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Ranking the New York Rangers' Potential First Round Matchups, Worst to Best

The New York Rangers could end up winning the Presidents Trophy yet, they may end up with a tough round one draw

By Nicholas Rome

Apr 11, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) awaits a
Apr 11, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Artemi Panarin (10) awaits a / Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports
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4. New York Islanders

Apr 9, 2024; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) attempts a
Apr 9, 2024; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Rangers left wing Alexis Lafrenière (13) attempts a / Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports

The Islanders currently hold the third spot in the Metro making a Rangers Islanders first-round clash less likely with only two games left for the Rangers and three for the Isles. The Islanders are one of the hottest teams in hockey right now as they're on a six-game win streak going 8-2 over their last ten games.

The two franchises haven't faced off in the playoffs since 1994 after meeting every year from 1978-79 to 1983-84. The Rangers trail all-time winning three series to the Islanders' five while the Islanders lead with 20 wins to the Rangers' 19.

An Islanders Rangers postseason matchup would be an absolute war leaving either team beat up as they look to continue their postseason runs. The teams showed their physicality in this week's matchup where both Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trocheck took massive hits.

While the Rangers have Igor Shesterkin the Islanders have a world class goalie in Ilya Sorokin and a goaltender that's getting hot right before the Playoffs in Semyon Varlamov.

The Islanders have the perfect formula for postseason success with two top goaltenders, a veteran defense core, and elite scoring threats. This group has postseason experience losing in round one in 2023 and losing in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.

The Rangers likely won't want to open their playoffs with the Islanders and the same can be said on the other side. The Rangers can face a better matchup while avoiding the physicality and bad blood between the two sides.

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