NHL matchups, odds to watch: February 18
Rangers-Islanders, Coyotes-Avalanche, Kings-Penguins highlight three-game slate
NHL.com identifies key gameday matchups and players to watch throughout the 2023-24 season.
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1. New York Rangers at New York Islanders in 2024 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series (3 p.m. ET; ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)
Over 5.5 total goals: -120
Under 5.5 total goals: +100
The Rangers and Islanders meet in the second 2024 Stadium Series game at MetLife Stadium, where the Rangers look to extend their six-game winning streak. The Islanders are 3-4-3 in their past 10 games and have yet to play the Rangers this season. The Islanders were 2-1-0 in three games against the Rangers last season and are 10-5-0 in their past 15 games against them over the past four seasons combined.
Rangers forward Chris Kreider has had points in three of his past four games with six points (four goals, two assists) in the span, including a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. Forward Jimmy Vesey has four points (three goals, one assist) in his past four games, and Kaapo Kakko is on a three-game point streak. Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson has 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) in his past nine games, and forward Mathew Barzal has eight points (three goals, five assists) in his past six games.
2. Arizona Coyotes at Colorado Avalanche (6 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, ALT)
ARI moneyline: +225
COL moneyline: -290
The Coyotes have lost three straight games and visit the Avalanche, who are 4-5-1 in their past 10. Colorado also has just one win in its past six games. The Avalanche rank second in the NHL in goals per game (3.69) this season, while the Coyotes are averaging the seventh-fewest goals per game (2.87). Colorado has the seventh-best power-play percentage in the League (24.3).
Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon ranks second in the NHL in points this season (89 in 55 games) behind Nikita Kucherov (94 in 55) of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Forward Clayton Keller leads Arizona in points (49 in 53 games), and Nick Schmaltz is its leader in power-play goals (eight).
3. Los Angeles Kings at Pittsburgh Penguins (6 p.m. ET; SN-PIT, BSW, SN360, TVAS)
LAK puckline (+1.5 goals): -238
PIT puckline (-1.5 goals): +195
The Kings have won consecutive games and visit the Penguins, who are 4-5-1 in their past 10. Pittsburgh, which will retire Jaromir Jagr's number Sunday, won its only game against Los Angeles this season, 4-3 in overtime on Nov. 9. The Kings are tied for the third-most shots on goal per game (33.5) in the NHL, while the Penguins are close behind in fifth (33.1).
Los Angeles forward Quinton Byfield has 10 points (five goals, five assists) in his past eight games; forward Pierre-Luc Dubois and rookie defenseman Brandt Clarke each has four points in his past four games. For the Penguins, Bryan Rust has scored three goals in his past three games, and captain Sidney Crosby is tied for the 10th-most even-strength points (42 in 51 games) in the NHL this season.
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