Something feels a little different about this Islander season, and it's not just because Anthony Beauvillier is on pace to record over 51 points. Rather, the new year is quickly approaching and the Islanders are yet to face an all-too-familiar foe, the New York Rangers.
Consider that over the past five seasons, the longest the Isles have had to wait to face the Rangers was December 2 in the 2015-16 season. Over this five-season span, it has taken an average of 11 games for the Isles to meet the Rangers. This season, the Islanders will not meet the Rangers until January 13, 44 games into the season.