The Rivalry Comes to Brooklyn: Rangers vs. Islanders - I

From the desks of:

RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS  and  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

The Rivalry

TONIGHT

New York Rangers

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

BARCLAYS CENTER

BROOKLYN

Six points separate the (#2) Rangers and (#5) Islanders in the Eastern Conference standings. 

Sandwiched between them are Washington and Pittsburgh.  The gap between them, however, is now far closer than New Yorkers are normally accustomed to.

This evening, the Rivalry prepares to cross the East River, and invade the Borough of churches.

Lord Stanley pray for us all....

Both Nassau County leadership, and locals, rejected further financing of the decades long campaign, and ultimately pulled the plug on constructing a new base of operations for their NHL hockey club.

Forced to move on, the crossroads of Brooklyn are the new battle front between Tex's Rangers, and the seemingly nomadic Islanders.

The Battles of Uniondale are done.  The fight for Flatbush, is on.

Now it's Borough against Borough - or maybe it will build up to that over time, as Long Islanders are the one's largely attending games during this early going.  On that note, you can bet there will be hoards of Rangers fans in the building.

It's going to take some time in order for the Isles to establish their settlement along Flatbush Avenue.

In the meantime, enjoy the first regular season game between the Islanders and Rangers in Brooklyn.

The Skates of 'Rath...

Kevin Klein's promotion to the top defensive line didn't last very long.  He is due to miss the next few weeks with an abdominal injury sustained against Carolina.

As they say, one man's injury is another man's opportunity, meaning, Dylan McIlrath will finally get a block of consistent playing time (whether Alain Vigneault likes it or not).