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Islanders vs. Rangers: Betting odds, lines, Jean-Gabriel Pageau Intro

By Michel Anderson |
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders celebrates his third period goal against Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
UNIONDALE, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders celebrates his third period goal against Alexandar Georgiev #40 of the New York Rangers at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on January 16, 2020 in Uniondale, New York. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 3-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders (2nd from left) celebrates his power-play goal at 13:35 of the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 21, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Josh Bailey #12 of the New York Islanders (2nd from left) celebrates his power-play goal at 13:35 of the first period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 21, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

The New York Islanders’ new man gets his papers sorted out in time to get his first taste of life as an Islander with a home date against the Rangers.

Let’s keep the good times rolling! After back-to-back 4-1 wins over the Detroit Red Wings and then the San Jose Sharks, the New York Islanders added Jean-Gabriel Pageau at the trade deadline. Now they get to play against the New York Rangers at the Coliseum.

Pageau excited about competing for championships. Related Story

There probably isn’t a better way to get introduced to life as an Islander than playing against the Rangers at the Nassau Coliseum. With the crowd at full voice in a playoff-like atmosphere. It’s poetic.

The Season Series

A win tonight for the Isles would tie the season series between both teams. The Rangers hold a 2-1 season series lead over the Islanders thanks to a 6-2 route and a 3-2 win a few days later last month.

Recently, the Rangers have started to make noise in the Metropolitan Division. They find themselves only six points back of the Islanders and Blue Jackets with an 8-2-0 record over their last ten.

A win tonight won’t dash the Rangers hopes of making the post-season, but it will create a larger gap between the rivals.

Tale of the Tape

It’s funny how both teams are almost exact opposites of one another. The Islanders are a strong defensive team that struggles offensively (including the power play). But for the Rangers, the issue is keeping goals out. They can score a bunch, but the opposition finds just about as much success in hitting the back of the net.

Betting Odds

Thanks to the Action Network the New York Islanders are favored in tonight’s game with an opening -135 money line. But betters have decided to back the Rangers tonight with 53 percent of bets placed going to a Rangers win.

I don’t see an Islanders loss here. After what Lou Lamoriello was able to do and what he tried to do at the deadline the fanbase should be wildly vocal tonight at the Coliseum. Expect the Pageau chant Ottawa Senators fans started years ago the second the new guy hits the ice.

There’s no crowd like a vocal Coliseum crowd. That should get the boys pumped and ready to “geau”.

3. 106. Prediction. 1. 95

OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 5: Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators arrives on the red carpet prior their NHL home opener against the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON – OCTOBER 5: Jean-Gabriel Pageau #44 of the Ottawa Senators arrives on the red carpet prior their NHL home opener against the New York Rangers at Canadian Tire Centre on October 5, 2019 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images) /

Players to Watch

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Shout out to Islanders Manager of Hockey Operations Joanne Holewa for getting Pageau’s visa situation sorted out before tonight’s game against the Rangers. She’s the real MVP.

Thanks to her work, the Islanders get their new guy on the roster for game number one after the trade deadline.

Tonight, in front of the Coliseum crowd we get to see why Lou Lamoriello shipped out three picks and $30 million dollars for the center. Ideally, the Islanders don’t find themselves in penalty trouble, but if they do they’ll have Pageau to rely on to get them out of trouble.

Pageau also loves playing against the Rangers, in 17 games played against them he has 13 points over his career. He’s only scored more points against the Canadiens who he’s played 23 games against.

Artemi Panarin

What a season the 2016 Calder trophy winner is having. Through 60 games played Artemi Panarin has 31 goals and 83 points. He’s been absolutely incredible for the Rangers so far. It would be disingenuous to say that we aren’t jealous.

Over his last five games, Panarin has seven points with two goals and five helpers. He’s only four points away from his previous career-high of 87 points in a season. He probably won’t get to four tonight, but you got think he’s got that in the back of his mind as he suits up to take on a bitter rival.

Don’t forge, Panarin wasn’t in the lineup the last time these two teams met. That also happened to be the only win for the Islanders in the season series.

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) /

Potential Lineups

New York Islanders

Andrew Ladd was one of the few skaters to stay late during the morning skate. Usually, that’s an indication that he’ll be a healthy scratch for tonight’s game. Meaning Josh Bailey, who sat out for a maintenance day, is likely to start in his spot on the third line.

There’s no news to report on the back end. Expect this to be the Isles three defensive pairings the rest of the way. Noah Dobson is going to ride the scratchpad unless there’s an injury or if Johnny Boychuk needs a maintenance day or two.

Semyon Varlamov will get the start for the Islanders. To the surprise of no one. Varlamov has been incredible recently. Aside from a slip up in Colorado, Varlamov has averaged a 0.947SV% and a 1.6GAA. Again, he’s been incredible of late. He’s not coming out of the crease for a while.

Related Story. Semyon Varlamov is on a hot streak

New York Rangers

Kreider-Zibanejad-Buchnevich
Panarin-Strome-Fast
Di Giuseppe-Chytil-Kakko
Lemieux-Howden-Gauthier

Lindgren-Trouba
DeAngelo-Fox
Staal-Smith

Georgiev (Lundqvist)

Both Chris Kreider and Pavel Buchnevich are questionable for today’s game at the Coliseum. Kreider was ill just recently, and Pavel Buchnevich was in a car accident with teammate Igor Shesterkin.

It’s also not clear how the RAngers button line will shape up. Both Brett Howden and Julien Gauthier could be called up for the game or they could be back with the Hartford Wolf Pack. It all depends on how Kreider and Buchnevich are doing and if they can play.

With Shesterkin out, Alexandar Georgiev will get a few more starts for the Rangers.

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Where to Catch the Game:

TV: MSG+2, MSG GO

Radio: 88.7FM, 103.9FM, 1050AM

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