Islanders Game 60: Revenge on the Mind Against Rangers; Lines & How to Watch

NEW YORK — The New York Islanders have revenge on their minds as they take on the New York Rangers tonight in Madison Square Garden. Brock Nelson plays in his 900th NHL game tonight, joining Josh Bailey as the only modern-era Islanders player to reach that plateau with the franchise. Here’s the latest on his trade situation.

The Rangers played yesterday against the Nashville Predators and shut them out 4-0. In the season series with the Islanders, the Rangers squashed their rival with a 5-2 win in November and a 5-1 win last week.

The latter of those two games is firmly entrenched in the Islanders’ minds. Beaten up on their own ice, with chants of “Rempe, Rempe” ringing through their own arena, it is hard to forget.

Said Jean-Gabriel Pageau: “I don’t want to speak for everyone, but we’re extremely competitive. We need [to win] every game. It’s almost like must-wins, you’ve got to take them. So, [yes, last week] I take it as a motivation. I’m sure everyone is right now. They beat us at home. Let’s beat them here tonight.”

Pageau tried to downplay it, but he wants this game badly, not just because it’s a must-win but also from a pride standpoint.

Kyle Palmieri echoed the sentiment: “For sure [It’s extra motivation]. Any time you get these guys twice in a week, especially the point of the season that we’re at right now and where we are in the standings, it’s a big one, and we’re looking forward to the challenge tonight.”

Morning skate felt locked in and had an extreme focus. For the Islanders lineup, there are multiple changes. First, Anthony Duclair is being healthy scratched after head coach Patrick Roy publicly said they’re not happy with his game after Saturday’s drubbing of the Predators. Elsewhere, Pierre Engvall joins him scratched. Maxim Tsyplakov and Scott Mayfield will be re-inserted. The latter had been scratched for three straight games. Yes, that means the Islanders are going 11F/7D.

Islanders Lineup:

Anders Lee – Bo Horvat – Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Simon Holmstrom – Brock Nelson – Kyle Palmieri

Maxim Tsyplakov – Casey Cizikas – Hudson Fasching

Kyle MacLean – Marc Gatcomb

Defense & Goalies:

Alexander Romanov – Anthony DeAngelo

Adam Pelech – Noah Dobson

Scott Mayfield – Ryan Pulock

Adam Boqvist

Ilya Sorokin (Jakub Skarek)

Rangers Projected Lineup:

Artemi Panarin – Vincent Trocheck – Alexis Lafrenière

William Cuylle – J.T. Miller – Mika Zibanejad

Brennan Othmann – Jusso Pärssinen – Jonny Brodzinski

Brett Berard – Sam Carrick – Matt Rempe

KeAndre Miller – William Borgen

Urho Vaakanainen – Brayden Schneider

Calvin de Haan – Zac Jones

Igor Shesterkin (Jonathan Quick)

How to Watch:

TV: MSGSN, MSG, NHL Network (out of market)

Radio: 88.7 WRHU (FM)