Lighthouse Hockey - Battle of New York: Rangers win first meeting in Thomas Vanek's Islanders debutLighthouse Hockey: Try to fixate on something else.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50729/lhh-fav.png2013-10-30T07:30:06-04:00http://www.lighthousehockey.com/rss/stream/48098212013-10-30T07:30:06-04:002013-10-30T07:30:06-04:00[Bits] Isles-Smurfs reactions; awful kick rule
<figure>
<img alt=""Hey, smell my finger."" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4unXKa7xs4iMFDXFBOXwkVAFdW8=/38x0:3960x2615/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22025543/186252250.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>"Hey, smell my finger." | Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Let's relive last night some more, eh?</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a> are tied for second place in the Metropolitan Division with 4-5-3 records. Heavens, the Isles better take advantage of how putrid this division has been before the opportunity's passed them by.</p>
<p>Last night was one such opportunity, but<a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5044686/new-york-rangers-vs-islanders-thomas-vanek-debut-loss"> the Isles fell short i</a>n a Metro tilt for the second consecutive game. More on that one:</p>
<ul>
<li>Newsday's<a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/benoit-pouliot-s-goal-gives-rangers-win-over-islanders-1.6343566"> Rangers angle has Ryan McDonagh</a>: "This is a very intense building all the time when we play this team. It's an easy game to get up for, a game that obviously is a battle to the very end."</li>
<li>Newsday's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/thomas-vanek-needs-some-time-to-get-cohesive-with-john-tavares-kyle-okposo-1.6343626">Isles angle with Thomas Vanek</a>: "The atmosphere was great -- I haven't been in a game like that for a long time," said Vanek, who played 19:49. "Our line was OK. We're still trying to feel our way a little bit."</li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://nypost.com/2013/10/29/rangers-ice-islanders-in-frantic-finish/">In the Post, John Tavares </a>disagrees with the panicky Internet: "I don’t think too much went wrong. Just a couple mistakes, and when we got our chances, we didn’t finish enough. Not a lot of difference, but that’s what these games are like."</li>
<li>Uh oh, <span>Thomas Hickey</span> too! [<a target="_blank" href="http://islanderspointblank.com/islanders/rangers-3-islanders-2/">IPB</a>]: "We had some great goaltending. They made some big saves. A bounce here or there, we get the win, but it’s not going to be easy to start getting those bounces."</li>
<li>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/30/sports/hockey/rangers-get-just-enough-rebounding-to-beat-isles.html?ref=sports">Times quotes Jack Capuano</a>: "We’re not poised enough with the puck," Capuano said. "We’re making the same mistakes too often." </li>
<li> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/hockey/rangers/late-goal-pouliot-rangers-3-2-edge-isles-article-1.1500864">Daily News:</a> It marked the second time in three games that the Blueshirts overcame a 2-1 deficit after two periods. (The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.wingingitinmotown.com/">Red Wings</a> were the previous victim, though Twitter tells me good teams never let this happen.)<br>
</li>
<li>On the Metro: <a href="http://www.inlouwetrust.com/2013/10/29/5041436/so-exactly-how-bad-is-the-metropolitan-division-right-now" target="_blank">So Exactly How Bad Is the Metropolitan Division Right Now? - In Lou We Trust</a> </li>
<li>Really fun read of a Leafs fan's <a href="http://mylittleleafspace.wordpress.com/2013/10/23/the-power-of-memory-dave-bidinis-keon-and-me/" target="_blank">memory of the '82 Stanley Cup final</a>.</li>
<li>Hey, did you hear the Vanek deal was a statement? [<a href="http://www.northjersey.com/sports/229650271_Andrew_Gross__Islanders_put_Devils__Rangers_on_notice.html" target="_blank">Gross</a>]</li>
<li>Bridgeport's problems are sometimes similar to the parent club, but not this one: Their <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ctpost.com/sports/article/Sound-Tigers-have-to-solve-special-teams-woes-4937139.php">special teams have been awful</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p>I can't believe we forgot to post this 30 Rock "trade Moulson" bit amid all the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/27/5036910/thomas-vanek-trade-matt-moulson-buffalo-sabres-new-york-islanders">Moulson trade coverage</a>. A helpful reader gave us the necessary kick:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5aDwpI6QAC0" frameborder="0" height="315" width="420"></iframe> <br id="1383109502795"></p>
<h5>Elsewhere</h5>
<ul>
<li> <a href="http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=6394" target="_blank">On outshooting</a>: "For a long time, outshooting the opposition was a pretty good indicator that you’d end up winning the game. For the past few real seasons, it hasn’t been."</li>
<li>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a> will <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=689041&navid=nhl:topheads">miss Mark Giordano for 6-8 weeks</a>. Yikes.</li>
<li>The Isles' next opponent,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2013020180&navid=sb:recap"> Ottawa lost a wild one, 6-5</a>, to Chicago last night.<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Finally, <a href="http://nypost.com/2013/10/29/nhl-clarifies-kick-rule-that-keeps-costing-rangers/" target="_blank">this is amazingly convoluted and bad</a>. No wonder the kick rule appears to be applied with no consistency whatsoever (Never forget Aucoin.):</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The criteria are provided by Murphy are as follow: "1. Was there a distinct kicking motion? 2. Did the distinct kicking motion propel the puck into the net? 3. What direction was the skate/ player facing? 4. Did the puck have enough inertia/ force to go into the net on its own and the skate just changed the direction of the puck? 5. Did the skate just change the direction of the puck?"</p>
<p>Regarding the call on Miller, who had the puck carom in off his skate as he attempted to get his stick on a rebound while driving to the net with speed from the left side, Murphy wrote: "Miller’s review was: distinct kicking motion, propelled the puck, skate was facing the net, the puck had no inertia in the direction of the net; the skate provide the inertia."</p>
<p>Regarding the call on Galchenyuk, who was also driving to the net but appeared to slow down/stop in attempting to handle a two-on-one pass, Murphy wrote: "We felt the puck hit his skate and went in the net. There was no distinct kicking motion, the puck had force/inertia of its own, Galchenyuk was attempting to control the pass." Murphy also added the league sends difficult reviews to a group of eight or nine GM’s, "to get their feedback to be sure we are clear in the direction they are giving us."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Yeah, okay.</p>
<h4>More from Lighthouse Hockey:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5044686/new-york-rangers-vs-islanders-thomas-vanek-debut-loss?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Battle of New York Recap: Rangers 3, Islanders 2; Power play swing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5043524/battle-of-new-york-islanders-vs-rangers-thomas-vanek-debuts?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Battle of New York: Islanders vs. Rangers, Thomas Vanek Debuts</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5043152/thomas-vanek-trade-salary-buffalo-sabres-toronto-maple-leafs?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek Trade Reports: Sabres retained salary in offers to Islanders, Maple Leafs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5040984/10-29-13-bits-unleash-the-vanek-moulson-trade-griffin-reinhart-gets-pedicure?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">[Gameday Bits] Unleash the Vanek! Plus Other, Non-Vanek News.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/28/5039192/thomas-vanek-matt-moulson-trade-player-reactions?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek - Matt Moulson Trade: Players react at morning skates</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/30/5045540/islanders-news-battle-of-new-york-reactionsDominik2013-10-30T04:00:04-04:002013-10-30T04:00:04-04:00Post-Game Video: Capuano laments same D mistakes
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<img alt=""It's the same mistakes with our D."" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/jwiuxJAjQBdsmUKELDcXMR3fEcA=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22028087/20131017_ter_ae5_118.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>"It's the same mistakes with our D." | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>A close loss marked by two power play goals against and one fatal mistake.</p> <p>After Tuesday night's loss at home to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a>, Jack Capuano sounded particularly frustrated in the post-game. The frustration sounded not so much about the overall effort but by the defense in particular, even with a off-hand mention of the potential to recall someone else from Bridgeport.</p>
<p>If you heard about or read sound bites and quotes, the full<a href="http://video.islanders.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=472149"> video via IslesTV</a> is embedded above. (I often find seeing the visual context is a little more informative.) Among the themes and responses:</p>
<p>On the overall effort:</p>
<blockquote><p>"I thought we played decent, but again it's the same mistakes with our D. Not poised enough with the puck, I think we turned it over too many times back there. Fell asleep on the too many men on the ice -- the refs explained, I didn't realize one of our D jumped up."</p></blockquote>
<p>On the goals against:</p>
<blockquote><p>"They're not defensive breakdowns. … We gave up one goal five-on-five goal against. ... We gave up two penalty kills, and our defense read a three-on-three rush totally off the charts, which we just went over all week long. So our D have to play better, that's the bottom line tonight. We have to win more wall battles as our forwards, but our defense has to find a way to play better."</p></blockquote>
<p>On what else can be done there if they are repeating the same mistakes:</p>
<blockquote><p>"Think about recalling a guy and putting him in the lineup, I don't know. The same mistakes can't happen. We only got six of 'em back there."</p></blockquote>
<p>On what he thought of <span>Thomas Vanek</span> in his debut:</p>
<blockquote><p>He played hard. It's going to take time obviously, on the power play, for him to get adjusted.</p></blockquote>
<p>The threat of recalling someone from Bridgeport was in response to a question and was possibly just part of post-game frustration, exasperation even, but we'll see what comes in the days and weeks ahead. Mistakes are part of every game, but they stand out more on the blueline with <span>Lubomir Visnovsky</span> remaining out of the lineup due to a concussion.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> finished October under .500 and having made a jarring trade that cost them a popular and productive winger. They open their November schedule this weekend with back-to-back games, Friday night in Ottawa and Saturday night at home to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a>.</p>
<h4>More from Lighthouse Hockey:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5044686/new-york-rangers-vs-islanders-thomas-vanek-debut-loss?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Battle of New York Recap: Rangers 3, Islanders 2; Power play swing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/28/5039192/thomas-vanek-matt-moulson-trade-player-reactions?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek - Matt Moulson Trade: Players react at morning skates</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5043152/thomas-vanek-trade-salary-buffalo-sabres-toronto-maple-leafs?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek Trade Reports: Sabres retained salary in offers to Islanders, Maple Leafs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/27/5036582/no-pizza-for-spicoli-goodbye-to-matt-moulson-thomas-vanek-trade-buffalo-sabres?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">No Pizza For Spicoli: Saying Goodbye to Matt Moulson</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5040984/10-29-13-bits-unleash-the-vanek-moulson-trade-griffin-reinhart-gets-pedicure?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">[Gameday Bits] Unleash the Vanek! Plus Other, Non-Vanek News.</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/30/5045772/jack-capuano-new-york-islanders-vs-rangers-post-game-mistakesDominik2013-10-29T21:54:47-04:002013-10-29T21:54:47-04:00Recap: Power plays key as Isles lose Battle of NY
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<img alt="Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/owK1NMjCn5GMOaWi3l_HWHGiAIA=/0x16:4000x2683/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22023351/186248025.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Oh Wilson, punch you in the eye. | Bruce Bennett</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Islanders misfired on their power plays, the Rangers converted theirs, and a late mistake enabled the Rangers to skate out of Coliseum with a big win.</p> <p>The first episode of the 2013-14 Battle of New York brought all the expected intensity and a close game with multiple lead changes, but contrasting fortunes on the power play and a late mistake left the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> as the loser, 3-2, in the only game of this season's series to be played at Nassau Coliseum.</p>
<p>Wearing number 26, <span>Thomas Vanek</span> was an interesting addition to the top line. He showed his strength around the puck and on the boards, but he clearly has some work to do with <span>John Tavares</span> and <span>Kyle Okposo</span> to figure out how they can work as the Islanders hope.</p>
<p>The teams traded leads throughout the game, with the second-ranked Islanders power play failing and the 20th-ranked <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">Rangers</a> power play cashing in twice. The Rangers scored the winner with under seven minutes left in regulation after <span>Radek Martinek</span> completely whiffed on a check of Benoit Pouliot, leaving Martinek covering no one and Poulliot open for an uncontested shot from the low slot.</p>
<p><span>Evgeni Nabokov</span> had made some excellent saves in the first two periods, but he couldn't bail out his team on Pouliot's winner after the coverage mix-up left him out to dry. Can't blame him for any of the goals, but with 24 shots against you still hope he can pull a few more game savers off to keep it below three goals against.</p>
<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/GS0200176.HTM">Game Sum</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/ES020176.HTM">Event Sum</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.extraskater.com/game/2013-10-29-rangers-islanders#team-stats">Corsi (fancy stats)</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://shiftchart.com/">Shift Charts</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/PL020176.HTM">PBP</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/TV020176.HTM">TOI</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20132014/FC020176.HTM">Faceoffs</a> | Recaps: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2013020176&navid=nhl:topheads">NHL</a> | <a target="_blank" href="http://islanders.nhl.com/gamecenter/en/recap?id=2013020176&navid=DL%7CNYI%7Chome">Isles</a> |</p>
<h5>Game Highlights</h5>
<h5></h5>
<p align="center"><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020176-X-h" frameborder="0" height="395" width="640"></iframe> <br id="1381037524425"></p>
<h5>First Period: First Blood</h5>
<h5></h5>
<p>The Islanders had the better of play during the first period but gave up the most dangerous chances, asking Evgeni Nabokov to make key point-blank saves on two or three of the Rangers' four shots in the period. The one that went in was another point-blank chance, Andrew MacDonald regrettably tipping <span>Brad Richards</span>' point shot and changing its direction on Nabokov, leading to a fat and easy rebound for <span>Chris Kreider</span>.</p>
<p>The Isles controlled more of the play and outshot the Rangers 9-4, but their chances were less threatening. Thomas Vanek may have been closest on a rebound backhand attempt that <span>Cam Talbot</span> had to move well to block. <span>Josh Bailey</span> also continued to use his creativity to drive the net with the puck.</p>
<h5>Second Period: Reversal</h5>
<p>The second period opened the opposite way: Kyle Okposo took his second minor penalty of the game early on, and the Rangers power play had the Isles hemmed in for nearly the entire two minutes. Good fortune and Nabby kept the lead from reaching 2-0, despite several clearing attempts that failed to pass the blueline.</p>
<p>Then, against the run of play and despite the Rangers' control, the Islanders equalized on a newcomer's first goal. Not Vanek, but <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span> was the one to get his first goal as an Islander when he took advantage of Marc Staal's misplay at the Islanders blueline and led a two-on-one with <span>Michael Grabner</span>. Clutterbuck briefly faked pass and then simply sniped the shot over Talbot's shoulder. <span>Matt Carkner</span> was credited with an assist on the play, which is funny when you consider how absolutely little he had to do with the goal.</p>
<p>Clutterbuck's goal leveled the score at 1-1 and seemed to level play too. Next up was a <span>Matt Martin</span> fight with <span>Derek Dorsett</span> that produced no highlight punches but was probably a decision for Martin. (Dorsett is generally an disliked chirping fellow.)</p>
<p>The Isles then took the lead with the oddest of goals. <span>Travis Hamonic</span> took the carom of <span>Andrew MacDonald's</span> shot off the end boards and put it toward net, watching it deflect off Dan Girardi's glove and <strike>flutter off <span>Peter Regin</span></strike> [<i>note: 16 hours later, they've finally changed the scoring on this. It's Hamonic's goal.</i>] and over the line.</p>
<h5>Third Period: Reverse the Reversal<br>
</h5>
<p>The third period brought yet another lead change. The Islanders had a bad change causing a too many men on the ice penalty, and the Rangers tied it on Ryan McDonagh's goal. The Isles created multiple chances and looked to find the winner before things turned dramatically on Pouliot's goal.</p>
<h5>Notes of This & That</h5>
<ul>
<li>So Butch Goring really cares about faceoffs. The Islanders were losing a lot tonight. Butch mentioned it often. (Don't get me wrong, they matter. But they exist in that fleeting area of life where you'd prefer to win them but know you will lose your share, and you never know which loss will be a costly one. </li>
<li>Jack Capuano was livid in a way we rarely see on the bench after the too many men on the ice call in the third period. As the TV replay showed, he didn't have a case to argue the call -- unless he was arguing that the linesmen had missed two Rangers too many men infractions earlier in the game.</li>
<li>Soon after that penalty produced the Rangers tying goal, Michael Grabner was hooked as he split the defense, with no call. The temperature behind the Islanders bench had to be elevating.</li>
<li>The Rangers lost Dominic [sic] Moore early on to an "upper body injury." That's a factor. Considering all the players the Rangers were missing to injury, they should be better than their first 11 games showed.</li>
<li>Of course, the Islanders continue to show how much they miss Lubomir Visnovsky. Generally a good game from them, but things are just a little less calm and organized without him.</li>
<li>On that note, <span>Matt Donovan</span> was really good tonight. His puck movement and patience created several chances and near-chances.</li>
<li>Radek Martinek, who was having a decent game (some nice classic Martinek plays, some mistakes), inexcusably passed up one golden scoring chance to attempt a pass instead. The pass didn't connect, and a shot never resulted. His game went from decent to unforgivable when he completely missed the check on Benoit Poulliot's winning goal.<br>
</li>
<li>The Islanders previously hot power play floundered again, and that may have been the difference in the game: They misfired on three attempts yielding only two shots on goal, while the Rangers converted on two of theirs. Overall shots for the game were 24-24, a fair reflection of how things went.</li>
<li>The game closed with some silliness involving Dorsett, Clutterbuck, Brad Richards an dothers scrumming at the final whistle, but nothing of significance. Two teams finishing a battle and ironing out grudges.</li>
</ul>
<p>Next up, the Islanders will try to bounce back in Ottawa against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Senators</a> Friday night.</p>
<h4>More from Lighthouse Hockey:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5043152/thomas-vanek-trade-salary-buffalo-sabres-toronto-maple-leafs?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek Trade Reports: Sabres retained salary in offers to Islanders, Maple Leafs</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5040984/10-29-13-bits-unleash-the-vanek-moulson-trade-griffin-reinhart-gets-pedicure?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">[Gameday Bits] Unleash the Vanek! Plus Other, Non-Vanek News.</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/28/5039192/thomas-vanek-matt-moulson-trade-player-reactions?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek - Matt Moulson Trade: Players react at morning skates</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/28/5038294/thomas-vanek-trade-garth-snow-quotes-matt-moulson?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek Trade: Garth Snow speaks on big Islanders move</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/28/5037276/thomas-vanek-trade-matt-moulson-reaction-betrayal?utm_source=lighthousehockey&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Thomas Vanek Trade: Matt Moulson sounds dumped, because he kind of was</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5044686/new-york-rangers-vs-islanders-thomas-vanek-debut-lossDominik2013-10-29T16:34:51-04:002013-10-29T16:34:51-04:00Batte of New York: Vanek arrives for Chapter 1
<figure>
<img alt="Who can think of rivalrous blood and hatred in front of a cute face like that?" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KEet640psCogCqWlDCGbAAXgVjI=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/22004023/20130413_ajl_aw8_073.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Who can think of rivalrous blood and hatred in front of a cute face like that? | Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>No storylines for this one, nope.</p> <p>Last game, the New York Islanders hosted the offensively struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Philadelphia Flyers</a>, who welcomed <span>Scott Hartnell</span> and <span>Vincent Lecavalier</span> back to the lineup and promptly scored three (four, and five!) goals in a game for the first time all season.</p>
<p>Tonight the Islanders host the offensively struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">New York Rangers</a>, who welcome <span>Carl Hagelin</span> back to the lineup and have yet to score more than three goals in a game all season.</p>
<p>Cue your doomsday scenario here.</p>
<p class="pgh-paragraph" id="paragraph4" align="center"><a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/803253/NYI-Yslim.jpg" target="_blank"><img style="height: 45px;" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/803253/NYI-Yslim_medium.jpg" alt="Nyi-yslim_medium" height="45" width="107"></a> <img style="height: 45px;" class="photo" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/585934/NYR-slim_medium.jpg" alt="Nyr-slim_medium" height="45" width="104"><br><b><a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Islanders</a> (</b>4-4-3<b>) vs. Smurfs (3-7-0)<br>7 p.m. EST | MSG/+</b><b> | Audio: </b><b>- </b><b><a href="http://www.hofstra.edu/Academics/Colleges/SOC/WRHU/wrhu_listen.html" target="_blank">WRHU/WRCN</a><br>Nassau [</b>gloriously unsponsored<b>] Veterans Mem. Coliseum</b><b><br>Totally missed out on Vanek:</b> <a href="http://www.blueshirtbanter.com/">Blueshirt Banter</a></p>
<p>This is the first of five meetings in the Battle of New York this season, but it is annoyingly the only one at Nassau Coliseum. (The new alignment and schedule means five games against Metropolitan rivals, and the outdoor game this year is technically an Isles home game.) Hopefully that novelty infuses the usual rivalry life into what would otherwise be a quiet Tuesday night in Uniondale.</p>
<p>It is not through oversight nor fatigue but through desperation that we reach the fifth paragraph of this preview before we mention Thomas Vanek. Vanek slots in, with his righthanded stick, where the left-shooting <span>Matt Moulson</span> once skated. He should bring excitement, goals and #26 confusion.</p>
<p>The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/27/5036910/thomas-vanek-trade-matt-moulson-buffalo-sabres-new-york-islanders">grand experiment for which GM Garth Snow has risked two draft picks</a> and goodwill is whether Vanek makes that top line better. If he does, we'll rethink some of our assumptions about how stylistically different parts add up to make a whole. If he doesn't, we'll conclude that Vanek and Moulson were similar enough in ultimate outcome (goals) to make the trade unnecessary.</p>
<p>One thing the Islanders do add in the deal is a right-handed shot, something not so important for one line's balance but something that is useful in power play tactics. <span>P.A. Parenteau</span> and <span>Brad Boyes</span> previously filled that role and were signed in part for that specific purpose. A successful power play requires the flexibility to offer a few different looks, and one of those looks is best served by having a potential trigger in either circle.</p>
<p>But the talk isn't really of the power play, which still ranks 2nd in production at 27.8 percent (including five power play goals from the departed Moulson). Vanek is first <a target="_blank" href="http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=688971">focused on his new line</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"It's going to take time obviously to build chemistry. But watching those two guys over the years - Playing against Johnny and watching him, he's a special player, and I've known Kyle for a while. It's an opportunity that I really look forward to."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>So, here we go. Fittingly, the Vanek era -- with its genesis in a Rangers-like trade -- begins against the city rivals. Will we still be living it in 2018?</p>
<h5>Capuano on the Defense</h5>
<p>Of course the big trade swapped a strength for a strength. The weaknesses are in the back. Jack Capuano sounds like he sees this, but also <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=22012">sees room for improvement within</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"We just collectively back there have to play better. Guys are giving us what they have, [but] we're making mistakes that they see, they know and I've got the confidence in them that it's going to get better. But for us to be successful, we have to have better decisions with the puck on our stick. Our gaps have got to be better, our sticks have got to be better, we've got to defend harder. We've gone through this. I have the confidence they're going to rebound."</p>
</blockquote>
<h5>Lineup Notes</h5>
<p>The Islanders are dressing <span>Brock Nelson</span>, theoretically on the fourth line, as <span>Eric Boulton</span> sits and regular fourth-liner <span>Colin McDonald</span> is still working through that hip issue. On that note, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/StapeNewsday/status/395193324832702465">Arthur Staple reports</a> the still-injured <span>Brian Strait</span> had been dealing with his own injury for a while, theoretically excusing some poor performances.</p>
<p>The Rangers had their home opener last night and were shut out by Montreal. Henrik Lundqvist played in that one, so <span>Cam Talbot</span> will face the Islanders tonight. <span>Rick Nash</span> is still out with a concussion that has yet to show signs of significant improvement. Hagelin, if he's truly healthy, represents a dangerous addition to their squad.</p>
<p>On the subject of the Rangers playing back-to-back, <a target="_blank" href="http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=688971">Kyle Okposo pledged</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>[The Rangers] played last night, so we want to jump on them right away."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>It always sounds plausible on paper.</p>
<h5>FIG Picks</h5>
<p>Leave your <a target="_blank" href="http://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/28/5040846/fig-picks-oct-28-rangers-in-vaneks-debut">First Islanders Goal picks here</a>. If you pick Vanek and he doesn't score, then you have ruined this trade.</p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2013/10/29/5043524/battle-of-new-york-islanders-vs-rangers-thomas-vanek-debutsDominik