Hartnett: There's Little Separating Rangers, Isles Ahead Of Tuesday's Showdown

By Sean Hartnett
» More Columns

It's the game that has New York buzzing. The streaking Rangers and Metropolitan-leading Islanders will lock horns on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. This highly anticipated meeting has all the makings of a classic.

A rivalry game of this quality is the remedy for a sleepy local sports scene. The Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets, Knicks and Nets have given New Yorkers little to cheer about in 2014. A simmering Rangers-Isles rivalry could be fully reignited in 2015.

Not since the mid-80s have the Rangers and Islanders each fielded rosters blessed with depth and star quality. Both teams have caught fire of late. The Rangers are on a five-game winning streak and have won 13 of 14. Having swept their swing through California, the 24-11-4 Rangers are firing on all cylinders and receiving all-world goaltending from Henrik Lundqvist.

The 28-13-1 Isles have won five of seven, most recently hammering the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2 at Nationwide Arena. While the Rangers have been hotter of late, the Isles have been the more consistent team through the first half of the 2014-15 season.

These rivals appear to have the staying power needed to finish in the top three in the Metropolitan Division. Should the Rangers and Isles finish behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Yorkers would be treated to a first-round playoff matchup full of drama and venom.

For now, Tuesday's meeting will serve as an appetizer to hold fans over until their next encounter at Nassau Coliseum on Jan. 27.

NASH AND TAVARES BRING THE STAR QUALITY IN THIS HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN

Islanders captain John Tavares and Rangers winger Rick Nash were selected as the lone All-Stars from two teams that could have conceivably offered three All-Stars apiece.

Tavares fared well in Friday's rivalry game against the New Jersey Devils. No. 91 recorded two goals and one assist, forcing overtime with his first goal and later winning the game in overtime with a magnificent solo effort. Tavares has scored 19 goals and recorded 20 assists through 42 games.

Nash heads into Tuesday's game tied with Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin for the NHL's goal-scoring lead at 26. His play at the halfway point of the season has many believing Nash could be a prime contender for the Hart, Rocket Richard and Selke Trophies. Nash is the only player in the top 10 in goals, plus/minus and takeaways. The powerhouse 6-foot-4 winger has collected 41 points through 39 games.

ISLES HAVE BEEN DOMINANT AT MSG

The Islanders have won three of the past four meetings at Madison Square Garden. Most recently, the Isles defeated the Rangers 6-3 at MSG on Oct. 14.

Rangers fans can point to the fact that error-prone defenseman Mike Kostka gave away that game by making two panicky turnovers that led to Isles goals. Thankfully for Rangers fans, Kostka will be nowhere near MSG. Additionally, Derek Stepan and Dan Boyle missed the game due to injury.

Stepan has been a point-per-game player since returning from a fractured fibula on Nov. 8. The 24-year-old center has collected six goals and 21 assists through 27 games. Boyle's return to health has transformed the Rangers' power play from mediocre to deadly. The Rangers lead the NHL with a 35.3 power-play percentage since Dec. 16., and are 9-0-1 this season when outscoring opponents on special teams.

CAN THE ISLES COOL OFF LUNDQVIST?

After earning his 20th victory of the season against San Jose on Jan. 10, Lundqvist became the first goaltender in NHL history to record at least 20 wins in each of his first 10 seasons in the league.

King Henrik has caught fire, going 11-1-0 with a 1.57 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage over the past 12 games

Lundqvist is 29-13-5 with a 2.15 goals-against average, a .922 save percentage and five shutouts in 48 career games against the Isles. He is 8-2-0 with a 1.88 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in his last 10 games against the Isles.

Follow Sean on Twitter @HartnettHockey.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories