So here we are at last—a mere 207 days since the two teams have seen each other in a regular season contest—the New York Rangers are finally facing off against the New York Islanders once again. This is one of two games against their rival in the next five days, and then the Islanders will disappear off their radar until April of 2022.
This game is supposed to be an important litmus test for the Blueshirts. Per several Rangers beat writers, it was the thrashing that the Rangers endured from the Islanders two games in a row in late spring of this year that really started to move the needle for Dolan in his decision to shake up the team’s front office.