The NHL is coming off an excellent weekend. Columbus was a great host to All-Star Game weekend, and while the game itself left a lot to be desired, the festivities and hospitality were top-shelf. In addition, while panned by several, the upcoming World Cup should garner lots of interest for the league and be a tremendous showcase for the talent in the NHL. Last, the division and wild card cases are shaping up for a tremendous last nine or so weeks weeks of the season.

Kicking off that stretch run of the season is a marquee game at the Nassau Coliseum between the Rangers and Islanders. Both teams are near the top of the Metro division, the Rangers building off their Cup Finals run of a year ago and rebounding from a slow start, while the Islanders have shown no inclination they will regress at all this season as they continue to play well. All looks right with the word, but Mother Nature will have none of it.

A storm bringing up to possibly 30 inches has already kicked off Monday morning. The forecasts are well known and the snow has already started. To get ahead of it, the Rangers moved Monday’s first post-All-Star break practice from Greenburgh to the Nassau Coliseum, and they stayed overnight at a nearby hotel (aka the Marriott) to avoid traveling Monday or Tuesday. Rick Nash and John Tavares were to fly in early this AM from Columbus, avoiding getting stuck in Ohio.

This is not the first time the NHL has faced a possible cancellation of a game due to travel and hopefully they do it better this time. As Pat Leonard wrote: the league waited until the afternoon of Nov. 20 before postponing the Rangers’ match the next day in snow-covered Buffalo to Feb. 20, jamming a sixth back-to-back set into a grueling second-half slate. Canceling Tuesday's game should be easier.

The Rangers and Islanders are both off Wednesday with home games scheduled on Thursday night. Move the game one day and take the commuting decision out the players and more importantly the fans hands. We all know that NHL fans are rabid and will deal with almost anything to go to a game. That is especially true when the Rangers and Islanders meet. Keep the LIE and Meadowbrook clear. Allow local roads to be used only when needed not to get to the LIRR and head to a game that can be moved back one day with little impact.

Do the right thing the NHL, postpone the game one day.

Join the Discussion: » 210 Comments » Post New Comment

» Game 1: Rangers hold serve at home 4-1 over Caps behind the fourth line

» 2024 Series Overview and Preview - Round 1 - Rangers-Capitals

» Rangers-Capitals: Reading the Numbers, Looking for an Advantage

» Rangers-Capitals meet again, though for first time since 2015, in playoffs

» Rangers check all the boxes in 4-0 win over the Senators