After recording at least a point in nine of their last 10 games, the New York Rangers have turned their season around and have moved into second place in the Metropolitan Division as a result. The lone regulation loss in that span – a 7-5 setback to the crosstown rival New York Islanders last week – ranks as the only blemish for the Rangers lately, and New York will look to exact some revenge when the clubs square off at Madison Square Garden tonight. Sportsbooks opened the Rangers as -120 home favorites with a total of 6.5.
- The Rangers are 1-6 SU in their last seven games vs divisional opponents.
- The total has gone OVER in six of the Islanders’ last seven games with two days off between games.
- The Islanders are 8-0 SU and 7-1 ATS in their last eight games vs the Rangers (avg. winning margin: 2.13).
Islanders vs Rangers Game Center
Islanders have had the upper hand in this series lately
The Rangers’ tough luck against the Islanders is not new, as New York is on an eight-game skid in the series. New York has won six in a row at MSG heading into the finale of its three-game homestand. Filip Chytil became the first teenager in franchise history to score in four straight contests in Monday’s 2-1 triumph over Dallas when he potted the go-ahead goal early in the third period. Chris Kreider, who scored twice against the Isles, has seven points (four goals, three assists) in his past five games.
Mathew Barzal assisted on Scott Mayfield’s third-period tally in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday to boost his point streak to a season-high five tilts. Barzal notched an assist against the Rangers last week and had a five-point performance in a 7-2 win over the Rangers last January. The Islanders have been flat-out dominant against the Metropolitan this season, going 7-0-0 vs division rivals so far in 2018-19.
Rangers are going UNDER when they play at home
Tailing the UNDER when the Rangers play at home has been a profitable endeavor lately. In their last 11 home games, the UNDER is 8-3, with an average combined score of 4.9 goals. New York’s six-game winning streak in its own rink has seen them post an average winning margin of 1.9 goals.
While the Islanders have been owning divisional matchups of late, it’s been the opposite story for the Rangers. The Rangers are a paltry 1-6 SU in their past seven contests vs Metropolitan Division opponents.
Rangers turn to backup Georgiev in the crease
The Rangers are expected to start backup netminder Alexandar Georgiev tonight. Georgiev (3-2-0, 3.60 goals-against average, .894 save percentage) came on in relief of Henrik Lundqvist against the Islanders last week and surrendered one goal on six shots. The Islanders will counter with Robin Lehner (4-4-1, 2.77 GAA, .915 SV%), who was pulled after allowing three goals on 14 shots in the Isles' aforementioned loss to the Stars.
