Game #5: New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers Open Thread
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The first installment of the Battle of New York is here, and after falling to their rival in all four appearances last season, the New York Rangers will look to add to their three-game-winning streak. The New York Islanders are 1-1 and coming off a 6-0 victory over the New York Islanders. The Rangers have placed Joe Veleno on injured reserve and have called up Cole Beaudoin after waiving Matthew Robertson.
The Rangers have placed Joe Veleno on injured reserve and have called up Cole Beaudoin after waiving Matthew Robertson. Beaudoin will make his NHL debut tonight on the Rangers' fourth line. Both Matt Rempe and Jaroslav Chmelar have practiced on the fourth line, but one of them will come out of the lineup and watch from the press box. Igor Shesterkin will stand between the pipes for the Blueshirts while Semyon Varlamov will make his first start in nearly two years. Islanders forward Matthew Barzal is day to day and not expected to play tonight.
Where to Watch
Cable/Network TV: ESPN
National Broadcast: ESPN+
Radio: 880 AM
Player to Watch: Cole Beaudoin
The early returns on Beaudoin have been encouraging, accumulating five points in two games with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Beaudoin was a first-round pick in 2024 and was acquired from the Utah Mammoth as part of the Vincent Trocheck trade. Beaudoin brings a physical two-way game, which we know is something the Rangers desire.
Cole Beaudoin is a dawg. This assist is nasty pic.twitter.com/c8jOUAHM8o
— Tyler (@Rangers9593) October 5, 2026
A large topic of discussion this offseason has been the Rangers' poor current and future center depth. A lot is riding on Beaudoin's development, with his range of outcomes being a second-line center or fourth-line center. Ideally I would like to see him on the third line, but his first opportunity will come on the fourth line.
Enjoy the game!
