The New York Islanders (18-13-2) take on the New York Rangers (18-11-5) at Madison Square Garden in New York on Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Islanders vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Islanders were on the short end of a 1-0 shootout loss on the road Monday against the Colorado Avalanche, as Ilya Sorokin picked up the shutout, but OTL. He matched Alexander Georgiev shot-for-shot in regulation and overtime, but he came up just short in the shootout.
The Rangers were bested 3-2 by the Pittsburgh Penguins on the road Tuesday, snapping a 7-game win streak. The Rangers are looking for a rare home win in the series, as the road team has picked up victories in 5 of the past 6 meetings.
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Islanders at Rangers odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Islanders +140 (bet $100 to win $140) | Rangers -160 (bet $160 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-190) | Rangers -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Islanders at Rangers projected goalies
Ilya Sorokin (10-10-1, 2.36 GAA, .926 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Igor Shesterkin (16-5-4, 2.42 GAA, .918 SV%, 1 SO)
Sorokin was on the short end of that double shutout in Colorado, before losing 1-0 in the shootout. It’s hard to believe he is winless in his last 6 starts and 7 appearances overall. He is 0-4-1 with a 2.93 GAA and .903 SV with 1 SO in 5 December starts.
Shesterkin allowed 3 goals on 24 shots in a 3-2 setback in Pittsburgh, snapping a 6-game win streak. He is an impressive 6-1-1 with a 2.09 GAA and .929 SV% in 8 appearances in December.
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Islanders at Rangers picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 3, Rangers 2
Moneyline
The road team has dominated in this series lately so playing ISLANDERS (+140) is worth a roll of the dice as a result.
While the Islanders have struggling to grab wins lately, they are still 7-3 in the last 10 inside the Eastern Conference, and 20-8 in the last 28 games inside the Metropolitan Division. Plus, the road team has won 5 of the last 6 meetings, with the Isles taking 8 of the previous 10 battles overall.
Puck line/Against the spread
If you want a little insurance, Islanders +1.5 (-190) will cost you almost 2 times your potential return, and that’s a little too expensive for me. Just play the Isles straight up, or go the other way.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5 (-110) is the side to be on.
Sorokin and Shesterkin are tremendous goaltenders, and usually we get their best when facing the crosstown rivals.
The Under 11-3 in the previous 14 meetings in this series, with the Under cashing at a 6-1-1 clip in the last 8 battles at Madison Square Garden, too.
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