Rangers against the New York Islanders.
Last meeting was a huge upset for us Rangers fans. I have never seen anything luckier happen to a down in the dumps team like the Islanders like the last time these two teams met. But, following that game, the Islanders have dug themselves into a hole too deep to comprehend. Losing fourteen games straight should not happen in the National Hockey League. Its like when you see an overly obese person and you think to yourself, "how on Earth do they let themselves get that way!?" Although, I'm quite glad that streak finally ended against a team I equally dislike and is doing quite awful this season.
The Islanders haven't won since they beat the Devils, God knows how long ago. However, that may mean they have had more time to prepare. All along, they could have been going over each aspect and can come into tonights game way more prepared than the Rangers have anticipated. If they can convert on that plan, is still up for question.
The Rangers are once again struggling for consistency, and are slipping closer toward the 8th place standing in the Eastern Conference. With the power play unable to convert unless it is against a lifeless team like the Oilers, Panthers, or Wild, maybe tonight we can see a power play goal or two out of the boys. Gaborik has also been on his own little tear, racking up five points in his last seven games, which could also strike some fear into the Islanders bench as well. Martin Biron, who has also been putting up fantastic numbers as the Rangers backup goalie, will also be taking his place between the pipes. Each important aspect for the Rangers is solid, now working on conversion and control is the only thing they need to worry about.
My Diagnosis
With the Islanders flopping around the league like fish sticks out of water, its hard to see how they could win this game. The Rangers can easily take control of this injury plagued monstrosity and keep a solid stranglehold on them like they did against the Oilers. The only thing the Rangers need to worry about is the final five minutes of the game, or as I like to call it, "heart attack time". We all saw the Rangers fall to pieces last time these two teams meet, and the final five minutes of a Rangers hockey game scares me more than Armageddon. If they can work hard all 60 minutes, and build up a steady lead, this game will belongs to the upper class New York hockey team.
My Predictions
Rangers win 4-1
Ryan Callahan will score the first goal for the Rangers halfway into the 1st period.
Marian Gaborik will get the second one.
Josh Bailey will get the Islanders lone goal at the end of the 2nd.
Marc Staal will get the third one for the Rangers.
And the empty netter will be scored by Callahan again.
Enjoy the game everyone!
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