Who doesn’t love outdoor hockey? We get a rivalry game out in East Rutherford with the Rangers taking on the Islanders at MetLife Stadium for the NHL Stadium Series, and we have a boat load of potential goal scorers to choose from. Let’s get into some Rangers-Islanders anytime goal scorer options for Sunday’s afternoon game.
Rangers-Islanders Anytime Goal Scorer
Two solid-to-good offenses, two pedestrian defenses and a whole bunch of worthy goal-scoring options — that’s what we like to see when taking swings on anytime goal scorers. And it’s an especially good time when that game is an outdoor Stadium Series game between NHL rivals.
Yes, the Rangers and Islanders are not exactly outliers on offense. Both are neck and neck around league median in Corsi, Fenwick, expected goals and high-danger chances for, so they’re both maintaining possession and getting pucks on net at standard rates.
However, there is an edge to be found with the Islanders defense at five-on-five; it is sixth worst in expected goals against at even strength and fifth worst in high-danger chances against. Now, that has not led to the Isles getting obliterated on defense — they have allowed three goals or fewer in four of the last five — but they are catching a hot Rangers team that has won six straight and scored seven goals in two of those games. This team has snipers, and the Islanders are suspect.
OK, great. We know which team we’re targeting. Now we just have to figure out who on the Rangers gives us the best chance of winning an anytime goal bet.
Rangers Goal Scorer Odds
| Player | DraftKings Odds | BetMGM Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Artemi Panarin | +130 | +135 |
| Chris Kreider | +140 | +165 |
| Vincent Trocheck | +160 | +210 |
| Mika Zibanejad | +175 | +190 |
| Alexis Lafreniere | +215 | +270 |
| Kaapo Kakko | +370 | +500 |
| Jimmy Vesey | +380 | +400 |
| Jonny Brodzinski | +450 | +500 |
Chris Kreider is going to get some love since he netted a hat trick on Thursday, but he’s also just +165 on BetMGM and +140 on DraftKings. There is definitely more value to be found out there. And no, we’re not going to go total chalk and just pick Artemi Panarin.
Vincent Trocheck in particular jumps out when you compare the lines. The value isn’t really there on DraftKings at +160 — third shortest on the team — but at BetMGM he jumps all the way to +210. That trails Mika Zibanejad, who is 10th on the Rangers in individual Corsi and ninth in Fenwick — Trocheck is fourth on the team in both. He is a leading possessor of the puck and gets his shots through, so even though his 16 goals on the season aren’t elite, we know he will get his shots at putting the puck on net.
Playing with Panarin and Alexis Lafreniere gives Trocheck a couple of top threats as well, opening up some holes that he could exploit. Centering the top power play also doesn’t hurt, even if the Islanders are near the bottom of the league in penalties committed.
We’re never going more than a sprinkle on these goal scorer bets, but Trocheck looks the most worth a play from this game at +210 on BetMGM.
Best Rangers-Islanders NHL Anytime Goal Scorer Bet: Vincent Trocheck (+210 at BetMGM)
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