Nassau Coliseum will play host to an enticing matchup as the New York Islanders welcome the visiting New York Rangers. It’s the fourth and final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. MSG Network will air this cross-town, divisional matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, February 25.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Odds
The Islanders (-135) are being tabbed as the favorites over the Rangers (+115) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -105 for the over and -115 for the under.
Earning moneyline bettors 5.9 units, the Islanders are 35-26 straight up (SU) overall in the 2019-20 season. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is right in line with the 48-34 record the team managed during the 2018-19 season campaign. Out of their 61 regular season outings, 34 of them have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just three have pushed. Thus far, the team is 20-11 SU at home.
The Islanders have converted on just 17.5 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that puts them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Islanders have been whistled for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Boasting a .920 save percentage and 26.3 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (20 wins, 20 losses, and four OT losses) has been the top option in goal for the Islanders this season. If head coach Barry Trotz decides to give him the evening off, however, the Isles might turn to Thomas Greiss (16-12-12 record, .916 save percentage, 2.65 goals against average).
Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson will both spearhead the attack for the Islanders. Barzal (52 points) has tallied 18 goals and 34 assists and has recorded multiple points 13 times this year. Nelson has 22 goals and 27 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 31 contests.
The Rangers have earned moneyline bettors 12.5 units this year and are currently 33-28 straight up (SU). Through 61 regular season outings, 31 of their games have gone under the total, while 28 have gone over and just two have pushed. New York’s 16-13 SU as the away team this season.
The Rangers have converted on 23.1 percent of their power play chances this year, 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.
Rangers players have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 3.3 per game over their last ten match ups. The team’s had to kill penalties just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Henrik Lundqvist (.907 save percentage and 3.12 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for the Rangers. Lundqvist is averaging 27.6 saves per game and owns an 11-17-3 record.
Artemi Panarin (31 goals, 52 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive playmakers for the visitors.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in each of the Islanders’ last five outings.
- The Rangers are 14-15 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Islanders are 25-11 SU when they serve more minutes than the opposition.
- The Islanders are 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Rangers are 1-2 in shootouts.
- The Islanders are ranked 18th in the NHL with 7.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as they’ve averaged 5.5 takeaways over their last 10 games and 5.6 takeaways over their last five.
- The Rangers have averaged 3.3 goals per game overall this year, but have upped it to 4.7 per contest in their last three games (the team’s a perfect 3-0 SU over that span)
- The Rangers have forced 6.8 takeaways per game over their last five road games, a drop-off from their season average of 8.1 takeaways per game (ranked ninth in the NHL).
