Fans take in an epic scene as fireworks are set off at the event’s conclusion.
Getty Images/Frank Franklin II

The enormity wasn’t too much for the Rangers. Featured as part of the Coors Light Stadium Series, they held up their end of the bargain by winning both games. After putting up a touchdown and extra point against the Devils Sunday, they won in more conventional fashion against their classic New York rival- edging the Islanders 2-1 to sweep the two games at Yankee Stadium.

Playing in 19 degree temperatures with a wind chill that made it feel close to zero, the Rangers and Islanders faced off before 50,027 who braved the winter elements to cheer their heroes. When it comes down to it, Islanders/Rangers will always be the RIVALRY here. Sure, the Devils play a close second but they don’t compare to our more classic rival. Even if you want to throw in their three Cups and success, you can’t substitute the Hudson rivalry for the one between Manhattan and Long Island. Over forty years of sheer hatred. Only the Islanders get the hate from our fans who still chant, “Potvin Sucks” while the other side is more creative than our Jersey neighbors. If ever both teams met in the playoffs again, it would stand alone.

In keeping with a theme from the first game, the ice wasn’t ideal. In more of a feeling out opening period that lacked quality chances and wasn’t fluid, the puck was bouncing for both sides. Perhaps that along with several whistles made the first 20 minutes barely watchable. At least there was no delay. What it lacked in flow was made up for by the goalies. Henrik Lundqvist (30 saves) and Evgeni Nabokov (32 saves) were razor sharp. The Islanders got the only two power plays early but got nothing accomplished. A big theme was the Ranger penalty kill which went a perfect four for four. Lundqvist turned aside 10 Islander shots in the first but had plenty of help from a disciplined PK unit featuring strong work from Ryan McDonagh and Carl Hagelin. Each made some defensive gems that kept the Islanders from setting up.

Brock Nelson is congratulated by teammates including Calvin de Haan for his goal.
Getty Images/Frank Franklin II

Perhaps the slow start was predictable. You figured there was an adjustment period for Islander players. The funny aspect was while the majority of theirs got much better, the Rangers struggled throughout the first half. In the first, they kept the Islanders to the outside including a dangerous top line featuring John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo. That changed quickly. If they’d been able to finish around the net, they easily could’ve had three goals. A big part of why that didn’t occur was Lundqvist, who was at his absolute best. It took a perfect shot to beat him. With the team in front of him more turnover prone, the Islanders kept getting great chances. At one point, they led 8-1 but it remained scoreless until Cal Clutterbuck intercepted a pass and set up rookie Brock Nelson for his 10th.

Following a bad pinch by Kevin Klein, the Islanders applied offensive pressure. Just when they were about to get out of trouble, a sloppy turnover caught our D disjointed. A late recovering Klein forgot about Nelson, who made no mistake set up from Matt Donovan and Clutterbuck. Clutterbuck really made the play with his hustle. He made a pass while being checked to the ice which resulted in his team taking the lead. Nelson’s goal came at 18:33 of the second. The way the Rangers were playing along with how impressive Nabokov looked in his return from injury, who knew if they’d even score? Prior to the goal, they had put together a few shifts where they tested Nabokov with the best attempt coming from Rick Nash. A ridiculous spin o rama backhand which Nabokov padded away.

On a night where the top line didn’t come through, it was the Rangers’ secondary scorers who were big factors. Following Nelson’s tally, Alain Vigneault went to the cohesive third line of Derick Brassard, Mats Zuccarello and Benoit Pouliot. Whenever they’ve needed a spark at even strength, that trio has delivered. Everyone knows how good Zuccarello has been but since Vigneault put him with Brassard and Pouliot, they’ve been instrumental. So, it wasn’t a shock that they were in on an odd tying tally. Off a relentless cycle, Brassard got to a rebound and pushed the puck to Pouliot who buried it. For a brief moment, it looked like Nabokov had it. But it was free and Pouliot notched his ninth from Brassard and Zuccarello at 19:13. The Islanders led for a whole 30 seconds. A microcosm of their season.

Tied up after two in large part due to Lundqvist (24 of 25 stops), all they had to do was win one period. The Islanders were better for a majority. Unable to take advantage of their opportunities, it came back to haunt them. Maybe all the old Yankee ghosts from the old Stadium were on the Rangers’ side. They might’ve been the road team in the series, but it didn’t show in the results. If there was an irony of sorts, it had to be when Dan Carcillo put our side ahead. Against the Flyers in 2012, it was Mike Rupp scoring twice. Now Carcillo. Acquired from LA for basically a song, the antagonist has been nothing short of a godsend. I can’t believe I just typed that. Since coming over from Hollywood, he’s provided that missing toughness ingredient and contributed. The fourth line with him, Dominic Moore and Brian Boyle are cohesive and actually have added exactly what Vigneault was searching for.

Throughout, Marc Staal was our best defenseman making several smart reads in his own zone. His defensive work along with a big Boyle hit led to a four on two rush. Carcillo worked a give and go with Moore resulting in a low shot caroming off a screened Nabokov right to Carcillo, who steered it home for his third at 4:36. It was a simple play that started in their end. Good team defense and transition resulted in the fourth line combining for the game-winner. Staal jumped up to make it four on two which served as a distraction in front.

After falling behind, the Islanders didn’t get many chances to tie it. They were outshot 14-6. It mostly had to do with disciplined defensive hockey from the Rangers, who for the most part kept their dangerous Bronx host to the outside. Jack Capuano pulled Nabokov for an extra attacker with over a minute remaining. Following a Derek Stepan icing with 18 seconds left, the Islanders came close. Okposo missed one chance but Tavares carried the puck behind the net and centered again for a wide open Okposo, who couldn’t bury it. Instead, he sent it wide. The whistle blew for a Boyle minor penalty with 2.8 seconds left. One last faceoff. The Rangers won it back and ran out the clock to prevail. Cool fireworks were set off and the two bitter rivals met at center ice and shook hands. A nice lasting image.

If there was a favorite player, it would be Nabokov. Why would I select an Islander? Because not only was he really strong but wore the cool hat over his helmet for the duration. When asked about it by Stan Fischler afterwards, he said “I love the hat. I’ll get you one.” I also liked his answer about losing the game. He pointed out that it was nice to play in but that tomorrow the sun will be up and it’s time for his team to get back to work. In an amusing way, it kind of reminded me of Ilya Bryzgalov without the universe. It must be a Russian goalie thing.

STADIUM NOTES: Despite being held without a goal, Nash led the Rangers with five shots and missed another three. Linemate Chris Kreider was also good on the cycle registering three shots. For the Islanders, Vanek was dangerous also taking five shots and missing three. He was denied twice by Lundqvist. … Rangers blocked 17 shots with Dan Girardi pacing them with four. Staal had three. Ryan Callahan made a sliding block. In his second game back from a concussion, Lubomir Visnovsky led the Isles with four blocks. Donovan blocked two. … Islanders won the faceoff battle 34-27 with Tavares strong going 13 for 20. It mostly came against Stepan, who struggled losing 18 of 26. The Rangers’ best was the fourth line combo of Boyle (4 for 5) and Moore (4 for 7). … Both teams missed the net quite a bit. The Islanders missed it 17 times while the Blueshirts had 11 misses. With it being on choppy ice, there were giveaways. The Rangers had 11 and the Islanders 10.

BONY 3 STARS:

3rd Star-Marc Staal, NYR (3 blocked shots, hit in 29 shifts-20:01-stellar defensively)

2nd Star-Evgeni Nabokov, NYI (32 saves incl. 26/28 in last 2 periods-huge upgrade)

1st Star-Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (30 saves incl. 14/15 in busy 2nd-best player)