No two NHL teams play as close to each other as the Rangers and Islanders, with Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center being just five miles apart. The in-state rivalry began before the Islanders even stepped on the ice, as the team was forced to pay a territorial fee to the Rangers upon entering the NHL. At the Garden, fans have a long-standing tradition of yelling "Potvin Sucks!" during every game, citing what they perceived to be a dirty hit by Denis Potvin hit on Ulf Nilsson in 1979.
But wives and girlfriends of the Rangers and Islanders came together for a good cause Monday in the Bronx in advance of the teams' latest clash on the ice Thursday in Brooklyn. Thanks to the efforts of Therese Lundqvist, wife of Rangers goaltender Henrik, the two groups traveled to Food Bank For New York City's Warehouse & Distribution Center, where they repacked meals.
Wives/gfs of @NYRangers and @NYIslanders packed 3,879 meals today at @FoodBank4NYC. Team #NYR won. @HLundqvistFDN pic.twitter.com/c1ifuFPE9t
— ThePostGame.com (@ThePostGame) January 11, 2016
Naturally, the event became a competition. The Islanders team, decked out in black Brooklyn alternate shirts, moved to one side of the room and the Rangers' squad, wearing white Henrik Lundqvist Foundation pocket tees, shifted to the other side.
Team HLF (Rangers's wives/girlfriends) won the charitable challenge, repacking 2,531 pounds, the equivalent of 2,109 meals.
Combined with Team Islanders, the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation and the New York Islanders Children's Foundation packed 4,655 pounds, or 3,879 meals.
Although the players' wives and girlfriends do not get on the ice, two Team Islanders members did their part trash-talking. Megan Bailey, wife of Josh Bailey, and Sydney Esiason, girlfriend of Matt Martin (and daughter of former NFL Pro Bowler and noted Rangers fan Boomer Esiason), tossed some shade at Team HLF.
Wives/gfs of @NYRangers, @NYIslanders packed 3,879 meals for @FoodBank4NYC, not w/o trash-talking. @HLundqvistFDN pic.twitter.com/Hgt6WXOhui
— Jeffrey Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) January 14, 2016
For the most part, the vibe in the room was friendly and upbeat.
Here are Bailey and Esiason spilling some truths about their significant others:
Megan Bailey, @sydneyesiason on what @NYIslanders fans don't know about Josh Bailey, @mattymarts17. @HLundqvistFDN pic.twitter.com/apSjmTGdpN
— Jeffrey Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) January 14, 2016
And talking about what they like about the Islanders' move to Brooklyn:
Megan Bailey and @sydneyesiason explain what they love about Brooklyn. @NYIslanders @mattymarts17 @HLundqvistFDN pic.twitter.com/iYQhTFZGty
— Jeffrey Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) January 14, 2016
Melissa Courcelles, girlfriend of Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath, and Stephanie Sabourin, fiancée of Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic, gave ThePostGame a dual-team interview, discussing their favorites parts of New York City.
.@NYRangers and @NYIslanders gfs talk fav things about NYC while packing meals for @FoodBank4NYC. @HLundqvistFDN pic.twitter.com/LSNwsrXJrj
— Jeffrey Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) January 14, 2016
Food Bank For New York City provides more than 64 million free meals to New Yorkers in need per year. Even in the middle of rivalry week in New York, Rangers and Islanders' wives and girlfriends found time to contribute to the cause.
#Isles and Rangers wives and girlfriends face off for first ever HLF @FoodBank4NYC Repack Day Challenge! pic.twitter.com/xagsZ4nlvO
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 11, 2016
#Isles & Rangers wives/girlfriends sorted over 4,500 lbs of food items with @FoodBank4NYC for distribution in NY! pic.twitter.com/awwaiIAj44
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 11, 2016
Thank you @HLundqvistFDN & the ladies of @NYRangers @NYIslanders for packing 4,655 lbs of food for NYers in need! pic.twitter.com/0p0XyajSXo
— Food Bank For NYC (@FoodBank4NYC) January 11, 2016
The @NYRangers & @NYIslanders wives/gfs will sort donated & bulk items into boxes for distribution to @FoodBank4NYC's network citywide.
— NHL (@NHL) January 11, 2016
-- Follow Jeffrey Eisenband on Twitter @JeffEisenband.