NFT: Rangers vs. Islanders @1pm @ Barclay’s

So even though we have not seen many hockey threads for lots of reasons I believe these games have to have one. There is nothing better than this rivalry. Yes my Islanders stunk for many years and showed promise a few of them until to head below mediocrity. The Rangers have frustrated their fans for getting close, and not close enough at other times with teams that they should have competed for Lord Stanley. But let’s be real these games still no matter what the record always have just a little more juice. So I am 1-0 starting a thread that needs to be here. They regular dumb comments will come from the same expected people. That should not be a reason for us to enjoy the last game these 2 teams will play against each other this year. It was great seeing some of the guys who made these threads classics back here on Thursday. Maybe they will show up again for some good banter and a good hockey game.So here we go

Islanders 24-14-4 52pts
Rangers 17-19-7 40pts

Islanders currently hold 1st wild card spot and a point out of 3rd in the Eastern Division. Rangers dominated the 3rd period of the game on Thursday. After a road trip sometimes it takes a bit to get your legs it looks like the Rangers found their’s in that 3rd period. The islanders scored on their only shot of the period with a little over a minute to go in the game. The Islanders even though they have won 7’of their last 8 and 3 of their last 4 have not been as good their last 4 games. Solid goaltending has helped them persevere. They will have to play a much better game than they did Thursday if the Rangers come out with the desire and passion they showed
In that 3rd period. Let’s Go Isles! Win one for PGA!p

ISLES-RANGERS NOTES:

- The Islanders have won nine of the past 10 meetings against the Rangers and 13 of the past 15.

- The Islanders are 7-0 vs the Rangers at Barclays Center, outscoring their rivals 25-12 (including a shootout winner). The 7-0 run marks the Islanders longest home winning streak vs the Rangers since an eight-game heater in 1991 and 1992.

- Mathew Barzal has 14 points (4G, 10A) in seven-career games against the Rangers. Barzal had three points (1G, 2A) in Thursday's win.

- Henrik Lundqvist is 1-9-2 in his last 12 games against the Islanders.

ISLANDERS NOTES:

- Robin Lehner has won a career-high, eight straight games. Lehner has allowed only 16 goals in his last 11 games (8-1-2, 1.50 GAA, .947 save percentage).

- Lehner is the fourth goalie in Isles history to win eight straight decisions and the first since Jaroslav Halak won 11 straight in 2014-15.

- Anders Lee has six points (2G, 4A) in his last four games. Lee recorded his 100th career assist on Thursday and his 140th career goal passed Kyle Okposo (139) on the Isles all-time list.

- Jordan Eberle has two goals in three games since returning from an upper-body injury. Eberle's next goal will be the 200th of his career.

- The Islanders power play went 2-for-3 against the Rangers on Thursday night.

- The Islanders (52 points) are in the first wild card berth in the Eastern Conference and are one point behind the Columbus Blue Jackets (53 points) for third in the Metropolitan Division.

- Saturday's game kicks off a busy stretch for the Isles, who play five games in seven days.

RANGERS NOTES:

- The Rangers are on a five-game losing streak.

- The Rangers (41 points) are 11 points back of the Buffalo Sabres (52 points) for the second wild card berth in the Eastern Conference.

- Kevin Hayes - the Rangers second-leading scorer - missed his fourth straight game on Thursday night.

- Henrik Lundqvist has lost three straight games and is 1-9-2 in his last 12 games against the Islanders.

- Mike Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 35 points (12G, 23A). Chris Kreider leads the team with 20 goals .