New York @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 13, 2020 ) NY Islanders 2, NY Rangers 6

The New York Islanders took it on the chin in their lopsided loss to the New York Rangers earlier in the week before flexing their muscles in their following contest. The Islanders look to exact revenge against the Rangers on Thursday when the cross-town rivals reconvene at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

"You play a game like (Monday, a 6-2 setback to the Rangers) -- we've all been through it before, those aren't fun, so we needed a response (Tuesday)," Islanders forward Jordan Eberle said following an 8-2 romp over league-worst Detroit. Eberle, who recorded his 500th point, joined Brock Nelson in collecting a goal and an assist in the first meeting with the Rangers before also scoring and setting up a goal versus the Red Wings. Artemi Panarin continues to pay dividends on the seven-year, $81.5 million contract he signed in the summer, as he erupted for a career high-tying five points (two goals, three assists) on Monday. Panarin has registered 20 points versus the Islanders, the most against any other team in his NHL career.

TIME: 7 p.m. ET. TV: MSG-Plus, MSG2

ABOUT THE RANGERS (22-19-4): Panarin leads the team in goals (26), assists (41) and points (67) this season, with six, 16 and 22 coming in the last nine games. "Every now and then he one-ups himself, and he did that again (Monday)," Rangers coach David Quinn said. "We talked about it when we signed him over the summer, everybody stands a little bit taller, they put their chests out a little further and they have a little more swagger, but I think he's given us a lot more than that." Like Panarin, Jesper Fast matched a single-game career high on Monday when he collected a goal and two assists against the Islanders.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (28-13-4): After scoring two or fewer goals in five of their previous six games, the Islanders erupted for a season-best outburst on Tuesday -- with Nelson tallying twice to take over the team lead in goals (18). Nelson and Eberle weren't alone with two-point performances on Tuesday, as captain Anders Lee, Anthony Beauvillier and Leo Komarov each scored and set up a goal while Mathew Barzal and defenseman Ryan Pulock each had two assists. "I thought all four lines were pretty good (Tuesday)," Nelson said. "I thought Barzy's line was going. They led us out of the gates, Beau was going and forechecking. Bailey's line was good too. They had a few good looks. When you get everyone going like that, we're a tough team."

OVERTIME

1. The Rangers have won nine of their last 10 games against Metropolitan Division rivals.

2. The Islanders are hosting the Rangers in Uniondale for the first time since March 10, 2015.

3. The Rangers have won three of the last four meetings against the Islanders after losing 12 of the previous 13 since the start of the 2015-16 season.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Rangers 2