Fox #23 of the New York Rangers is stopped by the New York Islanders during the second period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 21, 2020 in New York City. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Matt Martin #17 of the New York Islanders skates against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 21, 2020 in New York City. The Islanders defeated the Rangers 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

There will be a different feel to proceedings tonight when the New York Rangers renew hostilities with the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.

Both the Islanders and the New York Rangers are adjusting to life after the NHL Trade Deadline after both teams made big moves.

The Blueshirts shocked many by re-signing Chris Kreider to a seven-year, $45,500,000 contract, before trading defenseman Brady Skjei to the Carolina Hurricanes for a 2020 First-Round pick.

It was a pair of moves that suggested that the build is nearing an end, and the Rangers appear confident that they can begin to compete with this roster as it is currently constituted.

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Tonight will be the first step into what will hopefully be a success-laden future, although it will be somewhat weird not to see Skjei in a Rangers jersey.

There will also be a tangible sense of excitement in the air for the Islanders, who went all in on Monday.

They sent a monster haul over to the Ottawa Senators for two-way forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has 24 goals and 16 assists for 40 points in 60 games this year.

Pageau can do a bit of everything and he gives the Isles the offensive punch they so desperately craved.

And General Manager Lou Lamoriello almost pulled off another blockbuster trade after trying to bring Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise to Long Island, although that move broke down at the last minute.

Nonetheless, the Islanders got better over night and they will hope the moves they made will push them over the top when it comes to making the playoffs.

The Rangers will also be hoping to keep their postseason hopes alive tonight, and the finale of the Battle of New York has all the ingredients to be a mouthwatering showdown.

This Season

Tonight’s game is the final game of the season series between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders.

The previous three meetings all took place within the span of a week in January (thanks for that, NHL), with the Blueshirts winning two of the three contests.

They hammered the Isles 6-2 at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 13, before gutting out a 3-2 win on the road on Jan. 16.

However, the Islanders exacted their revenge with a 4-2 win on Jan. 21, and the Rangers will be hoping to clinch the season series with what would be a huge win tonight.

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