One year ago, the New York Rangers got off to the worst start imaginable, and it ultimately foretold a last place finish in the Eastern Conference. If there was one thing the Rangers could not afford in this new season, months after the numerous additions and subtractions on the roster side, it was another poor start to the season. Thus far, the 2026-27 Rangers did the exact opposite of the team last year, and that was provide entertainment, promise, and wins.
After Sunday night, the Rangers are now 3-1-0 on the year, carrying a three-game win streak after their 3-0 shutout loss to the Boston Bruins in the season-opener. In their home opener, the Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning with ease 5-1, with one of the goals coming from netminder Igor Shesterkin. They defeated the, well, hopeless Detroit Red Wings 2-0 on Friday. Then, the Rangers defeated the Utah Mammoth and the returning Vincent Trocheck 4-2.
The vibes are overwhelmingly positive for the Rangers. One way to ensure they continue is to beat a team that has been a thorn in their side for the past year, and that is the rival Islanders.
Rangers have the chance to finally silence Islanders
Let's just say that last season became quite insufferable not only because the team looked lost from the get-go, but also due to a division rival getting the better of them in all four meetings. That team was the rival Islanders, who surprised the world by winning the No. 1 overall pick to draft defenseman Matthew Schaefer.
After one year, it is evident that Schaefer is going to be a superstar in the NHL. What irks the Rangers fanbase is that Schaefer immediately bought into the rivalry since he was drafted. Schaefer notably declared that he wants to beat the Rangers every time he plays them. As a rookie, he lived up to the promise, as the Islanders defeated the Rangers in all four matchups last season. Schaefer scored one goal and posted an assist through those four games. The Islanders, overall, outscored the Rangers 14-3.
If there was one thing the Rangers could take solace in was the Islanders' collapse late in the sesaon that resulted in them falling completely out of a playoff spot. But before the season ended, they hired Pete DeBoer to be their head coach for the final four games of that campaign, and beyond.
The Rangers are certainly going to hope for similar head-to-head results from the 2024-25 season, as they went 4-0 against the Islanders.
Rangers have momentum early this season heading into first Islanders matchup
Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury took a gamble on his approach to reshape the roster heading into this season. Artemi Panarin, Vincent Trocheck, and Will Borgen are gone, while the likes of Pavel Dorofeyev, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, Oliver Bjorkstrand, and Eeli Tolvanen enter the fray. So far, the moves have paid off. Dorofeyev looks like the scoring threat they traded multiple first round picks for to sign him to a seven-year, $77 million contract. Durzi and Pettersson have thrived as the second pairing defensive duo.
Meanwhile other players that were already on the team are playing well. Shesterkin has been incredible to start the year, even carrying a points streak heading into the Islanders matchup. Miller has shown off his chemistry with Dorofeyev on the second line, which has been the Rangers' most effective forward group. The first line of Mika Zibanejad, Alexis Lafreniere, and Gabe Perreault has been productive. It's hard to complain about three wins in the first four games of the season.
As for the Islanders, they only played two games so far. Their first game was a 2-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Then, this past Saturday, the Islanders blew out the New Jersey Devils 6-0. We'll see if the Islanders can carry the momentum from that win.
If there's one thing Rangers fans would like to see this early in the season, it's to end their losing streak against the Islanders.
Add us as a preferred source on Google