The New York Rangers and New York Islanders are set to meet for the third and final time this season.
The Islanders have become the Rangers' kryptonite and they will try to complete the season sweep, winning each of the first two meetings this season and four of the last six overall.
I won’t be picking a side on this game, but I will be keeping my eye on the goaltenders — Igor Shesterkin and Ilya Sorokin — specifically in the opening frame.
There should be a ton of energy from both sides in the first period, but I think the goalies will be at their best knowing the importance of this final matchup of the season for these two rivals. Read more in my NHL picks and predictions below.
Islanders vs Rangers best odds
Islanders vs Rangers picks and predictions
These Rangers-Islanders matchups aren’t typically high-scoring, but beyond that, these teams are certainly not known for getting off to quick starts.
The Islanders enter this game averaging 0.61 goals scored in the first period and as for the Rangers, they average 0.79 goals in the opening frame. A stat that stands out is the teams' save percentages in the first period: .94 for the Islanders and .93 for the Rangers.
Ilya Sorokin is coming off of a fantastic performance against the Avalanche, stopping all 46 of the shots he faced for a perfect 1.000 save percentage in that game. He couldn’t hold off the Avs in the shootout, but he was unbelievable in regulation and overtime to get himself back on track.
Despite losing his last start, Igor Shesterkin has played an incredible stretch of hockey, winning six of his last seven starts.
Sorokin and Shesterkin have been two of the better goalies in the league, and as far as team defenses go, the Rangers rank seventh with the Islander right behind them in eight, allowing 2.71 and 2.73 goals per game, respectively.
I expect the first period to be played very tightly, setting the tone for the rest of this game. I can always trust Shesterkin and Sorokin.
My best bet: First-period Under 1.5 (+100 at BetMGM)
Looking to do some NHL betting? Here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) New users at FanDuel can get a no-sweat first bet of up to $1,000! Sign Up Now
B) New users at DraftKings can bet $5 and get $150 in free bets! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2022.
Islanders vs Rangers moneyline analysis
Despite losing their most recent game, the Rangers have been one of the hottest teams in the league, winning seven of their last eight. That being said, they always seem to struggle whenever they play against their cross-town rivals.
In the two games played this season, the Islanders have outscored the Rangers 7-3 even though NYR outshot them in both of those contests. In the last meeting at MSG, the Rangers let a lead slip away in the third period, so tonight they will hope to play a more complete 60-minute game.
Considering the Isles have won just once over their last five games and have been completely outshot in four of those, the Rangers have certainly been the better of the two teams of late.
Even though the Rangers couldn’t find a way to keep their winning streak alive against the Penguins, they still played a strong enough game to win and they'll carry that momentum into tonight.
Islanders vs Rangers Over/Under analysis
There has certainly been a theme of the Under hitting when the Rangers and Islanders get together. In the last eight meetings, the Under has gone 6-1-1 and a lot of that has to do with the consistently strong goaltending.
Both of these teams have been very strong defensively for the majority of the season and that should be the case once again tonight.
An area that stands out about both teams is their power play. The Islanders haven’t scored a goal on the man advantage in their last five games and the Rangers unit went 0-for-3 in their most recent game against Pittsburgh.
Igor Shesterkin against Ilya Sorokin is always the storyline when the Rangers and Islanders matchup and I think they'll steal the show once again tonight.
Islanders vs Rangers betting trend to know
The Under is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs Rangers.
Islanders vs Rangers game info
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date: | Thursday, December 22, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | MSG, MSGSN |
