From the bright lights of Manhattan to the lighthouses on Long Island, it is a good time to be a hockey fan in New York. Both the Rangers and Islanders have started their season with a positive record, as their rosters both shine. As October came to a close, the Islanders posted a 5-2-2 record through nine games as the Rangers have a 8-2-0 record through ten games.
Through the offseason, the Islanders decided they believe in their current group, as the Rangers decided they needed more of a veteran presence to complement their young stars. Islander’s general manager, Lou Lamoriello, signed Julien Gauthier (F), Karson Kuhlman (F), and Brian Pinho (F) to league minimum deals while resigning players like Scott Mayfield (D), Pierre Engval (F), and Semyon Varlamov (G). Meanwhile in Manhattan, Rangers signed players like Nick Bonino (F), Blake Wheeler (F), Erik Gustafsson (D), and Jonathan Quick (G), who is a two-time Stanley Cup champion.
The “kid line,” which includes Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko, and Alexis Lafreniere, has molded into stars, putting up a combined twelve points through ten games played. The Islanders second line has shown themselves as one of the best lines in the league. Brock Nelson, Pierre Engvall, and Kyle Palmieri have a combined 20 points through nine games as well as two of the three playing on the penalty kill , showing skill both offensively and defensively. Not only have they been playing well offensively, but both the Rangers and Islanders have the two best goaltenders in the league with the likes of Ilya Sorokin (NYI) and Igor Shesterkin (NYR). Sorokin already has a shutout as well as posting a .910 save percentage to go along with Shesterkin’s .913.
For November, both teams will have an exciting schedule filled with division rivals, such as the Islanders and Flyers playing twice in one week and the Rangers facing off against the Hudson River rivals, the New Jersey Devils. Both teams are predicted to be able to make a huge impact in the NHL’s 82-game season along with going deep in the playoffs.
