Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

In our annual Atlantic Division preview, we invite bloggers from rival teams within the division to stop by and give us some expert insight into what the Penguins will be dealing with when their teams come to town.

For this segment, we paid a visit to two New York based blogs to find out whats been going on with the Rangers and the Islanders this off-season.

Our first stop was to the Island, where Lighthouse Hockey blogger Dominik stopped by to tell us about the Islanders.

It’s worth mentioning that Dominik wrote this prior to Mark Streit’s injury being confirmed, so this obviously changes things from his perspective.

FF: Why, if at all, will the Islanders be better this year.

LH: In a word, growth. Aside from Mark Streit and Dwayne Roloson, the most important Islanders don’t even have more than two full seasons (at most) under their belts. John Tavares should improve on his up-and-down rookie year, Kyle Okposo should take another step forward after being beset by some bad luck last year (I guarantee he’ll do better than his unlucky 7.6 shooting percentage last year). Josh Bailey is another year along, even Rob Schremp should continue the growth he showed in the final 20 games of last season. Oh, and the Islanders’ best-kept secret, Frans Nielsen, is Selke-worthy.

FF: Name 3 players cruicial to the success of the Islanders.

LH: The above youngsters are all obviously huge — the rebuild goes as they go — but for this season we can add to them: James Wisniewski, a late-summer steal (just a 3rd-round pick to Anaheim) who will either enter their top pair or anchor their second. If Wisniewski continues his growth, he’ll represent the best upgrade in a huge blueline makeover. If he tries to do too much or make some of the poor decisions that attached to his rap in Chicago and Anaheim, that’s another story. Jack Hillen: Another youngster entering just his third full year, his 2009-10 was interrupted by an Ovechkin slapper to the jaw. He’s mobile, very smart, deceptive, which he must be to compensate for his smaller frame. If he can be Brian Rafalski-lite, then the Isles have a solid top three with Streit-Wisniewski-Hillen. Matt Moulson: The other young Islanders have the pedigree, but Moulson actually has the 30-goal season on his resume. His all-around play is solid and his surprising stats were not powerplay-dependent. He’s the real deal, but it will be huge if he can match or come within five goals of last year’s total rather than regress to the 20-goal range.

FF: Who should Penguin fans be watching this season when the Isles come to town?

JH: Since Pens fans probably know to watch Tavares and Okposo (whose motor never stops), and if Nino Niederreiter makes the team he’ll have his bright moments and invisible moments just like Tavares last year, I’ll say watch Nielsen: He draws the opposition’s best all the time (well, when the Isles are on the road teams can keep their #1 away from him). You don’t notice him without looking, but once you do you realize his intelligence and defensive awareness. Even some non-Islanders followers started to notice what this Dane brought to the table last year.

FF: Predict how you finish the year.

LH: Assuming the East remains the weaker conference with a big mediocre 6-10 seed bubble, I figure the Islanders will be better this year, will be in the playoff race longer, but ultimately fall short. I’ve been saying 10th or 11th place, but honestly depending on each team’s injury luck they could land anywhere from 9th to 13th.

Next, we move to the big city to get our Rangers preview from Kevin DeLury of The New York Rangers Blog.

FF:Why, if at all, will the Rangers be better this year.

KD: The Rangers will be better because they addressed their biggest problem this offseason: scoring. Especially on the power play. With the acquisition of F Alex Frolov and a seasoned D Michael Del Zotto, I don’t see how the offense can’t be better. And don’t foget Marian Gaborik.

Another factor towards the Rangers being a better team is the signing of G Martin Biron. Biron will allow Henrik Lundqvist to receive some much needed rest while providing solid goaltending. Something the Rangers sorely lacked from their backups last season.

Finally, having F Derek Boogaard’s toughness in the lineup will allow the Rangers skilled players to do their thing without any threat of an opponent being physical with them.

FF: Name three players crucial to the success of the Rangers.

KD: Gaborik, Lundqvist, Avery

FF: Name one player that Penguin fans need to watch for when the Rangers come to town.

KD: C Derek Stepan. He is a rookie who was captain of USA’s Gold Medal winning team at last year’s World Junior Championship and also played in the National Championship game for the U of Wisconsin. He has had some early chemistry with Gaborik and Frolov and is expected to be on the opening night roster. The kid is just a flat out winner.

FF: Predict how you finish the year.

KD: 7th seed. Second round exit.

Stay tuned for our Devils and Flyers season preview coming soon. Thanks to both blogs for the assistance and make sure you check back with them throughout the year.