Game Preview: Islanders vs. Rangers

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (5-8-2) VS NEW YORK RANGERS (11-4-3)7:30 PM | UBS ARENA | BUY TICKETSWATCH:MSG+2 | MSG GO | ESPN+LISTEN: 1050AM | 88.7FM | 103.9FM
Rivalry night.
The New York Islanders continue their four-game homestand at UBS Arena as they host their crosstown rivals, the New York Rangers, on Wednesday night.

The Islanders look to get their first win at UBS Arena and hope to snap a six-game losing skid after being shut out by Toronto 3-0 on Sunday night. Ilya Sorokin made 37 saves on 40 shots in the loss.
Despite finally opening their new arena, the Islanders have dealt with unfortunate luck as of late as Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, Ross Johnston, Adam Pelech, Andy Greene, Kieffer Bellows and now Zdeno Chara are in COVID-19 protocols. That news, in tandem with Ryan Pulock and Brock Nelson both out with respective lower-body injuries for the foreseeable few weeks, has taken a toll on the lineup.

While presented with adversity, the Islanders are just focused on the things that are within their control and utilizing a 'Next Man Up' mentality as they try to fill the sizable vacancies in their lineup.
"We'll continue to do what we have control of," Islanders President and General Manager Lamoriello said on Tuesday afternoon in his availability. "You can't deal with things that are out of your hands. Certainly, these are difficult times, but we will stay focused on the players we have, what our abilities are to replace players, if necessary and stay as positive as we possibly can."
The Rangers enter the contest coming off a 5-4 win over Buffalo on Sunday night. Chris Kreider, Jacob Trouba, Kaapo Kakko, K'Andre Miller and Ryan Lindgren all scored, while Lindgren's game winner came with just 0.7 seconds on left on the clock. Alexandar Georgiev started in goal but was relieved by Igor Shesterkin for the final period. Georgiev made 14 saves on 18 shots through 40 minutes, while Shesterkin made four saves on as many shots in 20 minutes.

TURKEY AND TRIMMINGS FOOD DRIVE:
The New York Islanders, in partnership with Island Harvest and supported by Stop & Shop, are holding a turkey and trimmings food drive on Nov. 24, 2021 ahead of the Islanders-Rangers game at UBS Arena.
Fans who donate a frozen turkey or six non-perishable food items (canned foods or dried goods) can score a coupon for $30 off your online order (delivery/pick-up) of $100 at Stop & Shop locations and a coupon for 25% off your purchase at the Islanders Team Store or Pro Shop.\
\While supplies last, See voucher for details.
Click here for more information
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ISLANDERS NOTES:
• The team has lost six games in a row in regulation for the first time since Dec. 2-13, 2010.
ISLES VS RANGERS
ISLANDERS ARTICLES
3 Takeaways: Isles Shut Out By Maple Leafs 3-0
Isles Day to Day: Nelson Out 2-4 Weeks with Lower-Body Injury
Sights and Stories from Opening Weekend at UBS Arena
Islanders Prospect Report: Nov. 22, 2021
ISLANDERS VIDEO
Trotz Pregame: Coming Soon
Player Pregame: Coming Soon
GAME EXTRAS
Talkin' Isles
Isles STM Reserve List
Bid on Hockey Fights Cancer Jerseys
Get Ready for Game Day
Getting Here
Parking
• Sorokin made his 12th start of the season while his record dropped to 5-5-2. The Russian netminder has a 2.54 GAA, a .925 SV% and three shutouts.
• Nelson sustained a lower-body injury during the first period against Toronto on Sunday. The centerman has the second-longest consecutive games played streak in club history at 316, but that will end on Wednesday as he will not play against the Rangers, per Lamoriello.
• The Islanders recalled Robin Salo, Grant Hutton, Andy Andreoff, Richard Panik and Paul LaDue from their AHL affiliate the Bridgeport Islanders in the wake of the injuries/players in protocols. With Nelson's injury, they also recalled Anatolii Golyshev on Tuesday morning. The Russian winger has not played an NHL game yet, so if he plays against the Rangers that will be his NHL debut. The Islanders also recalled Thomas Hickey in the wake of Chara's absence. Hickey has played 454-career games with the Islanders and appeared in five games with the team last season.
• The Islanders are 5-3-2 when scoring first and are 0-5-0 when allowing the opening goal.
• The Islanders won six of eight meetings against the Rangers last season.

RANGERS NOTES:
• With the win, the Rangers have recorded at least one point for ninth time in the last 11 games (7-2-2) and have at least one point in 14 of their 18 games this season. The Rangers are currently 5-1-0 in their last six games.
• In their 5-4 win over Buffalo, New York had 12 different players record at least a point. Artemi Panarin posted a game-high of three points on three assists. The Russian winger leads his team in scoring with 19 points (4G, 15A) through 18 games.
• Kreider scored his 13th goal of the season and his eighth on the power play. He leads the team in goals. His 13 tallies are ranked the third most in the NHL.
• Adam Fox, who was born and raised on Long Island (Jericho), dished out two assists. The reigning Norris Trophy winner has the most points in the NHL among defensemen with 18 points (4G, 14A) through as many games.
• Georgiev made his fifth start of the season and has a 2-1-1 record. The Russian netminder has a 4.08 GAA and a .858 SV%.
• Shesterkin has received the majority of the workload for the Rangers this season and has made 13 starts. The Russian goalie has a 9-3-2 record, a 2.33 GAA and a .931 SV%.
• The Rangers power play ranks 12th overall in the NHL at 21.2%.
• The Rangers have Sammy Blais on IR with a torn ACL that the winger sustained against New Jersey on Nov. 14.