The New York Rangers, led by Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad, are ready to take the ice against Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in a cross-town, divisional tilt. MSG Network will air the game, and the opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 25.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Odds
The Islanders (-135) are favored over the Rangers (+115) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under) at Draftkings Sportsbook.
The Islanders are 35-26 straight up (SU) and have earned 5.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, ranked third in the Metropolitan Division so far in this young season, is right in line with what the team managed during last year’s regular season (48-34). Among their 61 games this season, 24 have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 20-11 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on just 17.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 23rd overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 26.3 saves per game with a .920 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (20 wins, 20 losses, and four OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Islanders this year. If head coach Barry Trotz decides to rest him, however, the team could turn to Thomas Greiss (16-12-12 record, .916 save percentage, 2.65 goals against average).
On the visiting bench, the Rangers are 33-28 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 12.5 units this year. A total of 31 of their contests have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just two have pushed. As the road team, New York is 16-13 SU.
The Rangers have converted on 23.1 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and they’ve successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
Henrik Lundqvist (.907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for the Rangers. Lundqvist is averaging 27.6 saves per game and has 11 wins, 17 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Betting Predictions
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
The Islanders are 3-2 in games that go to shootout. The Rangers are 1-2 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in each of the Islanders’ last five outings.
Over the Rangers’ last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 6-1 in those games).
The Islanders this season have dished out the third-most hits per game in the NHL (28.3).