The New York Rangers are hitting their stride at the right time, as Henrik Lundqvist and company have stitched together two straight victories. They’ll be gunning for three in a row at Madison Square Garden later tonight when they host the ever-dangerous New York Islanders.
Read on below for an in-depth breakdown of this Metropolitan Division clash and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of Detroit vs. Boston.
Line: New York Islanders (+125) at New York Rangers (-145); total: 5.0 – view all NHL lines
TV Broadcast: MSG+
Betting on the New York Islanders (44-26-9, 97 pts)
The New York Islanders stretched their unbeaten run to two games with a nerve-wracking 4-3 overtime victory over the league-leading Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. It was a critical victory for the Islanders who clinched a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons.
Starring for the Islanders in this momentous victory was rookie Christopher Gibson. New York’s fourth-string goaltender impressed in his first career NHL start, making 29 saves as he thwarted time and again one of the league’s best offensive lines. Role players have stepped up big time for the Islanders of late, with New York missing the services of some of their key stars due to injury. They are currently without starting goalie Jaroslav Halak, defensemen Travis Hamonic and Calvin de Haan, and forward Cal Clutterback.
It’s interesting to note, however, that those injuries haven’t hampered one bit the Islanders’ lethal attack. In fact, they have scored a whopping nine goals over their last two games. The Islanders are 10th in the NHL in scoring this season, averaging 2.8 goals per game. They will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing a Rangers defense that’s surrendering 2.6 goals per game this season, 16th in the NHL. In fact, they scored a whopping six goals against the Rangers in their last meeting on March 6.
The Islanders are 3-0 SU in their last three meetings with the Rangers.
The New York Rangers extended their winning streak to two games with a thrilling come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the play-off bound Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night. It was a huge victory for the Rangers who remained two points clear of the Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division standings.
Key to the Rangers’ resurgence has been their incredible offense. The Rangers have scored a total of seven goals during their two-game unbeaten run. Providing the impetus for this late-season surge for the Rangers are Derek Stepan and Chris Kreider. They have scored five goals combined the past two games. The dynamic duo also dished out three assists during this two-match span. Stepan, who grabbed a double against Tampa Bay, has now scored a career-high 22 goals this season. The Rangers are currently sixth in the NHL in scoring, averaging 2.9 goals per game this campaign.
For the Rangers to continue their winning run tonight, they will need Henrik Lundqvist to continue his superb play. Lundqvist was sensational in their last game against the Lightning, stopping 39 shots for his 35th win this season. 19 of those saves came in a one-sided first period wherein the Rangers took too many penalties.
The Rangers need their ever-reliable goalie now more than ever with captain Ryan McDonagh out for the foreseeable future with a hand injury. The Rangers will take comfort in the fact, however, that they are 4-1-1 this season with McDonagh out of the lineup. Lundqvist, for that matter, is 4-1-0 during that span.
The Rangers are 5-5 SU and 6-2-2 OU in their last 10 home games.
