Islanders Defeat Rangers 3-1 at Coliseum Wednesday

The hated rival New York Islanders defeated the New York Rangers 3-1 last night at the Nassau Coliseum on the Island. The Islanders came out tough from the first faceoff and continued to outplay the Blueshirts. Marian Gaborik was scratched from the lineup due to an “undisclosed lower body injury” sustained on Monday nights game against the Coyotes at the Garden. I saw him hobble off the ice and not return after being named first star of the game. The Rangers could not get anything going last night. P.A. Parenteau was brought up from Hartford and scored his first NHL goal and only one for the Rangers at 8:30 in the 1st period. He charged toward the net and backhanded the rebound into the net with Christopher Higgins screening in front. Higgins is still without a goal this season. Ryan Callahan played on the top line and registered six shots on goal. John Tortorella will keep juggling lines until he finds the right mix. The Rangers hit 4 posts and 1 crossbar but could not bury the puck. Tortorella says the team needs to step up it’s physical play and not blame the lack of Gaborik for it’s loss. This could be an early nightmare for the Rangers. Rookie Islander John Tavares had no problem getting up for this game based on the past rivalry. He said they played a complete 60 minute game and he was right. Kyle Okposo had a terrific game for the Isles. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 29 of 32 shots, but the 2nd Islander goal on a breakaway had to be stopped. The three stars, all Islanders were Dwayne Roloson, Kyle Okposo and Jack Hillen.