The New York Rangers will battle the Islanders tonight in a marquee match up, and it’s a perfect opportunity for players and fans alike to change our collective mind set.
New York Rangers (17-6-2, 36 pts)
New York Islanders (13-8-4, 30 pts)
NHL, Tonight, 8:00 PM on NBCS, TVA
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
By Chris Wengert
Every New York Rangers fan should be excited to watch their beloved team skate tonight, because their real season starts at 8:00 PM.
As a fan base it’s time to change our mentality. It’s only in our own best interests because our antacid expenses have peaked this past week.
Tonight, the real season starts for the New York Rangers.
It’s time to forget that the Rangers have been imitating the New York Giants lately, by losing games (or trying their best to) in the closing minutes.
Forget the blown coverage’s, open opponents, bad passes, giveaways, and lack of effort.
Forget that the Rangers had their best start to a season in over 40 years. Forget that Rick Nash has been a beast lately.
Forget that Mats Zuccarello is playing like the 1994 Adam Graves.
It’s time to wipe our minds clean of the great start Henrik Lundqvist has had, because tonight the Rangers are 0-0-0.
Rangerstown will now see if this team can really battle adversity. With the major injuries to Derek Stepan (broken ribs) and Kevin Klein (sprained muscle), new players will need to step up (paging Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes).
Wednesday night plans?
@NYRangers vs. @NYIslanders: https://t.co/LmzHAcpURZ #RivalryNight pic.twitter.com/SigpEdIxJE
— NHL (@NHL) December 2, 2015
It’s not just the injuries, but also the opponents, as the Rangers will battle tougher teams in Ottawa, Vancouver, Minnesota, and Winnipeg (don’t look past these last two teams). Oh, and don’t forget that the Washington Capitals will have three games in hand after tonight.
Starting now, we will see what this Rangers team is made up of.
Blueshirts’ fans should be excited to take over the Barclays Center (which they will) tonight. They will witness for the first time, the real 2015-2016 New York Rangers.
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