After Thursday night’s defeat all but ended the Rangers’ playoff hopes, the team will use the last five games if the 2020-21 campaign to look ahead to next season. Brett Howden and Ryan Lindgren suffered injuries last game, and Howden has already been confirmed to be out for the remainder of the season. With five games left in yet another disappointing season without playoff hockey, David Quinn’s squad will be playing out the string over the final week of the season.
The Islanders have already secured a victory in the season series, having already earned ten standings points and a 5-2-0 record compared to the five standings points and 2-4-1 record the Blueshirts have against them.