New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders 2/18/24 – In an enthralling NHL regular season clash, the New York Rangers (34-16-3) are set to face off against the New York Islanders (22-18-13) in a battle of New York supremacy on Sunday, February 18, 2024. The Rangers, boasting a strong win-loss record, are looking to extend their dominance, while the Islanders aim to climb up the standings. This matchup not only presents an exciting game for fans but also offers intriguing opportunities for those interested in free hockey betting picks and tips.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders 2/18/24
When: Sunday, February 18, 2024 at 3:00 PM ET
Where: MetLife Stadium
TV: ABC
Stream: NHL.TV
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders 2/18/24 Betting Odds:
| Team | PUCKLINE | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rangers | TBD | TBD | TBD |  |
| Islanders | TBD | TBD | TBD | |
| ||||
The Huddle: #StadiumSeries Edition. pic.twitter.com/CMrVsHi84s
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) February 16, 2024
Goaltender Igor Shesterkin vs. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin
In net for the Rangers will be Igor Shesterkin, who has posted a 21-12-1 record along with a 2.78 goals against average and .902 save percentage over 34 games played this season. Shesterkin has faced 950 shots against, allowing 93 goals while making 857 saves. He has registered four shutouts and stopped 93.3% of shootout attempts. With Shesterkin between the pipes, the Rangers have one of the top netminders in the league and he provides New York with a decided advantage over most opponents.
Starting for the Islanders will be Ilya Sorokin, who has a 16-12-10 record to go along with a 3.04 goals against average and .911 save percentage over 38 games played. In nearly 2250 minutes on the ice, Sorokin has faced 1288 shots while allowing 114 goals and making 1174 saves. He has zero shutouts on the year and has stopped 61.5% of shootout attempts. The Islanders will need the inconsistent Sorokin to raise his game if they want to keep pace with Shesterkin and the Rangers dangerous offense. His peripherals have been mediocre to this point, which is a concern matching up with one of the highest scoring attacks in the NHL.
Rangers Bringing Offensive Firepower
The Rangers boast one of the most potent attacks in the league, led by Artemi Panarin’s 68 points. Panarin is joined by Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad to form a lethal first line that the Islanders will have trouble containing. New York’s offense ranks third overall by averaging 3.73 goals per game. They torched the Islanders for five goals in their last meeting and will be licking their chops at the prospects of facing Sorokin’s inconsistent play in net.
Islanders Led By Barzal and Dobson
Center Mathew Barzal guides the Islanders offense with 15 goals and 41 assists this year. Young defenseman Noah Dobson is also having a breakout campaign, pacing all New York blue liners with 55 points. The Islanders can provide challenges for the Rangers defense with their speed and skill, but they will need some of their secondary scorers to chip in as well. Consistent goal scoring has hindered New York all season, as they rank 20th overall by averaging just 2.92 tallies per contest.
NHL Betting Odds: TBD, Over/Under: TBD
As the betting odds remain to be determined, insights and recommendations hinge on both teams’ recent performances and trends. The Rangers’ stronger win-loss record positions them as potential favorites, but the unpredictability of derby games makes the outcome hard to predict.
Trends
New York Rangers Betting Trends
Rangers are 4-1 in their last 5 games.
New York Rangers are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the spread.
Rangers are 15-13 in their road games against the spread.
The totals have gone OVER in 3 of Rangers’ last 5 games.
The totals have gone OVER in 12 of Rangers’ 25 last games at home.
New York Islanders Betting Trends
Islanders are 3-2 in their last 5 games.
New York Islanders are 3-2 in their last 5 games against the spread.
Islanders are 14-11 in their road games against the spread.
The totals have gone OVER in 2 of Islanders’ last 5 games.
The totals have gone OVER in 15 of Islanders’ 28 last games at home.
New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders Betting Picks
Based on the analysis and recent trends, this game presents a closely contested battle. The Rangers, with their robust offensive lineup and solid goaltending, might have a slight edge, especially considering their performance against the spread in road games. However, the Islanders’ capability to surprise and their resilience under Sorokin’s goaltending cannot be underestimated.
For bettors looking for value, considering the Rangers for a win might be prudent, but the OVER on totals could also present a promising avenue, given both teams’ recent scoring trends. For those exploring options on premier betting websites, prop bets on key players like Panarin or Barzal to score might offer additional value, considering their pivotal roles in their respective teams’ offenses.
Score Prediction: Rangers 4, Islanders 3.
