Henrik Lundqvist is all alone as the Islanders score in their latest win.
AP Photo by Kathy Willens/Getty Images

There was another big game last night between close rivals. The Rangers and Islanders haven’t been good at the same time in decades. In 2014-15, both seem on a collision course for their first playoff series in 21 years.

Coming off a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, the Rangers were expected to contend. Following significant upgrades, the Islanders were expected to improve. Instead, they’re sitting atop the division and conference while their crosstown rivals are behind trying to climb the standings. The teams have met three times. Every game has gone to the Islanders. After sweeping the first two at MSG, they outplayed the Rangers again taking the first of three meetings at Nassau Coliseum by a score of 4-1 Tuesday night. In three games, they’ve outscored the Rangers 13-4.

”A loss is a loss. It’s disappointing,” defeated goalie Henrik Lundqvist acknowledged after making 34 saves. ”They outplayed us. They came out well and did a lot of things well. A game like this, you need something to go your way.”

For the third time, Lundqvist was left to fend for himself. Simply put, the Rangers have not proven they can handle the Islanders aggressive forecheck. For an experienced team that is capable of shutting down opponents, they look exposed against a bigger, stronger rival. Compared to the Islanders, the Rangers are small relying on team speed and skill. Against the Kings, they were unable to deal with their similar size and strength.

The Islanders are four lines deep and finish checks. They play with ferocity. A key part is their fourth line with bangers Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin creating chaos. Fittingly, Martin scored a big goal as a result of their line outworking Derek Stepan’s line. They took advantage of a match-up that had Dan Boyle and Matt Hunwick out. One that was inexplicable considering how poor the Rangers were on faceoffs. The Islanders dominated winning 38 of 62 with Casey Cizikas going 13-and-5.

Unlike past years, the Islanders aren’t just John Tavares, who scored a 5-on-3 goal late to pad the Isles’ lead to four. With the emergence of second-year forwards Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome, they didn’t miss Kyle Okposo last night. General manager Garth Snow went out and added depth bringing in Nikolay Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski, who tallied the first goal last night. Rookie Anders Lee plays on the third line. Josh Bailey and Frans Nielsen are holdovers. How deep are they? Michael Grabner isn’t even a regular.

The Islanders defense is also much improved thanks to key additions Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy. Nobody will ever put Boychuk in the Norris category but he’s had a better season than Ryan McDonagh. With two helpers, he upped his point total to 24. A steady two-way defenseman, Boychuk is in the final year of his contract and is earning $3.6 million. He’s in for some payday. He has become the leader of a blueline that features Travis Hamonic and Calvin de Haan. If they want to have staying power, the Isles must re-sign him.

It also helps that Snow acquired Jaroslav Halak significantly upgrading in goal. Halak was 10 seconds away from shutting out the Rangers in two straight. He finished with 40 saves and of course was frustrated that Carl Hagelin beat him with a rare power play goal late.

”Obviously it’s disappointing, but we got a win,” Halak told reporters. ”It’s not like it was a 1-0 game. “Hopefully next time I’ll have more luck next time in the end.”

Goaltending is no longer an issue on Long Island. Though it’ll be interesting to see how Halak performs in the postseason. Since a run to the Conference Finals with Montreal in 2010, he’s only appeared in two playoff games with St. Louis in 2012. The team in front of him helps. The Isles’ forecheck takes pressure off. When they’re attacking, they don’t have to worry about defending. The Rangers had some success the final two periods getting 31 shots on Halak. Most were from the perimeter without traffic. If they want to compete with them, they must get the jersey dirty and make life more difficult on the Islander goalie.

The biggest issue the Rangers face is their lack of identity on the bottom two lines. Alain Vigneault has mixed and matched all season but has yet to find the right combo. Rookie Kevin Hayes shows promise. The former Boston College standout has six goals and 10 assists in 42 games. He doesn’t get power play time. The problem is he can’t win faceoffs which is the club’s Achilles heel. It’s hard to convert a wing to center in their first year out of college. Dominic Moore remains their best faceoff guy and he anchors the fourth line.

The loss of Brian Boyle and Brad Richards have magnified the situation. They also lost key puck possession cog Benoit Pouliot, who’s having a resurgence now that he’s healthy with Edmonton. Along with the subtractions of gritty physical presences Daniel Carcillo and Derek Dorsett, the Rangers are no longer four lines deep. Even with Vigneault rolling all four, he can only count on his top six to perform consistently. Rick Nash has carried them and Stepan has been huge. Derick Brassard has been mostly good but still has bad games like Tuesday where he reminds you that he can’t be the top center.

Mats Zuccarello has been the most disappointing player. Asked to play a more significant role, he has failed to fulfill expectations. The popular Norwegian with the giant heart has only seven goals and 23 points so far. Playing with Nash, his production should be better. There are too many instances where he doesn’t shoot. A very heady player, Zuccarello is unselfish to a fault. Sometimes, the creativity can lead to overkill. His turnover led to the Isles’ first goal. A pass for Brassard that trapped all three forwards. In his walk year, he can’t expect a big increase in salary unless he has a good second half. Keep in mind he, Brassard and Pouliot were the third line last year exposing favorable match-ups.

The Rangers need better play from McDonagh, who’s been inconsistent. Whether it’s the shoulder or whatever, he must play like one of the game’s premier defensemen. The guy we saw last Spring has been missing. Three goals in 34 games for the 27th team captain is putrid. An appropriate term to describe his coverage on two of the Isles’ goals. He and partner Dan Girardi have had average years. They must raise their level. Only Kevin Klein and newly re-signed Marc Staal have been up to par. After a good offensive spurt out, Dan Boyle has struggled mightily. He’s showing signs of age and the pseudo sixth combo of Matt Hunwick and John Moore aren’t good enough.

Not only must Rangers architect Glen Sather get a center but also must upgrade on D. As currently constituted, it’s hard to see this team being able to beat the Islanders in a series. They have also struggled with the Bruins and Lightning. All are deeper. Depth isn’t what it was. That was expected due to the cap. They were going to lose pieces. Unfortunately, Sather’s replacements aren’t fitting in. After a good start, Lee Stempniak has been in and out of the lineup. Tanner Glass is what he is. A three-year mistake who’s destined for Hartford. If they waive him, there’s zero toughness on a vanilla roster. That’s a problem.

It isn’t about the regular season. Rather the postseason. While the Rangers boast plenty of experience, they are a flawed team that can use some upgrades. Unless Slats can plug the holes, it’s going to be a tough climb. Only this time, they have to contend with the Islanders who might just be the best team in town.