Circle your calendars: For the first time since World War II, a hockey rivalry returns to New York City.
The Islanders, leaving Nassau Coliseum behind after more than four decades in Uniondale, host the Rangers at Barclays Center on Dec. 2 in the first of four interborough battles next season, with the second clash in Kings County coming on Jan. 14.
The Rangers will face their newest rival — the Tampa Bay Lightning — three times, first on Nov. 19, following the Blueshirts’ being shut out in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals.
That loss, keeping the Rangers one win from a second straight Stanley Cup Final appearance, will make their season-opening meeting against the Blackhawks come four months later than they had hoped.