Game Preview: Islanders vs Rangers

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (9-6-2) VS NEW YORK RANGERS (9-7-2)
7 P.M. | BARCLAYS CENTER | BUY TICKETS
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GAME NOTES | ISLES DAY-TO-DAY | MORNING SKATE
The New York Islanders and New York Rangers always play for pride, but there's a little more on the line when the arch rivals meets on Thursday night at Barclays Center.
The Isles and Rangers are tied with 20 points apiece and currently hold the second and third seeds in the Metropolitan Division. It's too early to be a make-or-break game for either side, but in an ultra-tight division, it's a chance to create a little separation.

THE RIVALRY:

The Islanders have owned the Rangers over the past three seasons, going 11-1-0 over that span. The Isles have won seven straight games against the Rangers and are a perfect 6-0-0 at Barclays Center.
Barry Trotz, one of the newcomers to the Isles-Rangers rivalry, said he's looking forward to the hostilities on Thursday.
"I'm looking forward to it. I hear it's really good, really intense and no different than in my previous stop the first time we played against the Penguins. You don't know until you know. I'm looking forward to it and it should be exciting. From what I hear it's always a special game."

ISLANDERS NOTES:

UPDATE: Andrew Ladd, Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin were placed on injured reserve. Stephen Gionta and Michael Dal Colle were recalled from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Barry Trotz did not reveal his lineup for Thursday's game.
- Andrew Ladd and Casey Cizikas were both absent from Wednesday's practice. Ladd left Tuesday's win over Vancouver with a lower-body injury, while Cizikas had an undisclosed ailment.
"They were a little nicked up, so they are being assessed," Head Coach Barry Trotz said on Wednesday. "We'll see where they are tomorrow. Can't confirm or deny they're in or out because I haven't heard yet."
Tom Kuhnhackl skated in Ladd's spot during Wednesday's practice, while the Isles iced a makeshift fourth line of Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Ross Johnston in lieu of Cizikas.
- Matt Martin practiced with the Islanders for the first time since Nov. 1, but was ruled out for Thursday's game.
- Luca Sbisa could play his 500th career NHL game on Thursday if he's in the lineup.
- The Islanders are 6-0-0 in divisional games this season, matching the franchise record for best start vs the division set in 1982-83.
- Brock Nelson (1G, 3A) and Mathew Barzal (1G, 3A) are both riding three-game point streaks.
- Barzal has 10 points (3G, 7A) in four career games against the Rangers - the most of any team he's played in the NHL.

RANGERS NOTES:

• The Rangers enter Thursday's game as one of the hottest teams in the NHL, going 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and 6-0-1 in their last seven. The hot stretch has made up for a sluggish 2-5-1 start to the season, but the Rangers have played themselves back near the top of the division.
  - Mika Zibanejad leads the Rangers with 15 points and is tied with Kevin Hayes for the team lead in assists (8). Chris Kreider leads the Rangers with eight goals.
  - The Rangers recalled goalie Marek Mazanec from Hartford (AHL) on Wednesday and assigned Alexandar Georgiev to the Wolf Pack.
  - Henrik Lundqvist is expected to start on Thursday. Lundqvist is 6-6-2 this season with a 2.54 GAA and a .923 SV%.