Neither rain, nor snow, nor dark of night can prevent the NHL from playing tonight's game. Yes, i know the first line is for the USPS but it fits here. There was a big question as to whether the storm would result in a postponement, but that has proven not to be the case.

The Midtown Tunnel rivals will kick off the second half of the season in a divisional matchup. The Islanders won the first two meetings rather handily and this is the first of three meetings at the Coliseum. The Rangers enter having won 16 of 19 to get back in the Metro division race and open a slight lead in the Wild Card standings. Despite that hot streak, the fine play of the Islanders and Capitals prevented the Rangers from pulling closer or opening a wider gap over those below them.

Both teams may not have their full complement of players. The Rangers may be without a forward tonight due to illness, the identity of that player is unknown at this time and is truly a game-time decision. Chris Kreider, who missed practice Monday, was on the ice Tuesday and is expected to play. Whoever sits, Tanner Glass would replace in the lineup, but the rest of the roster is the same as it has been recently. (Update: per line rushes, Stempniak out, Glass in on fourth line with Miller and D. Moore, Hayes centering Hagelin and Fast. Hunwick in, J. Moore out again)

For the Islanders, the absent player is more dramatic and long-term. Kyle Okposo will miss 6-8 weeks with an upper-body injury. In his stead, Mikhail Grabovski, who is returning to the lineup from his injury, will replace Okposo on the first line, moving Josh Bailey to right wing next to John Tavares.

The Islanders are viewing this game as a measuring stick. For the Rangers, it's a contest to keep the good times rolling and break the schneid against their divisional rivals. To me, it's too early to look at possible playoff matchups and worry about winning a division, as there is plenty of time to worry about that. In addition, injuries could be a factor as the season progress, so for now, the concern should be about the game at hand and focus on the future after that.

The challenge is broad with 38 games in the next 75 days, including 20 on the road. Win one and focus on the next one, don't get caught up in how many there are. if they do that, the record will take care of itself.

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