This bad blood won’t simmer for long.
Unlike the vitriol between the Rangers and Devils, which took over three weeks to be settled with a wild line brawl during their April 3 clash, the Rangers and Islanders will barely even have to wait.
Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette was incensed about two hits during the Rangers’ 4-2 loss to the Islanders on Tuesday night at UBS Arena.
Mika Zibanejad lies on the ice after colliding with Adam Pelech during the Rangers’ 4-2 loss to the Islanders. Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images The first was a collision between forward Mika Zibanejad and Islanders defenseman Adam Pelech which left Zibanejad sprawled on the ice and out for the rest of the game, though he did later return to the bench.
Laviolette was adamant that Pelech intentionally stuck out his elbow to catch Zibanejad, while Islanders head coach Patrick Roy claimed it was incidental.
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The second was a hit from behind by Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson on Vincent Trocheck in the final seconds of the game.
It appeared to be a clear boarding, though it went uncalled, and prompted Trocheck to berate the referee after the game.
Laviolette dubbed both hits “vicious.”
The teams square off again on Saturday, not even having to go a week before they put their animosity back on the line.
Last time there was this much bad blood, with the Devils, Laviolette inserted Matt Rempe into the lineup for the first time in three games as fisticuffs were expected.
Perhaps he’ll do so again on Saturday.
Jack Roslovic’s extra motivation didn’t make much of a difference.
The forward had been a healthy scratch during the Rangers’ 5-2 win over the Canadiens on Sunday, and subsequently said on Monday that it provided extra motivation to firmly reclaim his spot on the first line next to Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.
Roslovic returned to that spot on Tuesday, but he was extremely quiet. He didn’t register a point, and recorded a giveaway.
Jimmy Vesey is keeping close track of all the different possible opponents the Rangers could face in the first round of the playoffs.
“I follow the league and people honestly call me a loser for how close I follow it,” Vesey said Tuesday night. “I like to see the different scenarios and how it plays out.”
