The New York Islanders and New York Rangers open their 2021 NHL regular season against each other Thursday with a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at Madison Square Garden. Below, we analyze the Islanders-Rangers NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Islanders at Rangers: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:10 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Islanders -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Rangers -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Islanders -1.5 (+230) | Rangers +1.5 (-295)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Islanders at Rangers: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov (19-14-6, 2.62 GAA, .914 SV%) vs. Igor Shesterkin (10-2-0, 2.52 GAA, .932 SV%)
Varlamov is confirmed to start over rookie Ilya Sorokin, but that will be a battle to watch all season. Varlamov really struggled against the rival Rangers last season. He was 0-2-1 with a 4.64 GAA and .857 SV% in three games.
Shesterkin and Alexandar Georgiev will hold down the fort, as veteran and fan-favorite Henrik Lundqvist left via free agency. Shesterkin showed in glimpses that he is equal to the task, but it will be interesting to see how he responds over a full season. He did not face the Islanders in 2019-20.
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Islanders at Rangers: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Rangers 5, Islanders 4
Money line (ML)
The RANGERS (-105) are actually short underdogs on their home ice, but really the oddsmakers are considering this a coin-flip game in the opener. New York not only has the exciting rookie backstop Shesterkin in the crease, but Alexis Lafreniere, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, makes his debut.
Offense shouldn’t be a problem for the Rangers, as the rookie joins last season’s second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko, Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. Look for the home side to edge out the Islanders in this first of many battles this season.
Against the spread (ATS)
The Rangers (+1.5, -295) are not worth the risk of nearly three times your potential return for just a little insurance. Over the long-term it’s just not a good strategy. Simply take the money line and enjoy.
AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 6 (-105) might be my favorite play on the entire NHL card for Thursday. Varlamov really struggled against the Blueshirts in 2019-20, and this season’s New York offense might actually be a little better. This is going to be a fun game to watch, and the Over should come in rather easily.
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