It’s an in-state rivalry with two teams at opposite ends of the Eastern Conference playoff picture, front and center in Sunday’s Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium.
The New York Rangers are surging. The leaders of the Metropolitan Division are seeking a seventh straight win, and they’re -143 moneyline favorites over the New York Islanders in the NHL odds.
The Isles, meanwhile, are reeling with five losses in their last seven games, dropping them five points out of the second and final Wild Card spot in the conference.
What New York team should you target Sunday? Read below for my free Rangers vs. Islanders NHL picks for Sunday, February 18.
Rangers vs Islanders odds
Rangers vs Islanders predictions
The New York Rangers picked up their season-best sixth-straight win with a 7-4 drubbing of the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. A team that ranks 13th averaging 3.30 goals per game, the Blueshirts have upped that during this win streak, putting up 4.12 goals per game.
The Rangers have tightened the screws on a defense that already ranks eighth in the NHL, allowing 2.76 goals per contest. Over their last six games, NYR have given up 1.83 goals per game, holding opponents to two goals or less in four of those contests.
But it’s not all good news, as they’ll be without veteran forward Blake Wheeler, who suffered a serious leg injury in the first period against the Habs.
The 37-year-old — who's been playing on New York’s top line — has already been ruled out for the rest of the regular season, with the hope he could return at some point in the playoffs, assuming the Rangers can make a deep run.
The New York Islanders are coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Seattle Kraken. They are 3-3-2 since Patrick Roy took over as head coach, with those three wins the only bright spots over the last 12 games.
They’re a Bottom-10 team in scoring, putting up 2.91 goals per game. It isn’t a good combination with their defense, which ranks second last in the NHL while surrendering 3.26 goals per contest.
The good news is that the Isles are finally healthy. Only six players have been in the lineup for every game this season, and every player on opening night in October was in uniform for the last game, except for healthy scratch Sebastian Aho and Andy Fasching (lower body).
Despite their recent struggles, the Isles have dominated this head-to-head, taking four of the previous six, and seven of 10.
However, New York and New York have yet to meet this season, and this first of four matchups will be a good indicator of where these teams are at.
There are going to be instances down the home stretch where the Rangers will feel the loss of Wheeler, but on Sunday against the Islanders, I don’t think it shouldn’t matter as much.
My best bet: Rangers moneyline (-143 at Sports Interaction)
Rangers vs Islanders same-game parlay
Rangers moneyline
Chris Kreider anytime goal
Mathew Barzal anytime goal
Rangers forward Chris Kreider has been one of the offensive forces for the Rangers during this six-game win streak. He’s coming off a three-goal performance against the Canadiens.
He has five goals and three assists over the last six games, and he’s also had two goals against the Islanders in his last four games. I think he’ll be heavily involved on Sunday afternoon.
For the Isles, team-leading scorer Mathew Barzal has had a couple of days off for maintenance purposes, and he should be good to go against the Rangers.
He’s had two goals and three assists in four games out of the All-Star break, and he’s had some success against the Rangers of late, with points in six straight games.
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Rangers vs Islanders moneyline and Over/Under analysis
Despite their recent success, the books have only had the Rangers as high as -167 favorites on the moneyline. Most of the action now, though, has them in the -150 range.
The Islanders have been listed as long as +130 underdogs.
Earlier Saturday, you could have found the total at six goals, but most of the sites have settled at the 5.5 goal mark.
Both teams have been hitting the Over this season, with the Islanders at a 29-21-3 record, while the Rangers have seen the Over go 28-24-2.
Rangers vs Islanders betting trend to know
The Islanders have covered the puck line just once in their last 12 day games against Eastern Conference opponents. Find more NHL betting trends for Rangers vs. Islanders.
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Rangers vs Islanders game info
| Location: | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| Date: | Sunday, February 18, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 3:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ABC |
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