The Battle of New York gets its first chapter of the new season tonight as the New York Islanders visit the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM ET, with the Rangers entering as approximately -146 favorites and the Islanders around +122. The total is currently set at 5.5 goals.
The Rangers have opened the season at 3-1-0 and enter tonight riding a three-game winning streak. After being shut out by Boston in their opener, New York responded with wins over Tampa Bay, Detroit and Utah.
Their early success has started in goal.
Igor Shesterkin was named the NHL’s First Star of the Week after another strong stretch between the pipes, and the Rangers have allowed goals in only four of the first 12 periods they have played this season. Their penalty kill has also started 11-for-12.
Across town, the Islanders are coming off their best performance of the young season.
New York defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-0 on Saturday, with six different players finding the net and Ilya Sorokin stopping all 37 shots he faced.
Then there is the rivalry itself.
The Islanders dominated the season series last year, winning all four meetings against the Rangers. They outscored the Blueshirts 14-3 across those games and opened last season’s matchup at Madison Square Garden with a 5-0 shutout.
That history gives tonight’s game an extra edge.
The Rangers are trying to show that their strong start represents something different this season. The Islanders have an opportunity to prove last year’s dominance in the rivalry was no fluke.
With Shesterkin and Sorokin capable of taking over a game, a 5.5-goal total makes sense for a matchup that could tighten up quickly.
Early-season points matter.
But in New York, bragging rights matter too.