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Islanders vs. Rangers: Betting odds, lineups, Derick Brassard redemption time

By Michel Anderson |
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: Derick Brassard #10 of the New York Islanders skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 01: Derick Brassard #10 of the New York Islanders skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on November 01, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Lightning 5-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders makes a first period save on Brett Howden #21 of the New York Rangers at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – JANUARY 16: Semyon Varlamov #40 of the New York Islanders makes a first period save on Brett Howden #21 of the New York Rangers at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

With the way the last game ended between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers Derick Brassard has to have redemption on his mind.

There’s no question that New York Islanders forward Derick Brassard cross-checked Jester Fast with 54 seconds remaining in regulation. The question is did Jesper Fast dive? (Yeah, he did.) Or was it the right time to make such a call by the officials?

Either way, Brassard was given a penalty and the Rangers scored on the power play to take the full two points. Now, how will Derick Brassard help the Islanders get a much-needed regulation win?

And how will the rest of his team perform around him?

The Rangers were lucky to get a win against the Islanders the last time out. Mika Zibanejad had a goal awarded to him by the Toronto war room. Tony DeAngelo scored while momentum was squarely on the Islanders side. And Kreider added the deciding goal on a contentious call late in the game.

The Islanders may have lost but they deserved to get something out of the game based on their effort. Ideally, they hit the ice at MSG today with that same effort.

Tale of the Tape

Don’t give the Rangers needless chances on the power play. With a 21 percent efficiency, they’ll make the Islanders pay. Not that they need to be told, they were there last time when the Rangers converted on two power plays. The last one being the game-winner with 24.6 seconds left in the game.

Betting Odds

The Rangers are even money today, courtesy of the Action Network. As the home team and with a 2-0 record and a +5 goal differential against the Isles recently, but the Islanders are favored tonight with a -108 Moneyline at the time of writing.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 13: Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers makes the second period save as Derick Brassard #10 of the New York Islanders looks for a reboundat Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 13: Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers makes the second period save as Derick Brassard #10 of the New York Islanders looks for a reboundat Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

. Derick Brassard. C. . New York Islanders

After the last time the Islanders and Rangers met, Derick Brassard has some unfinished business with his former club. Not only did Brassard draw a cross-checking penalty that cost the Islanders the game, but it was at the hands of a terrible dive from Jesper Fast.

Brassard hasn’t been great over the last few games. He’s had chances to put up some production but has just one point at 5on5. He needs to step up.

So with the last game in the back of his mind, Brassard will want to atone for his sins and put one (or hopefully more) past Alexandar Georgiev.

New York Rangers. . Alexandar Georgiev. G.

The 23-year-old Bulgarian had been lights out against the Islanders. In five games against the Isles, he holds a 4-1-0 record with an average 1.40GAA and 0.950SV%.

There’s just something about Georgiev that the Islande can’t seem to solve. Every time he’s in net, he transforms into a brick wall. It’s not as if Georgiev is some sort of Vezina-level goalie. In 22 games played this year he holds a 12-9-1 record with a 3.06GAA and 0.914SV%. But when it’s the Islanders he’s totally different.

Boy, do I miss Henrik Lundqvist who had a 30-21-7 record with an average 2.41GAA and 0.915SV% against the Islanders.

DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 17: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders plays the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 17, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – DECEMBER 17: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders plays the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on December 17, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Lineups

New York Islanders

Josh Bailey seems good to go after missing the last two periods against the Carolina Hurricanes. Ideally, Bailey comes in and starts playing like the top-six player we know he is.

Thomas Greiss gets another start after some strong performances over the last week. It couldn’t come at a better time with Semyon Varlamov wobbling in net lately. Who knows what happened for Thomas Greiss to have that dip in form a few weeks ago. At this point, it doesn’t matter, so long as he’s back to normal.

New York Rangers

After a poor outing against the Columbus Blue Jackets a few days ago, you better believe the Rangers will be ready to play their rivals.

I don’t expect the lines to change at all from that game. Perhaps the only difference will come in the crease with Shesterkin subbing out for Alexandar Georgiev.

Next. Top 5 Isles goals from last decade

I wouldn’t bet against the New York Islanders tonight. I’d be surprised if the Isles fail to register a single win in three attempts against a bottom tier opponent. It’s not impossible, it’s just not likely. Not with Barry Trotz pulling the strings.

Yes, I’m wearing my homer hat. Why do you ask?

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