Isles hope to hang onto playoff spot vs. rival Rangers

(Photo credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
Every game the New York Islanders have played the last several weeks has been accompanied by a playoff-like urgency.

On Tuesday night, the Islanders might get a preview of the real thing against their biggest rivals.

The Islanders (35-27-15, 85 points) will try to remain hot and maintain theirgrip on third place in the Metropolitan Division when they host the first-pla