Free Picks: New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders

The Islanders are one of the top teams in the NHL right now. Prepared to take on the New York Rangers, I stay away from taking any team on the Moneyline in this one. Instead, I focus on the productivity of the Islanders’ offense against the Rangers’ defense this season for my pick.

Ahead of their contest against the New York Islanders, the Rangers are well aware that a shot at the postseason is in jeopardy. The slightly above-average Rangers are teetering on playoff hockey, but with so little time left in the NHL regular season, the Rangers cannot afford another slip-up.

With that being said, the Rangers certainly have a favorable schedule down the line. Unfortunately for them, Friday night is not one of those games.

The Isles enter this game in top spot in the East Division. While their road to the playoffs is paved smooth, the Islanders want that ever so important first overall spot. With teams chasing them, the Islanders cannot lose momentum.

For this free NHL prediction, I like how strong the Rangers’ goaltending is. Their defense has allowed NYR to stay in competitive games. But for my wager, I am confident in taking the under home team goals (Islanders).

In three games this season against the Rangers, the Islanders have scored a total of 6 goals. While that averages out to two goals per game (quick math), the Islanders scored 4 of those 6 in only one contest. Other than that explosiveness from their offense, the Islanders have been relatively tame against the Rangers.

Despite being a fringe playoff team, the Rangers do a solid job in stopping the opposition. New York is actually above average in both goals for and goals against. It just so happens that the Rangers are in one of the toughest divisions in the NHL.

But focusing on the Islanders, I wouldn’t necessarily consider them a high-scoring team. Don’t get me wrong: The Islanders are a Cup contender this season, but they aren’t producing goals like some other teams.

The Rangers have kept the Islanders’ offense at bay in 2 of 3 games this season. I am confident in taking the under for this free NHL pick.

• NYI have averaged 2.20 goals per game against NYR in last 10.
• The Islanders average 3.03 goals per game this season.
• NYR allow 2.71 goals against per game.
• The Rangers rank 8^th in goals against on the road.