The Islanders are 3-0-0 against the Rangers this season. The Rangers and Islanders have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Islanders are 4-12-4 in their past 20 games; the Rangers are 1-8-2 against the Islanders during the past three seasons and have lost all five games at Barclays Center.
Players to watch
Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello has two goals and two assists in his past five games against the Islanders. He has five points in seven games against the Islanders since the start of last season. Islanders center Mathew Barzal leads all NHL rookies with 82 points. He has six points (two goals, four assists) in his past four games.
They said it
"(Jaroslav Halak) has played some outstanding games against us. I'm not quite sure why so far he seems to have had our number, but we've got more opportunity. After watching (Tuesday's game), we need a better start." -- Rangers coach Alain Vigneault "Anytime you play the Rangers, ever since I've been here, they've been great games. Whether it's high-scoring or low-scoring, it's always been very fun and very close." -- Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy
The Rangers did not hold a morning skate. … Islanders coach Doug Weight said Boychuk will not play the final two games. Prince, who has been out because of an upper-body injury, will play for the first time since Jan. 18. He will replace Fritz, who is ill.
Stat pack
Rangers coach Alain Vigneault has 648 NHL wins and can pass Ron Wilson for 10th on the all-time list with a victory. … The Islanders must win to finish above .500 at Barclays Center for a third straight season (18-18-4).
