Prediction published on 12/27/25, 1:27 PM
by
Taavi Pailk
in
NHL Picks
NHL action resumes on Saturday with this season’s second Battle of New York between the Rangers and Islanders at the UBS Arena.
The teams first clashed in 2025-26 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 8, and the Islanders embarrassed their neighbors with a 5-0 victory. It was the Rangers’ seventh home game of the season, and Mike Sullivan saw his side being shut out for the fifth time already this season. Since then, the Blueshirts have failed to score in only one home game, but their struggles at MSG have continued.
The Rangers have the fewest home wins in the Eastern Conference (5) but lead the league with 14 road wins. Adding one on the board against their neighbors would be particularly sweet this weekend.
The Islanders have been vulnerable recently, losing three consecutive games before beating the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Tuesday. Patrick Roy’s men came back from a 1-0 deficit, becoming only the fourth team this season with at least 10 comeback wins.
Roy’s team has struggled to generate offense without No. 1 center Bo Horvat, who has missed five games with an upper-body injury. The team is hoping to see him return on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Rangers have been without two key players recently: J.T. Miller up front and Adam Fox on defense.