NY RANGERS vs NY ISLANDERS NHL Odds, Pick & Preview

The NY RANGERS and the NY ISLANDERS will both be gunning for a victory on 11/15/2018 at 7:05 PM when they meet in a game matchup.

NY RANGERS vs NY ISLANDERS
When: 7:00 PM  ET, Thursday, November 15, 2018
Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

TV: 7:05 PM
LINE: 0
PREDICTION: NY ISLANDERS , NY RANGERS

Oddsmakers currently have the NY RANGERS listed as 115-moneyline favorites versus the NY ISLANDERS, while the game’s total is sitting at 6.

In what was expected to be a rebuilding year for both franchises, the New York Rangers and New York Islanders are each battling for first place in the tightly contested Metropolitan Division. The Rangers are on a tear and will carry a seven-game point streak into Thursday’s matchup at the Islanders, who have dominated the rivalry since the start of the 2015-16 season.

The Rangers made it two straight with a 2-1 win over visiting Vancouver on Monday night, the team’s fifth one-goal decision during the 6-0-1 stretch. “We can beat any team in the league right now,” goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said. “There’s a few teams that are extremely consistent, and they’ve separated themselves a little bit. The rest of the pack is going to be a battle all year and we’re in it. That’s important.” The Islanders have move into first place in the division following a five-game winning streak, only to drop three in a row before routing the Canucks 5-2 on Tuesday night. The Islanders have dominated the Rangers over the past three seasons, winning 11 of 12 overall and all six meetings at Barclays Center.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, MSG-Plus2, MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE RANGERS (9-7-2): Rookies played a huge part in New York’s latest win as 20-year-old Brett Howden delivered the game-winning goal in the third period after Filip Chytil, 19, had tied it with his first career tally. “We don’t look at it as a rebuild year,” Howden said. “We believe we’ve got a great team here and we’re looking to build this year and be a contending team. We’re not looking for three years down the road.” Coach David Quinn changed his lines during Tuesday’s win, shifting Chytil from centering the fourth line to playing the wing on the No. 1 unit.

ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (9-6-2): New York could be short of bodies for Thursday’s matchup as both forwards Andrew Ladd (lower body) and Casey Cizikas (undisclosed) were not at practice Wednesday after leaving Tuesday’s game due to injuries. “They were a little nicked up, so they are being assessed,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “We’ll see where they are tomorrow. Can’t confirm or deny they’re in or out because I haven’t heard yet.” Forward Matt Martin (upper body) practiced for the first time since he was hurt but Trotz ruled him out against the Rangers.

OVERTIME

1. The Islanders are 6-0-0 against the Metropolitan Division this season.

2. Lundqvist needs one win to move past Jacques Plante (437) for sole possession of seventh on the all-time wins list.

3. Islanders G Thomas Greiss is 3-0-1 in his last four starts overall and 3-0-1 in his last four versus the Rangers.

PREDICTION: Islanders 4, Rangers 3

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