In this article we will formulate an Islanders vs Rangers prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 27th at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders are 20-13-4 this season after they defeated New Jersey by a score of 2-1 in their last game. New York trailed 1-0 after the first period, but they scored once in the second and once in the third to escape with the win. The Islanders were out shot by a total of 32-25, won 45% of the face-offs, and went 0-0 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Holmstrom and Pelech, while Rittich stopped 31 out of 32 shots, which was a .969 save percentage.
Prior to that game, New York lost to the Sabres by a score of 3-2 and the Canucks by a score of 4-1. The Islanders have lost three of their last four games and they are currently third in the Metro standings with 44 points. New York has scored 2.81 goals per game and they have allowed 2.70 goals against per game, while also going 16.4% on the power play and 81.6% on the penalty kill this season. Bo Horvat has led New York with 19 goals and 12 assists, while Mathew Barzal has added 10 goals and 19 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Ilya Sorokin, who is 12-10-2 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .910 save percentage this season.
New York Rangers Betting Preview
The New York Rangers are 19-16-4 this year after they defeated Washington by a score of 7-3 in their last game. New York trailed 3-2 after the second period, but they scored five goals in the third to pull away for the lopsided win. The Rangers were out shot by a total of 32-21, won 54.2% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Cuylle, Lafreniere, Panarin, Raddysh (2), and Trocheck (2), while Shesterkin stopped 29 out of 32 shots, which was a .906 save percentage.
Prior to that game, New York lost to the Predators by a score of 2-1, but did beat the Flyers by a score of 5-4 before that. The Rangers have won three of their last four games and they are currently fifth in the Metro standings with 42 points. New York has scored 2.62 goals per game and they have allowed 2.69 goals against per game, while also going 18.9% on the power play and 80.7% on the penalty kill this season. Artemi Panarin has led New York with 14 goals and 24 assists, while Mika Zibanejad has added 12 goals and 17 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Igor Shesterkin, who is 16-11-3 with a 2.55 goals against average and a .908 save percentage this year.
Why the New York Rangers will win
- The Rangers have won each of their last six games as road underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Islanders have lost five of their last six games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Rangers’ last 13 games.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Islanders have lost the first period in each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Islanders’ last 10 night games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Rangers’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last four home games against the Rangers.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Rangers’ last six road games against the Islanders.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Bo Horvat has scored at least one goal in four of his last five appearances in home games.
- Kyle Palmieri has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Jean-Gabriel Pageau has recorded two assists against the Rangers this season – most against any opponent.
New York Rangers Player Prop Facts
- Will Cuylle has scored a goal in each of the Rangers’ last four games as road underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Artemi Panarin has recorded at least one assist in each of the Rangers’ last eight road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Vladislav Gavrikov has scored five career goals against the Islanders – most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Islanders rank 26th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.38%).
- The New York Islanders rank 8th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.70).
- The New York Rangers rank 28th in the league for goals per game this season (2.62).
- The New York Rangers rank 7th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.69).
Islanders vs Rangers Prediction
The Rangers come into this matchup with some rare momentum after winning three of their last four games, but they will be on the road here. The Rangers are 14-6-1 on the road this year, while the Islanders are 11-7-2 at home. The Islanders have dropped three of their last four and they have scored two regulation goals or fewer in five straight. Both teams are dealing with some injuries, but I don’t trust the Islanders offense and the Rangers have been solid away from home.