New York Rangers (34-16-3) vs. New York Islanders (22-18-13)
The New York Rangers take on the New York Islanders on Sunday, February 18th 2024 at MetLife Stadium. The puck drops at 3:00 PM ET and will be televised on ABC. The Rangers sit second in the Metropolitan division while the Islanders are sixth. This NHL picks and prediction piece will analyze both teams’ strengths and weaknesses to offer betting insights for this rivalry matchup.
The Rangers offense is led by elite scorers Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad. Panarin’s 31 goals and 68 points lead the team, while Kreider adds scoring punch with 24 goals. Zibanejad also has 48 points, giving New York a potent top line. Their quick strike ability could pose issues for the Islanders defense and goaltending. However, the Islanders do have strong defensive players like Noah Dobson who could slow down the Rangers attack.
The Islanders counter with Mathew Barzal, Noah Dobson and trade deadline addition Bo Horvat powering their offense. Barzal leads the team with 56 points while Horvat has added 21 goals since coming over from Vancouver. Together they make the Islanders dangerous, but the Rangers do have one of the best goalies in Igor Shesterkin who could stymie the Islanders attack. His 2.78 GAA and .902 save percentage show he is capable of stealing games.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Game Info
| When: | Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET |
| Where: | MetLife Stadium |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin vs. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin
Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin has played 34 games this season, compiling a 21-12 record with a 2.78 GAA and .902 save percentage. He’s faced 950 shots against, allowing 93 goals while making 857 saves. Shesterkin is one of the best goalies in the league and is more than capable of shutting down the Islanders scorers. The Islanders will need to pepper him with shots from all angles to have a chance at solving the young netminder.
Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin has suited up for 38 games, managing a 16-12-10 record with a 3.04 GAA and .911 save percentage. He’s seen 1288 shots against, allowing 114 goals while stopping 1174 shots in 2249 minutes between the pipes. Sorokin has also stopped 8 of 13 shootout attempts for a .615 save percentage in the skills competition. He’s a capable goalie but has been inconsistent at times this season. If the Rangers’ lethal offense overwhelms him early, it could be a long night for the Islanders backstop. He’ll need to bring his A-game right from puck drop to match Shesterkin save for save.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game are currently TBD, reflecting the anticipation and unpredictability surrounding this matchup. Bettors should keep a close eye on developments, especially any shifts in moneyline and puckline odds, to gauge the market’s confidence in either team.
New York Rangers Betting Trends
The Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 games and have one of the best records in the NHL over the past month. They are also a solid 15-13 against the spread (ATS) on the road this season. The over has hit in 3 of their last 5 contests and in 12 of their last 25 home matchups. All positive trends that indicate they should fare well in this rivalry showdown.
New York Islanders Betting Trends
The Islanders are 3-2 straight up in their last 5, but just 3-2 ATS over that stretch. They are an even 14-14 ATS at home as well. The over has hit in just 2 of their previous 5 outings but has hit in 15 of 28 games at MetLife stadium. The trends are a mixed bag for New York, making this game tough to predict.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders 2/18/24 Betting Picks
Considering the statistical analysis and betting trends, the Rangers seem to have the edge in this matchup, primarily due to their offensive consistency and goaltending strength. However, the Islanders’ ability to perform under pressure should not be underestimated, making this game a potentially close contest.
In terms of betting, the safer pick appears to lean towards the Rangers, especially with their recent form and head-to-head performance. However, the Islanders offer value as underdogs, particularly for bettors looking for higher returns. For the over/under, considering both teams’ recent trends, the over might be worth considering, especially given the offensive capabilities on display. Bettors looking for the best betting websites should seek those offering competitive odds on the Rangers’ moneyline and the over on total goals.
