New Jersey vs New York NHL Live
The National Hockey League (NHL) is home to 32 teams, two of which are located in the New York Metropolitan Area - the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers. However, just across the Hudson River, New Jersey boasts its own NHL team, the New Jersey Devils. In this post, we will compare and contrast the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers/Islanders in terms of their history, fanbase, and current state of the franchise.
New Jersey vs New York NHL Live
The New York Islanders were founded in 1972 and have won four Stanley Cups (1980, 1981, 1982, and 1983) in their short history. The team had a long period of success in the early 1980s under head coach Al Arbour, winning 19 consecutive playoff series. However, the team has struggled in recent years and has only made the playoffs twice since the 2006-2007 season.
The New Jersey Devils were founded in 1974 as the Kansas City Scouts before moving to Denver and becoming the Colorado Rockies. In 1982, the team relocated to New Jersey and became the Devils. The team has won three Stanley Cups (1995, 2000, and 2003) and has made the playoffs 23 times in their history. The Devils have had success in recent years, making the playoffs five times in the past 10 seasons.
Fanbase
The New York Rangers have one of the largest and most passionate fanbases in the NHL. Their home arena, Madison Square Garden, is known for its electric atmosphere during games. The Rangers' fanbase is also very diverse, with fans from all over the world supporting the team.
The New York Islanders have a loyal fanbase, but their attendance has suffered in recent years due to the team's lack of success. The team is currently playing at the Nassau Coliseum, which has limited seating and is not located in a central location. However, the team will be moving to a new arena, the UBS Arena at Belmont Park, in the 2021-2022 season, which is expected to help boost attendance and fan interest.
The New Jersey Devils have a smaller fanbase than the Rangers or Islanders, but they are still a dedicated group. The team plays at the Prudential Center in Newark, which is located in the heart of New Jersey and has easy access to public transportation. The Devils have a strong youth hockey program in the state, which helps to cultivate a new generation of fans.
Current State of the Franchise
The New York Rangers are currently in a rebuilding phase after trading away many of their star players in recent years. The team has a young and talented core, including forward Artemi Panarin and defenseman Adam Fox. The Rangers also have the first overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, which they are expected to use to select a top prospect.
The New York Islanders have been one of the most successful teams in the NHL in recent years, making it to the conference finals in each of the past two seasons. The team is known for its strong defensive play and goaltending, led by goalie Semyon Varlamov. However, the Islanders will be losing their captain and star player, John Tavares, to free agency in the 2022 offseason.