Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, our writers here at Last Word On Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out.

The "Battle of New York' featuring the Islanders and the Rangers is set for Thursday night as the two NHL rivals face off at Madison Square Garden.

While the Rangers are retooling, the Islanders are building to be a competitive group in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. On Tuesday, the team went out and acquired Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils, adding some veteran scoring.

NEW YORK (AP) — Ondrej Palat scored the opening goal and added an assist in his debut with the New York Islanders, who defeated their cross-town rival New York Rangers 5-2 on Wednesday night. Simon Holmstrom had a goal and two assists,

Keeping Panarin out of the lineup for roster management purposes now means the Rangers are either close to moving him or protecting him from injury because of the intent to trade him. "The team decided to go in a different direction," Panarin said following a 6-3 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 17. "I'm OK with that."