New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders: Open Game Thread

The Rangers return home and will attempt to snap a losing streak.

The New York Rangers (17-18-7, 41 points) return home to Madison Square Garden for the first game of a home-and-home matchup vs. the New York Islanders (23-14-4, 50 points) attempting to snap a four-game losing streak.

The Blueshirts — 3-5-2 in their last 10 games — lost on Tuesday, 4-2, vs. the Vegas Golden Knights in Sin City. A win tonight would be the team’s first in calendar year 2019.

The Islanders — 8-2-0 in their last 10 games — also lost Tuesday, 4-3, vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. Prior to that defeat, the Isles had won six games in a row.

A win tonight vs. the Rangers would put them back in a playoff picture whether it be third in the Metropolitan Division, assuming a loss by the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Nashville, or somewhere in the Wild Card picture.

Here is a look at the projected lines for both sides.


New York Rangers

Chris Kreider — Mika Zibanejad — Mats Zuccarello

Filip Chytil — Ryan Strome — Jesper Fast

Jimmy Vesey — Brett Howden — Vladislav Namestnikov

Cody McLeod — Boo Nieves — Pavel Buchnevich

Marc Staal — Neal Pionk

Brady Skjei — Adam McQuaid

Fredrik Claesson — Kevin Shattenkirk

Henrik Lundqvist

New York Islanders

Anthony Beauvillier — Mathew Barzal — Josh Bailey

Anders Lee — Brock Nelson — Jordan Eberle

Michael Dal Colle — Valtteri Filppula — Leo Komarov

Matt Martin — Casey Cizikas — Cal Clutterbuck

Nick Leddy — Johnny Boychuk

Adam Pelech — Ryan Pulock

Devon Toews — Scott Mayfield

Robin Lehner


Kevin Hayes remains out of the lineup, and Fredrik Claesson comes back in for Tony DeAngelo. Here is what coach David Quinn had to say about the changes.

This is the third time the teams have met this season, with the Rangers having won 5-0 on November 21 at home, and the Islanders claiming victory in a 7-5 contest at the Barclays Center on November 15 when a quick moving snowstorm caused havoc for most of the Tri-state area. Both teams will square off again this Saturday January 12 in a 1:00 p.m. matinee at the Barclays Center.

Enjoy the game!