With both teams coming off of extended breaks, the Islanders and Rangers renew their rivalry with fresh legs.
The New York Islanders will meet up with their rivals at just the perfect time. Both teams are ailing from injury, with the Islanders down Andrew Ladd, Josh Bailey and Johnny Boychuk (not to mention Calvin de Haan being out for the year).
The New York Rangers are coming off of a closely-fought 2-1 loss to the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights, and are definitely no stranger to injury. Kevin Hayes suffered an injury against Vegas, and Chris Kreider will likely miss the rest of the regular season after undergoing successful blood-clot surgery.
For the Islanders
Doug Weight: “Ladd, Bailey and Boychuk won’t be playing tomorrow. We have to figure everything out and hopefully they’re back sooner than later. That’s all I can tell you now.”
Note: Shane Prince was not at practice today due to travel delays.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 12, 2018
An emotional win over the Devils stopped the bleeding at five games, but damage has been done and the Isles now find themselves two points out of a playoff spot, and are behind both the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers, both by two points and one point respectively.
There were some good vibes following the Islanders after snapping a five-game losing streak, as John Tavares and Josh Bailey were both named to the All-Star game.
Dating back to the 2014-15 season, the Islanders are 11-3 against the Rangers and currently own a four-game winning streak against them too.
Michael Dal Colle — selected fifth-overall in the 2014 draft — is set to make his NHL debut in the place of an injured Ladd. Rookies Anthony Beauvillier and Sebastian Aho will dress as well. The trio were recalled from Bridgeport after brief assignments.
“I just found out that I’m going to be playing for sure tomorrow. I just want to play my game and hopefully have a good debut. Ever since I was five years old, I can’t lie, I’ve dreamed of this moment a lot. It’s very exciting.” –@MDalColle71 #NHLFirsts #Isles pic.twitter.com/4kjEixsNZg
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 12, 2018
For the Rangers
Aside from being down Kreider and Hayes, the Rangers lineup has seen some shuffling, especially after both Brendan Smith and Pavel Buchnevich were scratched against the Golden Knights.
AV on his and his team's mindset following the break, the status of Kevin Hayes, Henrik Lundqvist being named an All Star and more following today's #NYR practice. pic.twitter.com/XBRJMDog0D
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) January 13, 2018
Smith is going to be scratched for his second straight game, as Head Coach Alain Vigneault has been enjoying the play of Steven Kampfer of late.
There are no concerns for the Blueshirts in net, as Henrik Lundqvist continues to turn back the clock and deliver when needed. Lundqvist was voted to his fourth-career All-Star game.
The Rangers have leapfrogged the Islanders since they last met, now having possession of the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference — where they finished last season.
With the season shifting past the halfway point, the Rangers have picked up a lot of momentum the Islanders seemed to have lost. But, it’s practically a new season with the Isles trailing by just three points.
