GDT: #3| New York Islanders @ New York Rangers | October 14th 7:00 PM | F/W 6-3

[MattMartin]

Preview

All time series record: The Rangers lead 141-128-19 with a 3.4 GFPGA While the Islanders are averaging 3.2 GFPG. Islanders all time @ Rangers are 54-80-11 with a 2.9 GFPGA while the Rangers at home VS the Islanders are averaging 3.6 GPG​

The New York Rangers spoiled what was supposed to be a celebration with an embarrassing performance.

They'll look to get back on track by continuing their dominance over the rival New York Islanders on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Rangers (1-2-0) have been outscored 11-5 in two losses since taking a 3-2 win over St. Louis. The team raised a banner commemorating the Rangers' 2013-14 Eastern Conference title prior to Sunday's game against Toronto, but that was one of few things for fans to cheer about in a 6-3 loss.

The Rangers also started slow last season, dropping four of five and starting 3-7-0, before advancing to the Stanley Cup finals.

The Rangers played an even first period Sunday with each team scoring a goal and registering 11 shots. They then gave up five goals in the second while being outshot 19-12. The Rangers hadn't allowed five goals in a period since giving up six in the third period of a 10-2 loss at Dallas on Feb. 6, 2009.

Henrik Lundqvist sat out the final 25 minutes after giving up six goals on 24 shots in his second start.

Lundqvist is 8-1-0 with a 1.42 goals-against average and two shutouts in his last nine starts versus the Islanders. The Rangers have won 14 of 20 in the series -- including three of five in 2013-14.

The Islanders (2-0-0) swept a home-and-home from Carolina, with Saturday's 4-3 win marking their first victory in a home opener in six years.

Brock Nelson scored a power-play goal in the second period and assisted on John Tavares' goal in the first. Nelson has scored on three of his four shots and has three assists.

Tavares' goal marked his first in the NHL since Feb. 8, after he suffered a season-ending knee injury at the Sochi Olympics. His 66 points ranked third in the NHL before he was sidelined.

The Islanders have four power-play goals on eight opportunities, while the Rangers have yet to score with the man advantage despite eight chances. The Islanders' penalty kill has been vulnerable, however, surrendering four goals on nine power plays.

"Our penalty kill has to get better," coach Jack Capuano told the Islanders' official website. "To me, it's a mindset."

Mats Zuccarello, who led the Rangers with 59 points and was a plus-11 last season, has yet to register a point and is a minus-four. He was a late scratch Sunday after being involved in multiple collisions Saturday against Columbus. Coach Alain Vigneault said Zuccarello is day to day.

Tavares has gone without a point in six of the last seven meetings, though he had three assists in a 5-3 win at MSG on Jan. 21.

Jaroslav Halak is 4-1-0 with a 1.40 GAA in his last five starts against the Rangers.



Useful links
http://www2.dailyfaceoff.com/

http://www.tsn.ca/

http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/islanders/

http://www.nypost.com/sports/islanders/islanders.htm

https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday

http://islanders.nhl.com/






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[Wanderson]

3-0-0 after this game.

 

[rikker]

the Raggies gotta be stinging from their last game, and in a pissy mood. i hope our guys are ready. Cappy, it's part of your job to get these guys pumped.

4-3 for the good guys.

 

[Words Of Wisdom]

This is when the real test begins. Rangers are gonna play angry and I can definitely see the rivalry being sparked to another level tonight. Isles are on a mission to prove they're for real, the vibe is this is a good Islander team, this is gonna be a chippy, hard fought game. I'm excited as can possibly be. Let's go Isles!

 

[FourRings]

Big game. Make this out coming out party.

 

[islesforlife]

Rangers want a win here. They lost pretty bad to Toronto. Lundqvist got pulled. He'll be ready, and Rangers will be ready. Gotta go hard, gotta push, gotta have......... a high battle level

Let's go Isles, make it 2 nights in a row Lundqvist gets pulled!

 

[startainfection*]

Anyone else planning on going tonight?

 

[TheZec]

I only hope we don't get too many penalties here, else it will get ugly. I don't believe they fixed our PK in 3 days. So, assuming we get 4 penalties, I say we win 5-4!

 

[scott99]

Nash is on fire, put Boychuck out there every chance we get, and have Boychuck get in his face (cleanly, and without taking penalties).

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Got a feeling with the way everything is going this early that tonight's game will be an all out war.

Please for the love of god keep Nash off the board if I have to see that stupid hashtag #NASHTY one more time I'm gonna vomit.

 

[Al Arbour]

You have the Rangers leading the all-time series record 141-28-19 ???? That doesn't sound right.

 

[GTislanders]

I think the Islss are going to win pretty handidly tonight. The forward matchups arent even close to being equal and halak is more than capable
Of making some big saves. All i ask is that we destroy them physically. I want blood. I want staal and mcdonaughs head on a platter. Give it to these guys ten fold baby.

 

[fishstick]

Going 3-0 with a win against the Rangers would be great. Please do it

 

[19NYSports91]

I would much rather have Hamonic on Nash than Boychuk. I haven't been impressed with his defensive game. Hamonics been much better defensively the first two games, he just needs to watch the penalties.

 

[KnishOfTheCrease]

Swiggiity swooty, we're coming for that booty!

Isles 9
Rag$ 1

 

[Axe Man]

LGI! The first real test for the Islanders this season.

 

[Strummergas]

Another divisional game, another must win.

 

[islesjuncky]

Rangers suck and the isles win 4-1

 

[SI90]

Ohhh yeahh. Let's get it.

 

[Isles1]

Rags played like crap and were handily defeated 2 games in a row, Lundquist getting pulled last game after giving up 6 will have him trying to make a point, they are home and will come out flying tonight to get back on track. Isles better be prepared to weather that initial storm, and match the intensity that will surely be witnessed tonight. Keep them on their toes in trying to figure out their game which seems to be the St Louis and Nash show up until now, establishing a fore-check early to keep them off their game is crucial here.

Lets go Isles!!!!!!!!!

 

[doublechili]

My gut says:

It's KO time.

But I had pasta fazool last night, so my gut is saying a lot of things today.

 

[SI90]

Is Nash out?

 

[Isles1]

Is Nash out?

Don't think so, not seeing anything in regards to this, he left after the second last game as his wife was in labor, don't see why he would miss this game.

 

[Kevin27NYI]

JT and KO hopefully put on a clinic. Think Clutter scores tonight too.

 

[BillD]

JT and KO hopefully put on a clinic. Think Clutter scores tonight too.

^^ This but I also see Cool Lemon driving to the crease like a bull and ramming one in.
4-2 Islanders. Queen breaks his stick over the cross bar at the final buzzer.