12/3/10 Rangers vs. Islanders Part 2

Dany Heatley returning to Ottawa > LeBron James returning to Cleveland. Just saying.

Rangers at home against the New York Islanders.

This game will wrap up the home at home, and the third meeting of six between these two teams this season. So far, the Ranger have taken a game, as well as the Islanders.

And with the excitement of last nights thrilling win still prevalent in the Rangers locker room, they have the momentum advantage right out of the gate. Marian Gaborik turned on his game when the team needed it most last night, getting a hat trick and the game winning goal. Losing two two-goal leads is nothing to be proud of, but when the team needed him, he was there to provide the lift needed to win. Have you ever heard the saying "when it rains, it pours"? That can be said for Marian Gaborik's scoring abilities. In the past four games that Gaborik has scored a goal, two of those game have been hat tricks. With that being said, if Gaborik can get on the board, the Islanders better be watching him every step of the way, because the floodgates have a very good chance of opening if that happens.

Like I said yesterday, if the Rangers don't take full advantage of this game, the Islanders have a chance to bring themselves right back into it. We've seen it happen three times now, so its time the Rangers got the message. Fluke goals and lucky deflections are becoming the norm when these two teams meet, which could potentially spark a run that can bring the Islanders right back into it. And they have the potential to do that, too. Goals can come from anyone on that team, and if the Rangers don't cut out the mistakes they keep making when they play the Islanders, these games will continue to be struggles.

My Diagnosis

If the Rangers can correct everything that they've done wrong in these past two games against the Islanders, then they can take this game easily. That may not be as easy as it sounds, but with the new top line of Avery-Christensen-Gaborik, good things look as though they are on their way. If Henrik can stay sharp and not allow any softies in, and the defense can do something about all of these loose pucks that the Islanders manage to get control of in the Rangers zone, then this game goes to the Rangers.

My Predictions


Since both games these teams have played have had a team get five goals or more, I'm getting the feeling its going to happen again tonight too.

Rangers win 5-3

Rangers will get on the board first with a goal from Erik Christensen.
Following him up will be another goal for the Rangers coming three quarters of the way through the first by Dan Girardi.
Frans Nielsen will get the Islanders a goal at the start of the second period.
Brandon Dubinsky will pot a third goal for the Rangers with five minutes remaining in the second period.
Blake Comeau will get the last goal of the second period for the Islanders.
Marian Gaborik will get the fourth goal for the Rangers.
Trent Hunter will get one in the closing minutes of the third period.
The empty netter from Brandon Dubinsky will seal the game for the Rangers.

Enjoy the game everyone!