Here are some notes for those fans watching the New York Islanders (4-4-1) take on the New York Rangers (4-5-0) in NHL action at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.
For the Islanders fans:
The guys are on a two-game road winning streak and have earned points in their last three road games (2-0-1). In five road games this season, the Islanders have only lost once in regulation (3-1-1).
Isles keeper Evgeni Nabokov has started in all but one Islanders game this season (Jan 25 at Boston). He’s started in each of the team’s last five games. Nabokov earned his 316 career victory on Thursday against New Jersey; the keeper currently ranks fourth among active keepers.
Blueliner Andrew MacDonald ranks sixth in the NHL in average time on ice-per-game at 27:04, while also being tied for 12th in the league in blocked shots with 23.
Upcoming Islestones:
Marty Reasoner is three goals shy of 100
Josh Bailey is three goals shy of 50
Kyle Okposo is five assists shy of 100
Andrew MacDonald is six assist shy of 50
For the New York Rangers Fans:
The New York Rangers have been struggling to string together victories. A main part of the struggles has been the power play as the Blueshirts are 3-35 with the extra man.
Looking to bust out of a major slump is Marian Gaborik, who has gone without a point over his last four games, this matches the longest drought from all of last season.
Still the King of the cage for the Rangers is Henrik Lundqvist who has a 1.32 goals-against average and three shutouts.
The Blueshirts have done well defending the power play thus far, only surrendering one power play goal in eight straight games heading into the game tonight.
The Islanders and the Rangers game is scheduled to play on the MSG Network, with face-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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