Quick Notes: Rangers vs Islanders – Final Meeting of the Season

• The Rangers and Islanders are set to meet for the final time this season. The visiting team has won all three matchups
• The Blueshirts have been defeated by the Islanders in the last two meetings including the previous game in convincing fashion
• A win against the Islanders on Thursday night would even up the season series and give the Rangers confidence against their first-round opponent
• Head Coach Gerard Gallant told the media that he expects Kaapo Kakko to be back from injury and play before the postseason begins
• Alex Georgiev will get the start in the net for the Rangers. He is coming off a shutout against the Flyers. The Blueshirts have three consecutive shutouts
• Rangers have allowed just six goals in the past seven games
• The Blueshirts penalty kill hasn’t allowed a goal in the past nine games
• Rangers have scored at least three goals in the past eight games
• Semyon Varlamov will start for the Islanders. Varlamov recorded a 27-save shutout against the Rangers in the last meeting
• If Adam Fox records one point, he will become the fourth Rangers skater to record 70 points on the season. Thursday night will be Fox’s 200th career NHL game
• The Islanders have lost three of their last four games including an overtime defeat to the Panthers on Tuesday
• Cal Clutterbuck and Scott Mayfield are each expected to be out for the remainder of the season for the Islanders
• The Rangers are trying to build momentum for the playoffs while also trying to make sure they can remain healthy. Avoiding injuries at this point in the season is crucial
• Expect a very similar if not the exact same lineup as the Rangers had against the Jets

Projected Lineup

Kreider-Zibanejad-Vatrano

Panarin-Strome-Copp

Lafreniere-Chytil-Goodrow

Hunt-Rooney-Reaves

Lindgren-Fox

Miller-Trouba

Nemeth-Schneider

Georgiev