Islanders & Rangers Fans Robbed with Lack of Matchups

It will be over 420 days since the two teams went head-to-head.

We thought you'd enjoy this great piece from our New York Islanders Substack contributor Anthony Russo.

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The New York Islanders for the first time this season will meet its cross-town rival New York Rangers. However, fans craving for these two teams to match up have been robbed in recent history. The last time the Rangers and Islanders played against each other was December 2022 – which will be over 420 days by the time Sunday arrives.

The Scheduling

Last year, the NHL scheduled just three meetings between the Rangers and Islanders. The big reason behind the lack of meetings is how the NHL goes about scheduling games now. While it’s baffling that it’s been so long since the two crosstown rivals have played each other, the issue may not just be exclusive to the Rangers and Islanders.

The NHL’s realignment has allowed fewer divisional games each season (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

Now divisional games are divided among eight teams compared to five before the realignment that’s been in effect since the 2013-214 season. The structure in place now allows fewer games amongst divisional opponents. Teams within the same division play each other a maximum of four times per year during an 82-game season.

There have been multiple times in the past several years where the Rangers have played the Islanders more than four times in a season. In 2011-12, the crosstown rivals played against each other six times. In 2014-15, the Islanders played the Rangers five times. And during the 2020 shortened season, due to the pandemic, they saw each other eight times.