The contrasts between the up -- as in Uptown -- and the downward team are stark when speaking of this season's version of the Islanders and Rangers.
If I was doing a movie about today's New York Rangers-Islanders game at The Garden, I'd call it, "Study In Contrasts."
Naturally, Breadman Panarin would earn the starring role after his two-goal, five point soliloquy in Pittsburgh yesterday.
The contrasts between the Up -- as in Uptown -- and the downward team are stark.
Even when the normally nifty Jonathan Quick has an "Eh" first two periods in the crease, his mates bail him out.
"This is stuff we've been doing all year," chortles Jonathan who's quick with a quip.
When they fall behind, the Seventh Avenue guys have no trouble rebounding as they did in Crosbyville. Or, if you will, the way they demonstrated when Nassau and Manhattan met at MetLifeStadium in East Rutherford before about 79,000 worshipers.
"I like the way we responded in Pittsburgh, coming back the way we did," said coach Peter Laviolette.
Pete's cavalry handed Sir Sidney Crosby his eleventh goal-less game, 7-4 at the arena that's all about paint; and I don't mean Lorimer; the kind my Grandpa Friedman used to make in Williamsburg.
As for The Maven's "Contrast" angle, what can I say today about this Islanders team that sometimes suggests that Patrick Roy's troops seem to play as if they're wearing two left skates.
After coming from behind late in the third to tie the game at 2-2 on Bo Horvat's PP -- goalie pulled -- goal, they then went and blew it in overtime.
And wouldn't you know it Bo went from hero to goat since his questionable OT penalty led to Ottawa's winning PP goal.
"We're better than this," says a baffled Roy whose team has plummeted from an energetic six-game winning streak to something like the Wild Card abyss.
And believe you Maven, they're not going to be pitied by their hot hosts who'd love nothing better than to keep the Isles three-game loss skid -- no kidding -- skidding.
If I was to make a symphony out of the starting goalies -- Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin -- it would be called "Concerto For Comrades."
These buddies from Mother Russia are such great pals you sometimes wish Billy Smith was in goal for the Isles to stir up the rivalry as Matt Rempe roiled on that football field in East Rutherford.
As we speak, Lavvy is at his blueprint machine because he's a stickler for perfection.
"Yeah," he allows, "there are some things we have to clean up from yesterday."
What does The Cryptic Coach want to "clean up," vs. the Islanders?
The hope among the Nassaumen -- is to make a game of it and -- miracle of miracles -- get two points.
Or as Isles philosopher King Bo puts it: "We have to be better than yesterday."
The Maven will go one better: "MUCH, MUCH better vs. these Rangers!"