Battle Of NY Preview: Tavares gets first taste of rivalry

October 28, 2009   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

Later tonight, the rivalry will be renewed when the Rangers and Islanders do battle at Nassau Coliseum. One of the greatest rivalries in all of sports. No matter who wears the jerseys, it’s always intense between Manhattan and Long Island for the Battle of NY.

The first of six head-to-head meetings takes place off the Meadowbrook with faceoff 7:08 on MSG-+ and MSG2. While it’ll be easy for Islander fans to find Howie Rose and Billy Jaffe, Ranger supporters will need a map to figure out where Sam Rosen and Joe Micheletti are. Here’s a helpful link courtesy of MSG.com that should make life a little easier.

Being introduced to the rivalry is Islander top pick John Tavares, who’ll meet former OHL (Oshawa/London) junior teammate Michael Del Zotto. Both are chief Calder candidates in a strong rookie class that includes Avs’ center duo Ryan O’Reilly and Matt Duchene. A couple of other promising freshmen square off in another Battle between Jersey and Buffalo when Nicklas Bergfors meets Tyler Myers. Indeed, the rookie subplot for each game is a unique storyline.

The Rangers also boast two other first-year players in Artem Anisimov and Matt Gilroy, giving them three rooks who are part of an 8-3-1 start. A nice development for an organization that always invests in vets with the trio of Marian Gaborik, Vinny Prospal and Ales Kotalik blending well. Most notably, The Big Ticket has been everything expected, notching 10 goals and eight helpers for 18 points, which ranks third in league scoring. However, the new Ranger No.10 won’t be in the lineup versus the Isles, nursing a banged up knee in a 5-2 home win over Phoenix the other night. Hartford recall Pierre Parenteau takes his place. How long he’ll be out remains to be seen.

It’s an opportunity for teammates to step to the forefront, including struggling Chris Drury and Christopher Higgins. Higgins is a Smithtown native. So, he should feel right at home. He’s had some good games against the Islanders in the past. Here’s a chance to show what he can do. The Rangers will also need more from Ryan Callahan, who always makes his presence felt as his league-leading 52 hits attest. But the future team captain can do better than just two goals. Ditto Sean Avery, who despite six points in eight games has been very quiet. Is he holding back under Tort? This is the kinda environment he likes.

For the Islanders, it’s how Tavares performs which will be the biggest story. He’s been good thus far, posting three goals and four helpers for seven points, which is tied for second on the club with linemate Kyle Okposo and sixth in rookie scoring. That includes former ‘mate Del Zotto, who’s impressed so much as a teenager that his cool dozen (4-8-12) not only pace freshmen but places him in a tie for first among all blueliners. Eight of those have come on the much improved Ranger power play which enters sixth best clicking at 27.4 percent. None of which surprises Tavares, who comes in without a point in his last four. Is tonight the night that ends?

JT91 has excellent chemistry with the club’s biggest surprise, Matt Moulson who paces the club in goals (5), points (9) and SOG (38). Indeed, the 25 year-old who impressed all preseason has followed it up by matching career highs set with LA in 2007-08. Oh btw…he played just 22 games while getting into another seven last season of which he netted a goal. Garth Snow deserves plenty of credit for signing him.

Sometimes, you luck out. Let’s just say Moulson Canadian has been splendid, outworking opponents in the corners while scoring garbage goals in front. He kinda reminds us of Adam Graves, who became a God here after some okay years with Edmonton. The compensation was Troy Mallette. Yikes. We’re not saying Moulson is Gravy but he has shown that he’s capable of a lot more than either Pitt or LA ever envisioned. That’s why he’s playing top line with Tavares and Okposo while getting PP first unit as well. Even more, he and Tavvy are friends off the ice. So, this has to be a dream come true for him.

The Islanders will be looking for more from Okposo, who despite a team best six helpers has only lit the lamp once. That can’t continue if they’re to finally win in regulation. We’re certain Isle fans are tired of seeing the team fall short in OT or the shootout, which has them with the odd 1-4-5 mark, including 1-2-2 at home. Just about every one has had the common theme of seeing Scott Gordon’s rebuilding club blow a third period lead. What happens if they are up again? We’ll see.

Gordon needs more from Mark Streit, who’s off to a sluggish start with only four points and a minus-six rating. The anchor of a weak D, his play has suffered. What makes it startling is how good he was in Year 1. Maybe it’s just a case of trying to do too much. Who has performed? Andy Sutton has even posting two goals and two helpers. Not bad from the big rugged guy.

The Isles also need better from Josh Bailey, who’s disappointed with three points. He did register an assist in an OT defeat at Montreal. Hopefully, that’s a good sign. Sean Bergenheim has just one assist so far as does Richard Park. Two players the club must get more from. Frans Nielsen’s looked decent since returning. The club gets back vet captain Doug Weight, who’ll replace Blake Comeau. The crafty pivot certainly can aid their PP.

In net for the home guys is Dwayne Roloson, who’ll need to be strong if he wants to give them a chance against counterpart Henrik Lundqvist, who’s fine following a minor fender bender yesterday.

Still, all eyes will be on Tavares. We expect him to score. Can he live up to it? It’s Rangers-Islanders in less than five hours!

Game: NYR-NYI

Air: 7 ET

TV: MSG-+/MSG2