Exhibition Preview: Rangers vs. Islanders
Looking back on the season series between the Rangers and Islanders
The New York Rangers took three of four meetings against the New York Islanders this season, and Wednesday night the two teams will meet in an exhibition game as the NHL readies for its unique playoff that begins Saturday. As we prepare for the Rangers return to the ice, here’s a quick breakdown of how the season series played out between these two cross-town rivals.
Game Information
- Location: Scotiabank Arena
- Start Time: 8pm ET
- Where to Watch: NBCSN, TVAS, MSG/
Season Series
- Game 1: Islanders 2, Rangers 6 - Game Recap | Highlights | Boxscore
- Game 2: Rangers 3, Islanders 2 - Game Recap | Highlights | Boxscore
- Game 3: Islanders 4, Rangers 2 - Game Recap | Highlights | Boxscore
- Game 4: Rangers 4, Islanders 3 (OT) - Game Recap | Highlights | Boxscore/
Top Performers
Artemi Panarin
It’s no surprise the Rangers prized free agent signing and Hart trophy finalist is right at the top of the list. Panarin’s first match against the Islanders as a Blueshirt was certainly a memorable one, as he tallied two goals and three assists under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden.
Aside from missing one game due to the injury, Panarin led all Rangers throughout the season series with eight points (three goals, five assists), was a plus-2 rating and averaged 19:25 of ice time.
Josh Bailey
At the other end of the ice, Josh Bailey led the Islanders with five points, including a goal and an assist on the power play. Despite averaging four fewer minutes per game than some of the other point producers, Bailey was one of two players (Brock Nelson) to reach five points in the series. His shining moment came on Jan. 21 with a three-point night as the Islanders won 4-2 to take their first game of the season series.
Projected Lineups
Rangers
Chris Kreider - Mika Zibanejad - Pavel Buchnevich
Artemi Panarin - Ryan Strome - Jesper Fast
Phil Di Giuseppe - Filip Chytil - Kaapo Kakko
Brett Howden - Greg McKegg - Julien Gauthier
Brendan Smith - Jacob Trouba
Ryan Lindgren - Adam Fox
Marc Staal - Tony DeAngelo
Islanders
Anders Lee - Mathew Barzal - Jordan Eberle
Anthony Beauvillier - Brock Nelson - Josh Bailey
Tom Kuhnhackl - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Derick Brassard
Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Devon Toews - Scott Mayfield
Nick Leddy - Johnny Boychuk
