Rangers vs. Islanders: Rivalry, Redemption, and a Familiar Face in a New Sweater
Don’t let the standings fool you - when the Rangers and Islanders go head-to-head, the records take a backseat. Sure, the Islanders are firmly in playoff position, sitting third in the Metro and holding a four-point cushion over the Flyers and Capitals.
And yes, the Rangers find themselves in the East’s basement, 11 points behind their crosstown rivals. But in this rivalry, the intensity doesn’t care about the math.
The two teams are set to square off in a home-and-home set starting Wednesday night at UBS Arena, with the rematch coming Thursday at Madison Square Garden. It’s a quick turnaround and a high-stakes doubleheader - especially for the Islanders, who are trying to solidify their playoff footing. But don’t think for a second that the Rangers are treating this like just another weeknight on the schedule.
“They’re having a really good year, and it’s always fun to play against them,” said defenseman Braden Schneider. “It’s an exciting rivalry and it’s always a battle, and you want to go out there and compete and get the win because it matters.”
And it does matter - to the players, to the fans, and to the city. Whether the teams are fighting for playoff seeding or just for pride, Rangers-Islanders always delivers a little extra juice.
Veteran center Sam Carrick put it best: “The atmosphere in the building speaks for itself. It’s loud in there when either team scores, so really it’s an exciting game.
In a way, it feels like a home game, it’s so close to home. They’re just fun, intense games.”
This week’s matchups come with a twist - and a bit of déjà vu. Carson Soucy, who was just traded from the Rangers to the Islanders on Monday, will make his debut for the blue and orange against his former team.
He’s expected to slot in on the third pair alongside Adam Boqvist, wearing No. 4.
“Unique,” is how Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan described the situation.
Soucy’s move across town was part of the Rangers’ broader roster retooling. With the 31-year-old set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, his departure wasn’t a shock - but landing with the Islanders?
That raised some eyebrows. This was only the fourth trade ever between the two New York franchises.
The timing, though, works out well for Soucy on a personal level. His wife just gave birth to their third child, so staying in the metro area is a win.
“They’re getting a good pro. They’re getting a real good person,” Sullivan said.
“They’re getting a solid, two-way defenseman. Skates well, good mobility, defends pretty well.
He’s predictable, which I think is a good attribute to have.”
Soucy won’t be the only debutant in Islanders colors. Ondrej Palat, a two-time Stanley Cup champ, will also make his first appearance after being acquired from the Devils on Tuesday. Forward Max Shabanov went the other way in that deal.
3 Storylines to Watch
1. Can the Rangers Build Off Boston?
New York is coming off an emotional 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins - a gritty, come-from-behind effort that saw them erase a 3-2 third-period deficit. It was a much-needed morale boost for a team that’s had more than its share of tough nights this season. That includes a 10-2 drubbing by those same Bruins just two weeks earlier.
Now the question is: Can they carry that momentum into the rivalry series?
“They’re going to be two fun games to play in,” said captain J.T. Miller. “We have to worry about [Wednesday] first, but we’re going to try to keep going with some of this good energy and the confidence we gained last game.”
2. Familiar Faces in New Places
Seeing Soucy in an Islanders jersey will be a bit surreal for Rangers fans - and maybe for the Rangers themselves. He was a steady presence on the blue line, and now he’s lining up against them in a rivalry game. That’s a quick turnaround in more ways than one.
Palat’s debut adds another wrinkle. He brings championship experience and a knack for showing up in big moments. The Islanders are hoping he brings some of that playoff pedigree to a team that’s trying to make a deep spring run.
3. Who Blinks in Net?
Goaltending has been a major storyline in this rivalry - and not in the way Rangers fans would like to remember. The Islanders have shut out the Rangers in both meetings this season: a 5-0 win at MSG in November behind Ilya Sorokin, and a 2-0 win on Long Island with David Rittich in net two days after Christmas.
This time, Spencer Martin gets the call for the Rangers. The 30-year-old journeyman has made three starts in the last five games and is 1-2-0 with a 3.90 GAA and .865 save percentage since being recalled from Hartford.
He’s stepping in while Igor Shesterkin continues to recover from a lower-body injury. Shesterkin skated on his own Wednesday, but there’s still no return date set.
“It’s special, pretty cool to be a part of,” Martin said about getting his first taste of the Rangers-Islanders rivalry.
On the other side, Rittich is expected to start for the Islanders. He’s been lights-out against the Rangers in his career - 4-0-0 with a sparkling 0.75 goals-against average and a .975 save percentage. That’s not a typo.
Looking ahead to Thursday, Jonathan Quick is expected to get the start for the Rangers. He’s fresh off career win No. 408, moving past Glenn Hall for 12th on the NHL’s all-time list. Sorokin, who just notched his league-leading sixth shutout Monday against the Flyers, is likely to be back in goal for the Islanders.
Projected Rangers Lineup
Forwards:
- Gabe Perreault - J.T.
Miller - Mika Zibanejad
- Artemi Panarin - Vincent Trocheck - Alexis Lafrenière
- Brennan Othmann - Noah Laba - Will Cuylle
- Taylor Raddysh - Sam Carrick - Matt Rempe
Defense:
- Vladislav Gavrikov - Braden Schneider
- Matthew Robertson - Will Borgen
- Urho Vaakanainen - Scott Morrow
Goalies:
- Spencer Martin
- Jonathan Quick
When: Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 7 p.m. ET
Where: UBS Arena
How to Watch: TNT / HBO Max
This rivalry has seen its share of twists, but this week’s chapter brings new faces, old grudges, and a Rangers team looking to prove they’ve still got some fight left. Buckle up.