Rangers at Islanders
The New York Rangers have dropped eight of their last 11 to find themselves in the cellar of the congested Metropolitan Division, one point behind the New York Islanders. The Rangers look to reverse course on their current path and snap a five-game losing skid to the Islanders on Thursday when the crosstown rivals meet at Barclays Center for the first time this season.
Kevin Hayes scored and set up a goal in Tuesday's 3-2 setback at Minnesota to extend his assist and point streak to three games and point total to seven in eight contests since returning from injury. The 25-year-old has scored a goal in both the Rangers' 4-3 shootout loss to the Islanders on Oct. 19 as well as a 7-2 shellacking on Jan. 13. Islanders rookie sensation Mathew Barzal scored two goals and set up three others in that latter encounter and registered another five-point performance - all assists - in a 7-6 overtime win over Detroit on Friday. The Islanders, however, dropped back-to-back contests to Calgary and Columbus as they head into the finale of their four-game homestand on Thursday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG, MSG-Plus2
ABOUT THE RANGERS (27-25-5): Chris Kreider returned to practice on Wednesday after being sidelined since Dec. 27 with a blood clot that required surgery to repair. "It really puts things in perspective," the 26-year-old Kreider said after skating with his teammates in a non-contact practice jersey. "I don't think I took (playing hockey) for granted ever, but it definitely makes you grateful for everything you have." Fellow forward Pavel Buchnevich also skated in a non-contact practice sweater on Wednesday as he attempts to work his way back from a concussion.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (27-25-6): Captain John Tavares recorded his 600th career point by jamming home a loose puck on the power play in the first period of a 4-1 setback versus the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. The 27-year-old, who has a team co-leading 29 goals and club-best 63 points, is on pace for his first point-per-game campaign since 2014-15. Fellow forward Anders Lee notched his team-leading 47th assist against Columbus and also had one in the first meeting with the Rangers.
OVERTIME
1. Rangers F Mats Zuccarello has two goals and two assists during his four-game point streak against the Islanders.
2. Islanders G Jaroslav Halak was in net for both encounters versus the Rangers and sports a 16-7-0 mark with two shutouts against the club.
3. The Rangers' special teams have been solid as they have recorded a power-play goal in seven of the last 11 games and thwarted 22 of their last 25 short-handed opportunities in their last eight contests.