The Islanders Rangers rivalry is one of the best in hockey. Will this battle be played out on the ice this summer?
With the NHL set to return at the end of July, there is a lot to look forward to for Islanders fans. And, if anticipation levels for the start of Stanley Cup Playoffs were not already at an all-time high, the NHL announced that the first overall selection in the upcoming NHL Draft would be determined among the losing qualifying teams, putting even more on the line during this upcoming unprecedented postseason.

Lottery or Playoff Run?

However, for Islanders fans, this should not create contentment with a qualifying round exit. The goal is not at 12.5% chance at the first overall pick. The goal is still to win the Stanley Cup. Islanders fans are far too familiar with letdown. Merely hoping that the lottery balls fall in their favor is sure to guarantee disappointment.
For the New York Islanders, July has traditionally been a time of utter disappointment. The past two first days of July can certainly attest to that. The countless others before those where the noiseless moves of the Islanders contrasted sharply with those of other franchises that were making tremendous splashes while the Islanders could not even get their toes in the pool. Nevertheless, this July, the Islanders have an opportunity to flip the script.

Summer of 2020

The New York Islanders have a once in a lifetime opportunity to change the overall morale of the organization in the summer months for generations to come. The springs of 1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983 have all been illuminated in the memory for generations of Islanders fans. So why can’t the summer of 2020 be added on the list?

The cards for this postseason certainly are lining up for the Islanders. At the start of the 2019-2020 season, when the New York Islanders were fresh and healthy, the team was virtually unbeatable. With the team’s addition at the NHL Trade Deadline, Adam Pelech, Casey Cizikas, Johnny Boychuk, back from injury, and the other players all rested up the Islanders have a good of a chance of anybody to take home the Stanley Cup.
The only obstacle standing in the Islanders’ way is they will not have the fans of Long Island behind them during these Stanley Cup Playoffs. In the past, the roaring fans at home games for the Islanders has drained the energy of their opponent while acting as an extra man on the ice for the team. It is an obstacle all of the 24 franchises will endure this postseason but will be an especially tough challenge for the Islanders to overcome.

Islanders Rangers Rivalry

As every fan knows, the New Islanders have always been seen in the shadow of their cross-town rivals, the New York Rangers. Although the Islanders have one of the greatest dynasties in sports history, that was in the 1980s, and since then, the success of the franchise has dramatically declined.
The past struggles of the Islanders, contrasted with the modern success of the Rangers, has left a bitter taste in New York Islanders’ fans’ mouths and have made continued support of the team harder. To put the Islanders’ past struggles with the Rangers’ previous success in perspective, the New York Islanders have won two playoff series’ since 1993 while the New York Rangers have won 19.

In 2014, when the Islanders finished last in their division, the Rangers were at the center stage of the NHL, playing in the Stanley Cup Final. The New York Rangers are synonymous with prominence. If the New York Rangers are a brand new Porsche, the New York Islanders are a Prius.
The Rangers play in the world’s most famous arena in the largest city in the world. The Islanders bounce back and forth between the old Nassau Coliseum and Barclays Center, renowned for its obstructed seats and for the only arena in the NHL that has a car up against the glass. If the New York Rangers are a broadway show, the New York Islanders are a high school play.
Over the last two years, the Islanders have initiated a culture cleanse in their organization and have begun trending upwards. Nonetheless, they are still behind the Rangers when it comes to who is in the face of the limelight.

The Playoffs Could Change Things

With the new unprecedented playoff format this summer, the Islanders can play the Rangers in the third round of the playoffs. Both teams would have to win a five-game series and a seven-game series to have the possibility to play each other. This third round of the playoffs would technically be a semifinals round but have a similar feeling to a Conference Final matchup.
Since both teams would have already knocked off two sides to get to that point, tensions would be high as they usually are that far into the playoffs. What distinctly makes this different than the Islanders and Rangers facing off in the semifinals under normal playoff conditions is all about the context of the situation.
As discussed earlier in the recent past, the Rangers usually triumph over the Islanders. Adding even more fuel to the fire of this situation, one year ago, during the summer, Russian star Artemi Panarin made his free agency decision, deciding on whether to sign with the Islanders or the Rangers. Although it was reported he was going to sign with the Islanders, the Russian chose the New York Islanders, once again leaving the Islanders in the Rangers’ dust.

After a 19-plus week wait, all eyes will be on the NHL Playoffs. Fans have been waiting for the return of hockey for a very long time. It may have the highest television ratings in NHL history.
With the extensive amount of people that are unfortunately facing unemployment, they will turn towards hockey for a distraction. With the amount of social unrest also plaguing this country, more people will look to sports as an escape.
The Islanders could potentially face off against the Rangers will all of North America and Europe watching. They could possibly rewrite the narrative that has been daunting their organization for the last two decades.
As Frank Sinatra famously said, “the best revenge is massive success.” If the Islanders could succeed, while also crushing every Rangers fans hopes and dreams by beating them in a best of seven game series, the team could finally prove they are no longer a laughing stock. And, no longer New York’s second team.
Furthermore, this season started with the Islanders on fire, and the Rangers struggling and ended with the Rangers on fire, and the Islanders holding on for dear life. This potential playoff series would be the tale of two very different narratives: Talent versus hard-work, a big market team versus a small market team, a top dog versus an underdog.
It would indeed be a particular series. Everyone would remember for a very long time because of the unique nature of this year’s playoffs.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.