Rangers know exactly what awaits them.
For the first time this season, the Blueshirts will travel to Long Island to face the Islanders at UBS Arena on Tuesday night, another divisional game ahead of the playoffs.
Including Tuesday’s matchup, the Rangers will play their final four Division 3 games.
The Islanders will be desperately trying to use their late-season momentum to make the playoffs.
They’ve won four in a row and are playing their best hockey this year.
“I think it’s going to be a good match. [Tuesday]” Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette said after Monday’s practice. “They’re going to be ready to play. We know exactly where they’re sitting and what we’re doing. We’re going to be ready to play and sharp. We have to play the game.”
If the Rangers sneak into the postseason, it’s very likely the Rangers will face the Islanders in the first round, making the remaining two regular season matchups even more intriguing.
The Rangers finished first in both their division and conference and are fighting to secure home ice advantage throughout the playoffs.
“I think we’re going to play a lot of good teams here that are competing for a playoff spot,” defenseman Jacob Trouba said Monday. “It’s good for us to play meaningful hockey. Two rivals, it’s very exciting to have such an intense game at the end of the year.
“They’re competing for a playoff spot and they want to get in there. We want to continue to play well and [play] our game. This makes for a competitive and fun game whenever the two teams get together. looking forward to it. ”
Laviolette skated on the front line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider in the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Canadiens on Sunday night as Jack Roslovic was a healthy injury. He spoke highly of Jimmy Vesey.
Vesey recorded an assist in 15 minutes, 27 seconds, the most he has played since February 28.
He has been active up and down the lineup this year.
“I thought Jimmy played a great game.” [Sunday] It’s night,” Laviolette said. “The versatility of having him is that he can jump up the lineup and get some minutes. Still, if you see a… [defensive-]A zone combo coming in, a line coming over the opponent’s boards, being able to make a quick switch and throw him out there is really valuable. ”
In addition to the Islanders, there are a number of other teams the Rangers could face in the first round.
The Red Wings, Flyers, Penguins and Capitals are in a huge battle for the final spot, which will likely end up being the deciding factor.
But when asked if it wasn’t strange that the Rangers hardly know who they’ll play, Laviolette said the opposite.
“I think it would be a little more unique if you were actually this far away and you knew who you were playing,” Laviolette said. “I think this is rather normal.”
