New York Islanders vs New York Rangers Prediction, 12/22/2022 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: New York Islanders vs New York Rangers

Date: Thursday, December 22, 2022

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Islanders (+146) Rangers (-178)

Madison Square Garden is the location where the New York Rangers (18-11-5) will try to beat the New York Islanders (18-13-2) on Thursday. The odds on this game have New York at +146 while New York is opening at -178. The total is 6.

The New York Islanders had a decent effort after finishing in a 0-0 tie against the Avalanche in their previous outing. The Islanders didn't have their best offensive outing in this game. While out there on the ice, they ended the night with no scores out of the 26 shots they tried. Additionally, they had 1 chance on the power play but weren't able to net one. New York had 4 penalty minutes in this matchup.

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At even strength, the Islanders have conceded 71 goals while earning 84 of their own. New York Islanders opponents have earned 100 power play opportunities (21st in the NHL) and have a total of 19 goals in those attempts. Pertaining to their scoring capabilities, the New York Islanders have accounted for 104 goals (16th in the NHL) this year and have allowed 90. New York has taken 1,027 shots and has a shooting percentage of 10.1%. For the year, they have scored 38 points and their points percentage comes in at .576. The Islanders so far have had 1,067 shots tried against them and have earned a save percentage of .916. New York has accounted for 98 power play chances and they have notched 20 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 20.41%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin has been involved in 97 games over the course of his pro hockey career. He has an overall mark of 49-34-12 and he was named the starter in 94 games. The opposition has been able to score 219 goals against Sorokin in his professional hockey career and his goals against average per contest is 2.34. Sorokin has had 2,883 shot attempts against him and has amassed 2,664 total saves. His save percentage currently sits at .924 for his 5,615 minutes between the pipes. In his career, Sorokin has 66 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .702.

In their last contest, New York faced off against the Penguins in a game where the Rangers ended up taking the loss by a tally of 3-2. They had 3 power play opportunities in this outing but weren't able to put one in the back of the net. The Rangers tallied 2 goals of the 28 shots on goal they tried.

New York has taken 1,099 shots (7th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shooting percentage of 10.01%, while allowing the other team 993 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 80.20% on their oppositions 101 power play tries, and their save percentage sits at 90.7%. They have a tally of 103 chances on the power play and they have earned a power play rate of 23.30%. The Rangers have scored 86 goals at even strength and 24 goals (15th in the league) while having more men on the ice. They have permitted 92 goals to be scored by of a combination of 72 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. On the season, the New York Rangers have accumulated 110 goals, 41 points, as well as a points percentage of .603.

Across the ice you are likely to see Igor Shesterkin in net. Teams are averaging 2.33 goals/game and he has relinquished 279 goals overall. Shesterkin's quality start percentage comes out to 69.2% and he has made 83 quality starting assignments in his professional career. He got the starting nod in 120 games and his ice time sits at 7,175 minutes. Shesterkin has accrued a career mark of 78-34-11 and has participated in 125 games. He has recorded 3,497 stops out of the 3,776 shots attempted against him, which gives him a save % of .926.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Guy's Pick: Take the Rangers (-178)

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