Pre-Game Post, Rags @ Isles 11/6/07 7:00PM

The Rangers and Islanders face-off for the second time this season tonight in Uniondale.

There is no better rivalry in hockey. At least, that is what most fans would say. These games are always a great one to watch, and a big night for the box. After defeating the Rangers 2-1 last time, the Isles look to go 2-0 in the 8 game series tonight.



ISLANDERS:

After having a fairly small amount of games in October, things will start to kick up in the schedule. The Isles have been fighting through some injuries, though. Bergy is still day-to-day, Bates is too, Sim is out for the season, Berard is out for 2-4 weeks, and now Aaron Johnson is out for 6 weeks. The most recent concern, though, is regarding the #1 goalie Rick DiPietro. Reports are that DP is going to fight off the injury, if he even has one. DP gets the call tonight, and everybody's happy. Tim Jackman gets recalled, and will see some 4th line time.


My Projected Lines:

Goaltenders
39 Rick DiPietro
34 Wade Dubielewicz

Defensemen
32 Brendan Witt - 24 Radek Martinek
25 Andy Sutton - 47 Marc-Andre Bergeron
14 Chris Campoli - 8 Bruno Gervais

Forwards
26 Ruslan Fedotenko - 89 Mike Comrie - 7 Trent Hunter
11 Andy Hilbert - 18 Mike Sillinger - 13 Bill Guerin
10 Richard Park - 63 Josef Vasicek - 81 Miroslav Satan
12 Chris Simon – 29 Ben Walter - 28 Tim Jackman


RANGERS:

There is no hotter team in the NHL right now. On a 4-game winning streak, the Rags and goalie Henrik Lundqvist have just been unstoppable. Lundqvist has only given up 2 goals in the winning streak. That is including 2 shutouts. Things can't be looking better for the team right now. But with Lundqvist desperately needing a day off, the Rangers may have a disadvantage in net with either a tired Lundqvist, or an extremely rested Valiquette.



My Projected Lines:

Goaltenders
30 Henrik Lundqvist
40 Stephen Valiquette

Defensemen
3 Michal Rozsival - 8 Marek Malik
51 Fedor Tyutin - 5 Daniel Girardi
18 Marc Staal – 27 Paul Mara

Forwards
81 Marcel Hossa - 19 Scott Gomez - 68 Jaromir Jagr
14 Brendan Shanahan - 23 Chris Drury – 10 Nigel Dawes
44 Ryan Hollweg - 17 Brandon Dubinsky - 25 Petr Prucha
28 Colton Orr - 15 Blair Betts - 34 Jason Strudwick

(6:53) UPDATE: Jagr wasn't on the ice during warmups. Great news for the Isles!

(7:11) UPDATE: Nevermind! He's playing.


Tonight is the 3rd ever Islander Zone Live Coverage Game! Can't see the game? Keep checking back to my blog to see the latest scores!


Let's Go Isles!!!