New York @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 21, 2020 ) NY Islanders 4, NY Rangers 2

The New York Rangers and Islanders gave the tabloids enough news to fill a special section on Monday, and neither team took the ice. After a significant trade, a pair of big-money contracts and even a car accident highlighted their off-days, the Metropolitan Division rivals look to get the last word on Tuesday when they meet at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

Let's start with the Rangers, who agreed to terms with Chris Kreider on a seven-year contract to keep the former first-round forward with the Blueshirts for the foreseeable future. "Both sides worked hard on this. Both sides are very happy with the deal we've been able to put together," team president John Davidson said of the contract for the 28-year-old Kreider. While the upstart Rangers have won seven of their last eight to claw their way back into the postseason discussion, the Islanders showed they are serious in their bid for the playoffs by acquiring Jean-Gabriel Pageau from Ottawa for three draft picks. "I'll take the role they give me, whatever role it is and take it seriously. My heart is going to go to the Isles and I'm going to give it my all," said Pageau, who promptly signed a six-year contract with his new team.

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

ABOUT THE RANGERS (33-24-4): Davidson's news conference on Monday ultimately took a different tone, however, after he announced that rookie goaltender Igor Shesterkin and forward Pavel Buchnevich were involved in a car accident in Brooklyn on Sunday night. Shesterkin, 24, sustained a rib fracture that is non-displaced and will be reassessed in a couple of weeks while Buchnevich, 24, was shaken up by the ordeal but did not sustain a significant injury. Shesterkin has posted a 9-1-0 record with a .940 save percentage with the Rangers, who are expected to turn to Alexandar Georgiev for Tuesday's tilt.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (35-20-6): Lou Lamoriello was pleased with Monday's acquisition of Pageau, although the New York general manager wasn't just thinking about this season when considering the depth at the center position. "Very excited," Lamoriello said. "With Mat (Barzal), Brock (Nelson), Pageau and Casey (Cizikas), I think it solidifies down the middle for a good period of time." Speaking of Barzal, the 22-year-old set up a pair of goals in Sunday's 4-1 victory over San Jose and resides one point shy of 200 for his career.

OVERTIME

1. Rangers C Mika Zibanejad earned NHL Second Star of the Week honors on Monday after he collected eight points (three goals, five assists) in three games.

2. The Islanders acquired D Jordan Schmaltz from Toronto for F Matt Lorito on Monday.

3. The Rangers sent D Brady Skjei to Carolina for a first-round draft pick on Monday.

PREDICTION: Rangers 3, Islanders 2