5 Bold Predictions: New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders

Feb 16, 2015; Uniondale, NY, USA; the New York Rangers celebrate a win over the New York Islanders during the third period at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The Rangers defeated the Islanders 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

– Schedule hurts Isles

The Islanders have the misfortune of being hurt by their schedule for this matchup with the Rangers, as they will be on the road playing the Toronto Maple Leafs the day before. Despite most teams struggling on the second half of back-to-backs, the Islanders have been very good.

On zero day’s rest, the Islanders are 9-4 in their last 13 games. That is a really impressive record for the Islanders, but traveling to-and-from Canada is generally not a fun thing to do, and their opponent will be rested. The Rangers’ last game was a victory against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night, so they will be in their own beds waiting for the Islanders on Tuesday.

In such an important game it’s unfortunate that both teams aren’t on the same rest, but in the NHL with the lengthy schedule, teams run into games like this often. The fact that the Islanders are at home should boost their energy, but if they have tired legs from Toronto, it could be difficult to overcome against a talented Rangers team.

Next: New face to the rivalry