Rangers vs. Islanders: Gluten Free on the Island
A rivalry that used to mean everything now feels like Spencer Martin vs. David Rittich, Panarin sadness, and a whole lot of existential dread.
- For as long as I can remember when I heard that the New York Rangers were taking on the New York Islanders I would get excited for the game. I'll be honest: it's hard to get up for a matchup of Spencer Martin versus David Rittich, especially when you kick off the night with this news..
He's not expected to play again in any games before the Olympic break. No trade to report at the moment, but it's obviously heading in that direction. #NYR https://t.co/tAEDTWCTit
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) January 28, 2026
- Look, we all know a Panarin trade is going to happen. It should happen. It needs to happen. But fuck if it doesn't make me sad that the single best free agent to ever sign with the New York Rangers is on his way out the door. I'm sure that there will be more on this written, but I've always said Panarin was the right player at the wrong time for the Rangers when they signed him. Best of luck wherever he lands.
- If you're wondering why Trocheck was in the lineup given the likelihood that he's going to be traded soon too, it's probably because Panarin isn't going to play in the Olympics. Trocheck will, so the injury risk is going to be there anyway.
- Now that Carson Soucy has been traded I'm calling for a moratorium on issuing the number 24. Ever since Captain Callahan left the number has been nothing but bad news: Ryan Malone, Oscar Lindberg, Boo Nieves, The Finnish Bust, and then Soucy. Yeah, let's give it some time, maybe burn some sage, give the demons a little space to leave.
- Matthew Schaefer is going to be annoying for a long time. The last time the Islanders drafted a defenseman who I was this annoyed by it was Zdeno Chara. Hopefully Matthew Darche screws up as badly as Mike Milbury did.
Ten minutes in and the Rangers don't have a shot on goal. Is it possible that UBS Arena is close enough to the Garden that the #NYR sticks think this is a home game?
— Chip23 (@NYRChip23) January 29, 2026
