It’s time for bragging rights to be renewed again and while I know the Islanders have dominated this series over the last three years, going 11-1, I can’t help but think the Rangers are feeling they are due a bit… and the difference right now is that BOTH teams are playing very good hockey coming into the game, something that hasn’t been the case for while…

Some Ek’s Factors:

Seeing Canucks in their sleep…
Both teams are coming off of early week wins at home against the first place Canucks..The Rangers eeking out a 2-1 victory on Monday, while the Islanders were more dominant on Tuesday night winning 5-2. The most impressive part of the Isles victory on Tuesday is how the Isles played with the lead in the third period. They took a season high 17 shots in a period where you would expect the Canucks to be playing all offense…The best defense is a 17 shot period!

Isles Injuries Hitting Hard...
Still no Martin, and Andrew Ladd is out indefinitely, Casey Cizikas could miss a month with a lower body injury...official line is 2-3 weeks...

The Five v Fivelanders…
Many of these two teams stats are similar, however 5 v 5 is where the Islanders have been the way better team..When it comes to goal differential 5 v 5, the Islanders are a +12, while the Rangers are a -4.

Streaking in Brooklyn…
The Isles have put up points in the last 6 home games. The Isles are also 6-0-0 versus their division, which ties them for their best start EVER. The last time the Islanders started off 6-0-0 versus their own division was 1982-83…That team was pretty good if I remember correctly.

Special Teams…
The Rangers are 29th on the road in the penalty kill…Killing off only 69%.

Rangers Will Get Their Shots…
Despite going 0-4 versus the Islanders last season the Rangers outshot the Islanders badly and averaged over 41 shots per game last year versus the Islanders…

What happens tonight?

I will add my pick here prior to the game. Last game was my first attempt at predicting the Islanders this year and I predicted a 5-3 Islanders win…The Isles won 5-2…So you will want to be back for my pick later on today…The problem with being so right in your last pick is the pressure mounts for the next game! I need some time to think on this one…

Tonight’s pick: Rangers 3-2

What do you think happens tonight?

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