Islanders at Rangers
The New York Rangers have turned around their season by recording at least one point in nine of their last 10 games (8-1-1), but the lone regulation loss in that stretch continued a disastrous run against their cross-town rival. The Rangers, who dropped a 7-5 decision to the New York Islanders last week, will bid to snap an eight-game skid in the series on Wednesday when the clubs meet at Madison Square Garden.
"We have a little bit of a chip on our shoulder because of how (the series has) gone as of late," Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith told Newsday. The Rangers rebounded from their setback to the Islanders to double up both Florida and Dallas to extend their winning streak at MSG to six games heading into the finale of their three-game homestand. Anthony Beauvillier recorded career firsts with both a hat trick and a four-point performance (three goals, one assist) against the Rangers before netting his fifth goal of the season on Sunday as the Islanders fell to 7-3-2 in their last 12 outings following a 6-2 setback to the Stars. "He looks like a completely different player. Think he's got a little confidence, obviously ... I think he's playing freer," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said of the 21-year-old Beauvillier.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG, MSG2
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (10-7-2): Mathew Barzal set up Scott Mayfield's third-period tally on Sunday to boost his point streak to a season-high five games, during which he has a goal and five assists. The reigning Calder Memorial Trophy recipient, Barzal notched one of his team-leading 16 assists in the last encounter with the Rangers and enjoyed a five-point performance (two goals, three assists) in a 7-2 win at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 13. Leo Komarov and Brock Nelson each scored and set up a goal against the Rangers last week, with the former carrying a three-game point streak into Wednesday's tilt.
ABOUT THE RANGERS (11-8-2): Filip Chytil became the first teenager in franchise history to score in four straight games in Monday's 2-1 win over Dallas when he netted the go-ahead goal early in the third period. "I am happy we are winning and I can help the team with goals," the 19-year-old Chytil said. "I am trying to play hard and play my game." Fellow forward Chris Kreider scored twice against the Islanders last week to give him seven points (four goals, three assists) in his last five games overall and five (three goals, two assists) in his last seven contests in the series.
OVERTIME
1. Rangers G Alexandar Georgiev carries a three-start winning streak into Wednesday's contest.
2. The Islanders are 7-0-0 against Metropolitan Division rivals this season.
3. Rangers C Mika Zibanejad has collected 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in his last 17 contests.