Top 3 ways the New York Rangers can beat the New York Islanders

The Battle of New York is always a fun game for National Hockey League fans everywhere to watch. Add in the fact that the Rangers are in contention for a Wild Card spot in the playoffs and all eyes should be on Long Island Tuesday night.

With that being said, let's take a look at three ways the New York Rangers should be able to take down the Islanders — regardless of being the away team.

1. Based on the Numbers

Based on records and recent games, on paper this is a game the New York Rangers should easily win. The Rangers are 12-6-3 since January 1st. The Blueshirts defeated the Islanders 5-2 earlier this season. And, the Rangers have the 17th-ranked power play in the league. Compared to the Islanders, the Islanders have lost three straight games after a 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday in their first game back from the break. The Isles are 13-12-2 at home this season.

2. Extra Motivation

After two pretty mediocre games out of the break — and that overrides the fact they won by two goals in Pittsburgh — the Rangers need to show more jump, a higher compete level and more attention to defending and playing a smart game when they visit the Islanders on Tuesday.

And really, if playing their local rival in a playoff race doesn’t get the blood flowing and heart racing, then the Rangers have far bigger issues than suspected

3. Special Team Dominance

Special teams is the area where the Rangers should easily exploit the Islanders. Coming into play Tuesday, the Islanders are dead last ont he power play, ranked 32nd at a dismal 11.4 percent.

The Isles have scored just 15 power-play goals all season, including one in the past 10 games. Consider that the Rangers have nine short-handed goals — third most in the NHL — from their fourth-ranked PK unit. And, they aren't much better on the penalty kill. They are 31st in the League at 70 percent, perhaps giving the uneven Rangers power play a chance to find some rhythm and production.

Bonus - The Potential Return of Chris Kreider

Following playing for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off, the longest tenured veteran on the Rangers' roster did not see play in Pittsburgh because he was a late scratch Sunday with an upper-body injury, even after taking part in pregame warmups.

In the best-on-best International Tournament, He was the only Ranger to tally a goal. In Team USA's 4 Nations Face-Off loss to Sweden on Monday he scored the game's first goal in the first minute of the first period by burying a rebound and proving he's a big-time player. 

A return from Kreider would make Blueshirt fans happy and hopefully give the Rangers more motivation to defeat the fellow New York team.