Rangers fall to Islanders, 2-1, in a shootout

New York Islanders defenseman Marek Zidlicky (28), of the Czech Republic, defends New York Rangers center Dominic Moore (28) behind the Islanders net in the first period of an NHL hockey game at the Barclays Center in New York…

The Islanders, who moved this season after playing at Nassau Coliseum since 1972, won a 2-1 shootout Wednesday night at Barclays Center – the first-ever shootout in the building – in an engrossing, well-paced game played in a playoff-like atmosphere before a rare sellout crowd in Brooklyn.

The Rangers’ fans were louder earlier, drowning out the Islanders’ fans with a deafening “Let’s Go Rangers” chant five minutes before the opening faceoff and again shortly after the game began, then emphatically booing the home team. “I think we feel like we’re playing well”.

Emotions spilled over during an eventful overtime in which the Islanders killed off a Rangers power play generated by a too many men on the ice call.

“I used to come into Nassau with the visiting team”, said Rangers defenseman Dan Boyle, who previously played with the Panthers, Lightning and Sharks.

On Wednesday night in Brooklyn – 43 years, a dynasty and a ended Cup drought later – the Islanders hosted the Rangers in their second home, that temple of obstructed seats and easy mass transit access known as Barclays Center. “It’s a home game for us, but just like at the Coliseum, they’ve got a lot of fans here, too”.

The Rangers are first in the National Hockey League in goals against thus far this season with 2.1 goals thanks to Henrik Lundqivst and Antti Raanta, who have played ridiculously all season long.

“It’s good for our fan base”, said Islanders center and captain John Tavares, who scored the game’s first goal with 7:38 left in the second period. It leads to moments like the one in the shootout, when Rangers fans preceded Mats Zuccarello’s attempt with their usual chants of “Zuuuuc”, and Isles fans followed it up seconds later with a roar of their own when Halak made the stop.

Blue Islanders sweaters comingled with blue Rangers sweaters, with only orange and red making them distinct. The Islanders are enjoying success in the third, having scored at least one goal in the period in eight straight games while outscoring the opposition 36-21 over the final 20 minutes of regulation.

The Islanders improved to 11-3-1 in games in which Tavares recorded a point, and were 8-1-1 in games in which the first overall pick in the 2009 draft scored a goal. The first was at Yankee Stadium on January 29, 2014.

A season after Capuano reached the 300 win milestone, Bailey played in his 500th career game – all with the same team. “I think the fans got their money’s worth”, said coach Jack Capuano. It was a great atmosphere.

“He lost the puck a little bit, and couldn’t put it in”, said Halak.

But Derek Stepan is out injured, and Emerson Etem is out sick, initiating the recall of Tanner Glass for their fourth line tonight. “It’s always a big challenge for us to go up against them, but it’s also a fun challenge”. The Islanders scratched RW Steve Bernier and D Brian Strait….

Strome, a 22-year-old center, has already contributed two goals and two assists during his three-game stint with the club.