Islanders win again against divisional rival Rangers; 2 wins, 2 ties in 9 games satisfies

NYI captain Robert Lang is on a three-game scoring streak for the second time this season as he leads the Isles 6-3 over the Rangers last night. The centre and his right winger Mike York have 9 points each in the first 9 games of the season. Third liner saprykin has 4 goals, Roenick 3 and each of Zednik, Holik, Semenov, Chistov have two goals each. Preseason hero Chris Simon has been one of the few letdowns so far, scoring his first goal of the season last night on five shots with seven hits to take first game star. Two wins and two ties in nine games is not bad for a team that - on paper - shouldn't win any games. "There are a half dozen teams 'colder' than we are in terms of wins, and another half dozen chilly teams that have dropped farther than they should," says team g.m. VanIslander. "Only the most incalcitrant critic could be disappointed in what the team has done so far this season with what we have."