The Rangers, who play in Manhattan and practice in Westchester County, are mostly a city-dwelling team — even if it is harder for their pets. Forward Brandon Pirri moved to Manhattan from Chicago this summer with his wife and Lucy, their rescue pit bull, only to be turned away from their first few apartment choices because of the dog’s breed.

The Islanders’ closeness to Nassau County is the main reason the team stopped doing morning skates before games in Brooklyn last season.

Barclays Center officials continue trying to forge inroads with Brooklyn fans, especially the next generation of hockey watchers and players. They are starting a program at nearby Prospect Park on Dec. 5, which will include weekly free skating sessions and hockey clinics.

The Islanders played well at Barclays last season, winning 25 of 41 games and beating the Florida Panthers in the first round of the playoffs for the franchise’s first postseason series win since 1993.

But the Islanders are off to a rocky start this season. After Friday’s 3-2 loss at San Jose, the Isles sit last in the Eastern Conference. With just six wins in their first 20 games, the team could soon find its season spiraling out of control.

Life away from the rink can help ease stress.

Islanders forward Josh Bailey, who has a newborn son and a 5-year-old bull mastiff, is grateful for life on Long Island. He recognizes why Islanders heroes like Bob Nystrom, Clark Gillies and Pat LaFontaine continued to make the area home well after their playing days.

“We’ve been here almost a decade now and it’s such a great place to have a family,” said Bailey, 27, a forward drafted by the Islanders in 2008. “It’s not crazy-busy all the time and we have space, which feels even better now having a kid. I understand why guys stay here.”