Recap
2 min read

Did Islanders' Defense Outshine Rangers at Madison Square Garden?

The New York Islanders emerged victorious against the New York Rangers with a 2-1 win at Madison Square Garden. This victory improved the Isles' record to 30-19-5, while the Rangers now stand at 22-27-6. The game was tightly contested, with both teams showcasing their defensive capabilities.


Jan 29, 2026; New York, New York, USA;  New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) attempts to screen New York Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick (32) during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

First Period


The opening period saw both teams locked in a defensive battle, resulting in no goals scored. The Islanders managed to keep the Rangers at bay with solid goaltending from Ilya Sorokin, who made several crucial saves to maintain a clean sheet.


Second Period


In the second period, the Isles found their rhythm and broke through the Rangers' defense. Matthew Schaefer opened the scoring for New York Islanders with an impressive goal that set the tone for his team's performance. Bo Horvat contributed an assist during this period, highlighting his playmaking abilities.


Jan 29, 2026; New York, New York, USA;  New York Rangers center Sam Carrick (39) defends against New York Islanders defenseman Carson Soucy (4) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Third Period


As tensions rose in the third period, Emil Heineman doubled the lead for Isles with another well-executed goal. Despite a late powerplay goal by Mika Zibanejad of Broadway Blueshirts narrowing down their deficit, Sorokin's stellar performance between pipes ensured that they couldn't equalize.


The New York Islanders vs New York Rangers final score was reflective of strong defensive plays and key moments that defined this encounter. With Sorokin making 20 saves and maintaining a save percentage of 100 percent during even strength play, he was instrumental in securing victory for his team.


Jan 29, 2026; New York, New York, USA;  New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) skates with the puck against the New York Rangers during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images

Looking ahead to future matchups after post-game thoughts on New York Islanders’ current form: Fans can catch them next as they face Nashville Predators on January 31st at UBS Arena in Belmont Park; puck drops at 7:00 PM EST live on ESPN+, MSGSN or FDSSO networks! Share your thoughts about this game and stay tuned for more updates!

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