12/27/10 Rangers vs. Islanders

Shoveling snow is not fun.

Rangers at home against the New York Islanders.

This is the fourth meeting between these two division rivals this season. The Islanders took the first game 6-4, while the Rangers have won the last two, including a 2-0 shutout on December 3rd. Henrik Lundvist has not been scored on in 366 days by the Islanders. He has two back to back shutouts against them, and five this season so far. The Rangers have dropped two in a row, but managed to get a point out of the game against the Lightning earlier this week. Marian Gaborik sat out that game with groin trouble, but is expected to be back in the lineup again tonight. However, Michael Del Zotto, who also sat out the game against the Lightning with the flu, will not be returning to the lineup tonight.

The Islanders are riding into this game on a three game win streak. After losing 14 straight games, and then losing some more, they are trying to salvage what is left of this season. Rick DiPietro was reactivated after suffering yet another injury, this time a swollen knee. However, it is hard to say if he will be used immediately after coming back form an injury. The Islanders have had good success with Dwayne Roloson between the pipes as of late, and look to build on that.

My Diagnosis


Despite the Islanders success, I don't feel that they are as heavily dangerous as the Rangers are. They do have people who can score, but the Rangers have the grit needed to win against a team like the Islanders. Also, I expect it to get scrappy, like any Rangers/Islanders game. Derek Boogaards name is not on the injury report on NHL.com, so the Rangers may have him activated after a long shoulder injury. If you hear the sound of stomping coming from your TV, you know Boogaard is playing tonight.

My Predictions

Rangers win 3-2

Marian Gaborik will get the opening goal in the 1st period.
Derek Stepan will follow up Gaboriks goal also in the 1st.
Jesse Joensuu will put the Islanders on the board early in the 2nd.
Erik Christensen will score the third Rangers goal also in the 2nd.
Finally, John Tavares will get the last Islanders goal half way through the 3rd period.

Enjoy the game!