Luca Sbisa knows all about heated rivalries.
The Islanders defenseman played for HC Lugano in the Swiss-A League during the NHL owner’s lockout in 2012-13 and for that team’s games against rival HC Ambri-Piotta, Sbisa said armed guards in combat gear were needed to patrol the arena and the teams’ fans were separated by fences.
So Sbisa, who played last season for the expansion Golden Knights and has also played for the Canucks, Ducks and Flyers, is looking forward to his first experience in the New York rivalry when the Islanders meet the Rangers at Barclays Center on Thursday night.