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Bright Lights, Big City: Isles at NYR UPDATE 2:21 PM |
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2:21 PM: Halak in net, of course. I'm getting nervous? How about you?
It’s what you’ve been waiting for: the end of the road trip where the road lead to Madison Square Garden. This is about more than points: it’s about bragging rights.
The Islanders have had their hottest start in decades and were finally getting some media attention, long overdue media attention, then the Rangers started winning. Suddenly, THEY were the toast of NY. Granted, winning 13 of 14 of their last games is something to talk about, but it was nice hearing the Isles get some accolades while they were winning, especially from outlets who didn’t even know they existed.
This elongated road trip earned them four wins and two losses with their last two contests putting them back on a winning track. It was very nice to see Chad Johnson get a win and some confidence as they beat the Blue Jackets on Saturday 5-2 while an overtime victory in New Jersey added to Halak’s stats.
As a side note, Jaro Halak was not named to the All-Star game which is not a bad thing as his team mates contend. It will be good for him to use the extra time to recharge and be ready for the balance of the season. For the second year, John Tavares is the only Islander to be named to the All-Star team. While I didn’t expect anything less, I would love for him to pull an Ovie and say “Thanks, but no thanks” so that he has some extra time off. After all, the Isles lost DiPietro after a meaningless All-Star appearance and lost JT after the Olympics. I don’t like tempting fate. But he’ll never say ‘No’ to the NHL’s dog and pony show for sponsors.
The Rangers’ Rick Nash has also been named to the All-Star team. Rick and JT are just two points apart so far this season with JT having played three more games than Nash. Nash has 41 points and JT has 39. Whether we debate if it means anything or not, JT is a -3 and Nash is a +19. Ouch. He is followed by Ryan McDonagh at a +13 and Zuccarello at a +12. On the Isles side; Ryan Strome is a +13. (We’re down hill from there.)
But what about the fans? Because so much of this rivalry is played out in the stands, tonight will be epic. There will be a large contingent of brave Islander fans filling the Garden tonight and the Isles are looking to hear that “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chant if they score. Without a goal horn going off, it should be easy to hear.
The Isles fans at the Garden in October could be heard loud and clear, so with luck, tonight will be no different. I just hope it’s civil. Personally, I have never liked actually attending these rivalry games because there was more animosity in the stands than on the ice. On the ice, it’s a battle for points by professionals who understand they may not like each other, but one day they may be wearing that jersey and they have to respect that.
In the stands, not one fan would change jerseys-- not for money or under threat of death. So, we are more emotionally vested in these games, and it shows. Certainly there will be yapping at workplaces all over the tri state area today. Bets will be made and insults will be thrown. But it will all come down to what happens tonight on the Garden ice. Then tomorrow – it will start again.
Who will be victorious tonight? Streaks are made to be broken and the Rangers’ streak has gone on long enough. “Let’s Go Islanders!”
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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