Islanders Become Kings of New York Hockey After Sweeping Season Series versus the Rangers

My how things have changed in New York when it comes to hockey between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders.

From the 2021-22 through the 2023-24 season, the Blueshirts were the team to watch. They went to the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2022 and 2024, came within two wins of going to the Stanley Cup Final in 2022 and 2024, won the Presidents' Trophy in 2024, and were the much better hockey club.

Fast forward to this season and things are upside down. The Islanders have taken over hockey in New York and have done so in a convincing manner.

For starters, the Islanders beat the Rangers in all four games they played them this season. After beating the Blueshirts by a score of 2-1 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday night, January 29, the Islanders showed the Rangers how dominant they could be as they outscored the Blueshirts by a combined score of 14-3.

With the exception of last night's game, the Rangers were not competitive in any of their tilts with the Islanders this season. They were shutout in two of the four games and were simply manhandled by their long-time rivals.

Speaking of being manhandled, the Islanders are doing that to the Rangers in the standings this season as well. As of this writing (Friday, January 30), the Islanders are third in the Metropolitan Division, eighth in the Eastern Conference, and 11th in the NHL with a record of 30-19-5 for 65 points.

At the other end of the stick, the Rangers are currently last in the Metropolitan Division, last in the Eastern Conference, and 28th in the NHL with a record of 22-27-6 for 50 points. Talk about two teams being polar opposites, eh?

Lastly, a big difference this season is in terms of what the teams are looking to do at the trade deadline. When it comes to the New York Rangers, they are all about selling.

A few weeks ago, Rangers' President and General Manager Chris Drury sent a letter out to the team's fans saying that they would be retooling. He mentioned that meant that some popular players might be on the move, so that they could focus on being contenders again in the future.

One domino has already fallen as it looks like the team's best offensive player Artemi Panarin has played his last game as a member of the Rangers. The Rangers are keeping him out of the team's lineup for roster management reasons, so that is one of the team's popular players that will be on the move in short order.

New York Islanders' General Manager Mathieu Darche is doing the exact opposite for his hockey club. When he spoke to reporters two days ago, Darche mentioned that he will always look to make his team better as his team is currently in a good position to do some damage in the postseason.

Nothing’s off the table if I can improve the team,” Darche said, asked whether he may dangle one of his two first-round picks between now and the March 6 trade deadline. “Doesn’t mean I’m gonna move a first-round pick by any means, but if something makes sense, I got two this summer. I’m not afraid to move one if it makes sense.

“But I won’t move one just to get a name that, oh it sounds exciting but doesn’t quite fit, just to do it. But if the right deal comes along and the price — whatever deal you feel is right, there’s a price to pay. If I feel that the deal is right for a first-round pick, I’ll do it.

This past Monday and Tuesday night, they acquired Carson Soucy from the Rangers and Ondrej Palat from the Devils, respectively. Believe it or not, Soucy scored the first goal in their win over the Blueshirts last night.

For what seems like the first time in a long time, the Islanders are the toast of the hockey world in New York, and it is something that might last for more than just this season.