New York Rangers Fall To New York Islanders 5-4 In Preseason Game
The Rangers fell to the Islanders last night, 5-4, at Madison Square Garden. The Islanders scored three times in the third period to win the game. The score does not really matter in the preseason, but there were four significant points of learning for the Islanders. They learned that they might have a young star in Gleb Veremyev.
They learned some more about their backup goaltending situation. They are learning that veteran Forward Kyle Palmieri may have a big season. Finally, they are learning that they may still have problems on the special teams. Do you think these lessons will manifest themselves in the fast-approaching regular season?
Islanders Defeat Rival Rangers 5-4 In Thrilling Comeback
The Islanders only played about eight players with NHL experience last night. Nevertheless, they scored a thrilling 5-4 victory. When they started the third period last night, they were losing 4-2. In doing so, they showed tremendous grit. They also learned three things that are highlighted in this article.
Here is the scoring summary of the 5-4 victory. In the first period, Veremyev scored for the Islanders. They led 1-0. Chris Terry then scored for the Islanders; they led 2-0. Then Vincent Trocheck scored for the Rangers. That cut the Islanders’ lead to 2-1. Then Brennan Othmann scored for the Rangers. The game was tied at two.Â
Then Brett Berard scored to give the Rangers a 3-2 lead. In the second period, new captain J.T. Miller scored for the blue shirts. That gave them a 4-2 lead. The Islanders mounted their third-period comeback by scoring three goals. Cameron Berg, Veremyev, and Palmieri each scored.
Gleb Veremyev
It was a night to remember for 22-year-old Forward Gleb Veremyev, who grew up in Middlesex County, NJ, just across the river from Madison Square Garden, where the Islanders played last night. In front of his friends and family, he scored two goals in the Islanders’ thrilling 5-4 preseason win.
He signed a two-year deal with the Islanders this summer out of Colorado College, where he played three seasons of NCAA hockey before joining Bridgeport late last year. He skated in 10 American Hockey League games to close out the 2023-24 campaign, showing flashes of his blend of size, energy, and scoring touch. It is very likely he will end up there again this year, despite his big game last night.
Islanders’Â Backup Goaltender
One very important thing happened in this game. The starting goaltender for the Islanders will be Ilya Sorokin, one of the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League. However, with the compressed schedule due to the Olympics, the Islanders will have 15 back-to-back games this season. They need to have a certain backup goaltender because they do not want to wear out Sorokin.
In the Islanders’ 5-4 comeback against the Rangers, the Islanders played David Rittich and Marcus Hogberg in net. Rittich and Hogberg are competing to back up Sorokin. Rittich, who was acquired in the offseason, allowed four goals last night on 20 shots. He allowed all the goals the Rangers scored. Hogberg came in and faced five shots. He did not allow a goal, and the Islanders came back in the third period. They will want to see Hogberg some more, but he has probably taken a lead in the Islanders’ backup goaltender battle.
Kyle Palmieri
Palmieri scored for the Islanders last night. It was his second goal of the preseason. The fact that Palmieri scored for the second time in three preseason games probably means that if he stays healthy, he will have a good season. Health has been a problem for the Islanders. So, hopefully, he will stay healthy and perform well. He could become a valuable trade chip.
Islanders Special Teams
One troubling trend for the Islanders is on the power play. They allowed three power play goals in their 6-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils. That is five power play goals allowed in their last two preseason games. Last season, they ranked next to last in the NHL in penalty killing. In these preseason games, the Islanders have yet to play their best goaltender, and they have spottily played their veteran players. But allowing five power play goals in the last two games is troubling.
Also, last season, the Islanders were next to last in scoring with the man advantage. They were so bad on special teams last season that they fired both their power play and penalty killing coaches. The power play goals have been few and far between for them this preseason, and they did not score with the man advantage last night.
Conclusion
This could be a long season for the Islanders, but the score of this preseason game does not matter much. They did learn some positive news about two of their new players, Ritchie and Emil Heineman. Both should play for the Islanders this season, so we will get to see them. That said, the Islanders will be right on the line to get the eighth playoff spot in the conference; they should get in the high 80s with points. It could come down to the last game for them this season.
