In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers face off at Madison Square Garden for a Metropolitan Division tilt. MSG Network will showcase the matchup, which gets underway at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 13.
New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers Odds
Losing -0.5 units for moneyline bettors, the Rangers are 22-20 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during the 2016-17 season (48-34). Through 42 regular season contests, 21 of their games have gone over the total, while 19 have gone under and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 15-10 SU at home.
The Rangers have converted on 18.5 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated fifth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Rangers have been whistled for penalties just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to defend opposition power plays for just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
With a .924 save percentage and 29.5 saves per game, Henrik Lundqvist (19-16-4) has been the best option in goal for the Rangers this year. If the Broadway Blueshirts choose to give him the day off, however, the team could go with Ondrej Pavelec (3-7-7 record, .926 save percentage, 2.55 goals against average).
Mats Zuccarello and J.T. Miller will each lead the offensive attack for the Rangers. Zuccarello (31 points) has tallied eight goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points on six separate occasions this year. Miller has eight goals and 19 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 20 games.
the Islanders are 21-22 straight up (SU) and have lost 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 43 regular season outings, 28 of their games have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just three have pushed. New York’s 8-14 SU as the road team this season.
The Islanders have scored on 20.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for ninth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and they’ve successfully killed off 74.1 percent of all penalties.
Islanders players have been penalized 3.7 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays an unhealthy 13.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jaroslav Halak (.904 save percentage and 3.24 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for the Islanders. Halak is averaging 28.7 saves per game and owns a 12-15-2 record.
Leading the offensive counter for the visitors will be John Tavares (22 goals, 29 assists) and Josh Bailey (12 goals, 38 assists).
New York Islanders at New York Rangers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
Over the Islanders’ last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-6 in those games).
Power plays and penalty kills could be extremely important in the outcome of this one. The Islanders are 9-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 12-16 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Rangers are 9-7 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 15-12 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Four of the Rangers’ last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-2 in those games and 3-4 overall in shootouts this year.
The Rangers are ranked 31st this season with 14.0 giveaways per game. That figure has improved, however, as they’ve averaged 12.2 giveaways over their last 10 games and 9.0 giveaways over their last five.
New York has averaged 8.4 giveaways over their last five home games, an improvement from their season average of 11.6 giveaways per game (ranked 26th).
