Game #58: New York Rangers vs New York Islanders Open Thread

The latest installment of the battle of New York is set to take place tonight. For the first time in nearly four months, the Rangers and Islanders are set to clash in a game both teams can't afford to lose as the Eastern Conference playoff race continues to take shape.

After the Rangers earned a 5-2 victory over the Islanders in their 11th game of the season, the two teams have played a majority of their 2024-25 schedule in the months since the previous clash. The Rangers and Islanders will make up for lost time starting tonight, as this meeting at UBS Arena in Elmont will quickly be followed by another clash back at Madison Square Garden on Monday.

As for the playoff implications, both teams are on the outside looking in of the Wild Card race. The Blueshirts currently sit in 11th place in the East, two points back of the Ottawa Senators for the final playoff spot. The Islanders are close behind in 12th place, three points back of the Rangers and five back of the playoffs, but still hold one game in hand. The Rangers-Islanders rivalry always provides drama, but the added angle of the playoff chase makes things even more intriguing tonight.

Player to Watch: Brennan Othmann

Recalled from AHL Hartford as Chris Kreider deals with an upper-body injury, Othmann will draw into the Blueshirts' lineup for the first time this season. A 2021 first-round pick, Othmann made three appearances in early January for the Rangers last season, averaging a touch over nine minutes of ice time in his first three NHL games. How much ice time Othmann receives tonight remains to be seen, but keep an eye on Othmann as he showcases himself for what could be a more pronounced role with the team following the trade deadline.

Enjoy the game!