Game Preview: NY Islanders vs. NY Rangers

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, the NY Islanders will welcome their cross-town rivals, the NY Rangers, to the UBS Arena. The Islanders are looking to bounce back following a rough loss to the Florida Panthers and snap a three-game losing streak.

Last Game

On Sunday, the Islanders fell to the Panthers, 3-2. While the effort was there for the blue and orange, the victory was not. Anders Lee netted the only two goals for the Islanders, both on the power play, and Semyon Varlamov allowed three goals, but picked up 29 saves.

Lee's first goal for the Islanders came with about 5 minutes into the second period, assisted by Mathew Barzal, and Noah Dobson, cutting the Panthers lead 2-1. With about 10 minutes left in the third period, Lee netted his second goal of the night as Barzal tallied his second power play assist and Brock Nelson recorded the secondary helper.

The Rangers come into tonight on their own three-game slide, collecting two points in the process in an OT and shootout loss. Last night, the Rangers fell to the Colorado Avalanche 3-2. Barclay Goodrow and Adam Fox were able to get the Rangers on the board. Igor Shesterkin only allowed two goals and picked up 42 saves in the process. Alexander Georgiev won the revenge game in the shootout during his first start against his former club.

The Battle of New York

The "Battle of New York" returns in what should be an intense battle between the two cross-town rivals both looking to get back in the win column.

Despite the Rangers recording a better finish to their season than the Islanders, the two teams faced each other four times in 2021-22 each going 2-2-0. The Islanders currently sit in last place in the Metropolitan Division with four points, while the Rangers sit in sixth place with eight points.

Barzal typically rises to the occassion in this rivalry matchup scoring eight goals and 21 assists, a total 29 points in 24 career games against the Rangers. Anthony Beauvillier also plays well in the Battle of New York recording a career 13 goals,10 assists, 23 points in 24 games.

All-time in the Battle of New York, the Islanders own a 133-127-19-7 record in 286 games.

Players To Watch

Anders Lee will look to continue his hot streak. Coming off of Sunday's game, Lee picked up two goals against the reigning President's Cup-winning Panthers. Over the course of the last four games, Lee has had four goals in total. Lee has scored 11 goals in 30 total career games against the Rangers.

For the Rangers, Artemi Panarin is the player to watch. So far in six games played, Panarin is tied for the league lead in points. He picked up four goals and eight assists in the last six games. Panarin typically enjoys playing against the Islanders accruing quite a bit of success in his career against them scoring 10 goals and 31 points in 27 total contests.

Projected Lines

Islanders

Josh Bailey- Mat Barzal- Oliver Wahlstrom Anders Lee- Brock Nelson- Anthony Beauvillier Zach Parise- JG Pageau- Kyle Palmieri Matt Martin- Casey Cizikas- Cal Clutterbuck

Adam Pelech- Ryan Pulock Alexander Romanov- Noah Dobson Sebastian Aho- Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

Per Denis P. Gorman, Newsday

Rangers

Chris Kreider- Mika Zibanaejad- Kappo Kakko Artemi Panarin- Vincent Trocheck- Alexis LaFreniere Jimmy Vesey- Barclay Goodrow- Vitali Kravtsov Sammy Blais- Ryan Carpenter- Ryan Reaves

Ryan Lindgren-Adam Fox K'Andre Miller- Jacob Trouba Libo Hajek- Braden Schneider

Jaroslav Halak
Igor Shesterkin

Per Daily Faceoff