Islanders Should Get Big Boost Tonight in Showdown with Rangers

Kyle Okposo (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

According to multiple sources the Islanders will have Kyle Okposo back for it showdown with the New York Rangers tonight.

The Islanders added minor complementary pieces at the trade deadline to augment its lineup knowing they would be getting Okposo back from injury in mid to late March.  Luckily, Okposo seems to be returning ahead of schedule.

Okposo has been out since picking up an assist in the game against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 19^th.

The Islanders enter tonight’s contest holding a 3-point advantage over their intra-city rival and tonight’s game is a massive opportunity for the Islanders to retake control of the race in the Metropolitan division.

Although the Rangers do have four games at hand, the Islanders could take a 5 point advantage with the right result tonight.

The Islanders had won the first three games of the series, but in the last matchup, the Rangers erased two two-goal deficits and beat the Islanders 6-5.

Since that game, the Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL and are looking to draw to within a point of the Islanders with tonight’s matchup.

However, it is worth noting that Okposo missed that game and he will be a major factor in the Islanders lineup down the stretch of the season and if he is 100%, in tonight’s game specifically.

Okposo ought to help the Islanders power play, create a scoring threat ad threat along the boards on the Tavares line, and could help the Islanders struggling penalty kill.