Game #55: New York Rangers vs New York Islanders Open Thread

For the first time since 2022, the Rangers and Islanders are set to square off in a battle of New York. The stage is set for the back half of the 2024 Stadium Series as the teams will take the ice at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford for one of the NHL’s marquee games of the 2023-24 regular season.

The Blueshirts are riding high coming into play today. Peter Laviolette’s current team is undefeated since returning from the All-Star break, and it will look to remain undefeated with a victory over Laviolette’s former team in front of 70,000+ fans in New Jersey. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:00 PM EST, but concerns over possible sun glare seem likely to push the start time back to later in the afternoon. Whenever the puck drops, it will be a long overdue first meeting of the season for the Blueshirts and Islanders.

Player to Watch: Matthew Rempe

A sixth round selection by the Rangers in the 2020 Entry Draft, Rempe is set to make his NHL debut today. Projected to skate on the fourth line alongside Barclay Goodrow and fellow rookie Adam Edstrom, Rempe will look to make an impression on Chris Drury as New York’s general manager evaluates internal forward options before possibly seeking out additions via the trade market. Rempe had been up from AHL Hartford earlier in the month, but sat as a healthy scratch before being sent back without drawing into the lineup. Keep an eye on Rempe today as he makes his NHL debut in some of the most grandiose circumstances any player ever could.

Enjoy the game!