The New York Islanders (29-22-15) and the New York Rangers (44-19-4) meet Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Islanders vs. Rangers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Islanders are coming off a disappointing 4-3 loss in overtime at home against the Ottawa Senators. The good news is that they scored, as the Isles had been shut out in consecutive games on the road against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday and the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday.
The Rangers pounded the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-4 on Sunday in Pittsburgh, and New York has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games, while going 15-3-1 in the previous 19 outings dating back to Jan. 27. The Rangers cashed the Over in the past 2 games, scoring 10 goals and allowing 10 goals.
The last time these teams faced each other is worth mentioning, although it should be taken with a grain of salt. The Rangers outlasted the Islanders 6-5 in overtime in a Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. In a scheduling quirk, the last time these rivals met indoors was actually Dec. 22, 2022. They meet 3 more times between Sunday and April 13.