Islanders vs. Rangers Prediction: NHL Odds & Betting Preview (November 8)

Islanders vs. Rangers Odds

The New YorkIslanders take on their cross town rivals the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The Isles took the first match as they shut out the Rangers 3-0 on their home ice, and will look to continue their winning ways after winning six out of their last seven games.

The Rangers have been as mediocre as it can get to start the season. It feels like they can’t build a sustainable winning streak as they’ve gone 4-3-3 over their last 10 games, and have lost 2 in a row to both Detroit and Boston.

Who takes the win on Broadway?

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New York Islanders

One of the things that coach Lane Lambert’s system brings out is scoring. Under previous coach Barry Trotz, you would never see anyone score at a point per game pace. This year, the Islanders have two. Brock Nelson, Mathew Barzal, and Anders Lee all are averaging a point per game. They’ve also gotten great contributions from youngsters Noah Dobson and Oliver Wahlstrom.

After a slow start to the season, while still getting acclimated to a new system, it seems that the Isles are climbing up in the models. Currently they stand at 20th in expected goals with a 48.42 xGF% and they average just under 10 high danger chances per game. The one thing that needs work though is the power play as they only convert 15.4% of the time.

Given that they’re not playing the stifling Trotz system anymore, they’ve let up a bunch more scoring chances. They have a 3.02 xGA/60 which is fourth highest, but their penalty kill is as  strong as a rock with a 90.5% success rate.

Since Ilya Sorokin played last night in Calgary, I can see Semyon Varlamov taking the crease. The veteran goaltender is enjoying a decent season as a backup, posting a .909 SV% and a -1.3 goals saved above expected (GSAx).

New York Rangers

There’s no shortage of talent on this Rangers squad. They’re loaded with elite players led by Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, former Norris winner Adam Fox, and Chris Kreider who netted 50 goals last year. Not only that, but they’re also incredibly deep – with contributions all around from all four lines.

What fascinates me this year about New York is its ability to generate 5-on-5 scoring chances. Last year the Rangers weren’t so lucky at even strength as they stayed towards the bottom in that department. This year, they have a seventh best 53.96 xGF% and create a little under 11 high danger chances per game. The power play has also fared well, scoring at a 22.2% pace.

Defense has been one of the Rangers strengths this year, improving from last year. They have a solid 2.5 xGA/60 and succeed on the PK at a 82.1% rate.

I fully expect Igor Shesterkin to take the crease in tonight’s battle. After running wild on the league last year, the reigning Vezina winner is posting solid numbers with a .916 SV% and a +4.3 GSAx. He didn’t play against the Islanders in their first meetup, so my guess is that coach Gerard Gallant will turn to his stud netminder in this bout.

Islanders vs. Rangers Pick

The New York rivalry is such a fun one, especially when both teams are good. There’s always bound to be a fight or two (even in the stands!), so expect there to be fireworks in this bout.

With that being said, I think the Rangers will take this one. While both teams are in the same place in the standings, I think the Rangers have the advantage in all facets. The models say that they’re the better team both offensively and defensively, and since Sorokin isn’t playing for the Isles, the Rangers have the advantage there too.

Also factor in that the Islanders are coming off a back to back against a deep Calgary roster, I see the home team sending the Blueshirt Faithful home happy.

Pick: Rangers 3-Way Line (-115)