Rangers, Islanders honor police, firefighters with Stadium Series arrivals

Talk about arriving in style. The New York Rangers pulled up to their Stadium Series clash against the New York Islanders on Sunday via NYPD police cruisers and FDNY rigs.

Rangers players walked into MetLife Stadium decked out in police- and fire-department-inspired sweaters, too — one set blue, the other red — alongside actual members of those departments.

An honor to share this moment with you, @NYPDnews and @FDNY. pic.twitter.com/B1FJVehADj

— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 18, 2024

Often, there’s a teammate or two generating the main idea for outfit coordination. Rangers forward Barclay Goodrow wasn’t sure who spearheaded the fits; he was just pleased with the final product.

“I thought it came together great,” he said. “It was great meeting those [service people]. Obviously, we all know what they do for our community. It was great to share that moment with them.”

Once the Rangers had made their way to the dressing room, it was the Islanders’ turn to step out.

The #Isles have arrived with a salute to Long Island’s finest and bravest. 🚒🚔 pic.twitter.com/i62T4QXVVd

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 18, 2024

They, too, came through with members of the police and fire services from the greater New York area.

But the Islanders did not embrace this opportunity to up their fashion game. Instead, players wore a standard suit/jacket combo into the stadium. Because, just like Mother Nature is undefeated at creating at least one outdoor game weather delay each year (sun glare, anyone?), so too is Isles GM Lou Lamoriello in applying his rules of order.

Still, even if the Islanders kept their apparel low-key, it was special to share the stage with a coveted entourage.

“I want to say thank you to the policemen and the fire department for supporting us in this event,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said. “I think the players are very thrilled about this.”

Not only is Sunday’s tilt the first meeting of the season between the New York rivals, it’s Roy’s first time coaching his new squad against the Rangers since he took over behind the bench Jan. 20.

“The first one is a pretty impressive one, isn’t it? Playing in front of 70,000 people?” Roy said of the circumstance.

Now, get caught up on all the fashion action you might have missed! Take a look back at what the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers wore for their arrivals to Saturday’s Stadium Series matchup here.