The Battle of New York will be held Sunday at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
It’s been 423 days since the Rangers and Islanders last faced each other in the regular season, a fact that sounds both disgraceful and absurd to NHL and New York hockey fans.
Call it an accumulation, or call it just an anomaly, but all you can really say is that it’s about time.
“The two New York teams hadn’t seen each other in a year,” Vincent Trocheck said. “I think that’s definitely unusual.”
The Rangers will put their perfect 4-0 record in outdoor play on the line Sunday, with a chance to become the first team in NHL history to win five straight games in such an environment.
More importantly, their season-best second six-game winning streak will either end or be extended.
While this event is meant to be enjoyed and savored, Rangers cannot forget the importance of the two points they will earn.
Sunday will be the first of 15 Metropolitan Division games for the Rangers with 28 remaining.
The Rangers are competing for a wild-card spot against the Islanders, who will play three more times after Sunday and are in fifth place in the division.
Only one point separated the Isles and Devils until Saturday night when they faced the Flyers in their first outdoor game at MetLife.
“[The Islanders are] They’re playing really well,” head coach Peter Laviolette said. “If you look at their lineup, they’re really well-balanced and have really good depth. Good forwards, good defense, good goaltenders.
“And then it’s New York vs. New York, which is going to be a great game.”
The Blueshirts last played outdoors in the 2018 Winter Classic, the first time in six years since a 3-2 overtime win over the Sabers at Citi Field, and the last time they played outdoors against the Islanders in rainy conditions. More than 10 years have passed since then.
Chris Kreider remains the only Ranger who played in the 2-1 win, while Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Brock Nelson all remain with the Islanders.
It’s a much different era, and there could be some new blood in the lineup when the Rangers take the ice at MetLife Stadium.
Matt Lempe is poised to become the first player in history to make his NHL debut in an outdoor game.
Like most hockey players, a major part of Rempe’s childhood in Calgary was skating outside.
But playing a glorious game with friends on an Alberta pond doesn’t compare to playing in the world’s biggest hockey league for the first time in front of a packed football stadium.
It’s going to be huge. Not just Rempe, but all Rangers and Islanders.
It’s going to be fun.
Just like all hockey players have memories of playing outdoors.
A new chapter in the Battle of New York.
“I think everyone wants to know what a great experience it is to play an outdoor game and make sure they’re soaking up the moment and really having fun,” Trocheck said. “But once you get on the ice, it’s all business and it’s all just another regular season game.”
