The Rangers head out to the Island tonight (7:00pm – MSG HD) for their first of six meetings with their division rivals. The Islanders have struggled this year, with only 4 points in 9 games…and are coming off a 4-3 loss to Carolina in which they registered 60 shots, but failed to tie it on a Penalty Shot with 0.7 seconds remaining in regulation.

Rick DiPietro is questionable for the game, which will undoubtedly help the Rangers cause (he’s something like 8-2 lifetime against the Blueshirts). For the Rangers, it looks like Petr Prucha did enough last game to get another shot tonight.

Despite their 8-2-1 record, the Rangers are still not playing their best hockey. Case in point, Saturday’s thrilling win over the Penguins, saw the Rangers below their best for at least half the game.

Marc Staal and Paul Mara were given props by Tom Renney over the weekend, and now Henrik Lundqvist has joined in on the praise giving for the duo. Renney has left the pair together through the first 11 games of the season, while tinkering with the other two pairs.

Charlotte won their third game of the season yesterday, a 3-2 win over the Mississippi Sea Wolves to give the team a 3-2-0 record on the year. Andreas Jamtin had a secondary assist on the first goal by the Checkers.

2008 5th round draft pick Chris Doyle earned the QMJHL player of the week award for his offensive production with the P.E.I. Rocket. He had two goals and six assists in four road games this week.