New York Islanders vs New York Rangers Prediction 25 September 2026
🔊 The New York derby is back just days after a dramatic first encounter. The Rangers were in control last time out but let the game slip away, as the Islanders scored four unanswered goals to seal the win. Now, the rivalry shifts to UBS Arena, where the Islanders will look to replicate their success in front of their home fans. For the Rangers, this will be their final preseason outing before they kick off the regular season on September 29.
Head-to-Head
📊 The first September clash between these two sides delivered a storyline few could have predicted at halftime. The Rangers surged ahead 3-0, only for the Islanders to rally with four unanswered goals and snatch a 4-3 victory. Matthew Schaefer registered three points (1+2), matching Matias Maccelli’s tally of three (2+1). In the overall head-to-head history, the Islanders have claimed 33 wins from 58 encounters, while the Rangers have secured 25 victories. The average goals total across these meetings stands at 5.49.
Head-to-head statistics New York Islanders - New York Rangers
New York Islanders Team Overview
After a narrow 2-1 defeat to New Jersey, the Islanders showcased a completely different mentality against the Rangers. Their power play was especially effective-three of their four goals came with the man advantage. The lineup will look different this time: Semyon Varlamov is expected to start in goal for the full 60 minutes, whereas in the previous derby he came on in the second half and stopped all nine shots he faced.
There’s another significant boost for the Islanders. Alexander Romanov is set to make his first appearance since suffering a right shoulder injury on November 18, 2025. Since the 2022/23 season, the defenseman has played 236 games for the Islanders and delivered 533 hits-the third-highest total on the team over that span. In the morning skate, he was paired with Ryan Pulock.
Match Results: New York Islanders
New York Rangers Team Overview
The start of training camp proved challenging, with losses to New Jersey (2-3) and the Islanders (3-4). However, ahead of their second derby, the Rangers finally picked up their first win, once again facing the Devils and edging them out in a shootout (4-3). Now, Mike Sullivan’s side will wrap up their preseason at the very venue where they recently squandered a three-goal lead.
One of the standout newcomers remains Pavel Dorofeyev, who has already found the net against the Islanders. Last regular season, he tallied 64 points (37 goals, 27 assists) in 82 games for Vegas, then added 16 points (12 goals, 4 assists) in 22 playoff appearances. The Rangers have undergone a significant overhaul this summer: alongside Dorofeyev, they have brought in Oliver Bjorkstrand, Eeli Tolvanen, Sean Durzi, Marcus Pettersson, and Joonas Korpisalo.
Match Results: New York Rangers
⭐️ Editor’s Prediction
The first clash highlighted just how quickly momentum can shift in this derby: the Islanders battled back from a 0-3 deficit to claim victory. Now, the Isles return home, where their +1.5 puck line has covered in nine straight preseason head-to-head meetings. The broader home trend is just as impressive-New York have kept it within this margin in 16 of their last 18 exhibition games on home ice. For this bet, the Islanders don’t need to win the derby again-they simply need to avoid losing by more than one goal. My pick: New York Islanders +1.5.
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Betting Tips: New York Islanders - New York Rangers
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