The battle for bragging rights is always fun and New York is a great place to do it. So many New York teams in every sport (except basketball since NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK ARE 2 DIFFERENT STATES) and the battle continues on Monday as the Islanders will take on the Rangers at the Garden.
The Rangers have dropped 3 in a row. A close one in San Jose, an OT loss to Washington despite leading in the game 4-0, and then a fairly weak performance against the New Jersey Devils.
The Islanders had lost 10 in a row until winning their first game of December against Toronto. However, the Islanders went right back on to losing as they lost the the Sabres in a shootout.
The Rangers seem to struggle a lot against the Islanders no matter how good or bad the Islanders are going. So far this season the two teams are 1-1 against each other.
The Rangers could not beat what was probably a fatigued New Jersey Devils team on Saturday night at the Garden. The Islanders despite losing 11 of their last 12, have played real well in their last 2 games by receiving a win and playing well against a Sabres team that for the moment I will call "decent."
The Rangers have given up a lead leading 11 short handed goals. The Islanders are 18th in the league in PP%. The Rangers are 25th in that same category.
If I had to make a prediction I would say the Rangers win this game 2-1 after 19 rounds of a shootout.
If the Islanders win in regulation or even at all, I will not be surprised.
The standings mean absolutely nothing in this game. Momentum is EVERYTHING. Energy is even more than everything.
Yours truly will be on hand!
Mark Elliot Wishnia
SportsTalkNY Blog Team
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