By Jeff Nagle
Flip a coin. Roll a dice. Play rock-paper-scissors. However you want to decide it, do it. The series between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders is THE premiere FNHL first round series. The simple fact that one of these great teams is going to get bounced in the first round is almost a crime. The Rangers are coming off a break-out year, posting 100 points and 43 wins. The Islanders, not to be outdone, posted 94 points and 43 wins. Whoa!
What is more ironic is the fact the the Islanders were Rangers' GM Nagle's previous team. Many of the faces that are now foes will be looking to play the spoilers against the Rangers.
"There are a lot of great players who have found their game on that team. I am happy for them, but I want to see them sad on the handshake line when that game comes about." chuckled GM Nagle.
The Rangers are also at the top of Nagle's latest rebuild and to see both of these teams reach their pinnacle is satisfying for the veteran GM.
"I'm proud of both teams, but let's be clear, I want them to lose." finished GM Nagle.
What could be a possible result here? No idea. Both teams are so evenly matched that it's nearly impossible to come up with a prediction that makes any sense. The Rangers are deep, the Islanders are talented. Both have Hall of Famers, both have dynamic offences. While it's been a few years since he jumped the river to work downtown, GM Nagle's fingerprints are all over this series, so it's no surprise that this battle of the Big Apple is so close. It's going to be a ride!
11/9/2026 - 289 words
