NHL January 28, 2026

The Battle of New York shifts to Long Island on Wednesday night, and the Islanders are looking to make a statement in front of their UBS Arena faithful. This rivalry always delivers intensity regardless of standings, and with both teams fighting for playoff positioning in the loaded Metropolitan Division, expect a physical, tight-checking affair. The Islanders enter as -142 home favorites, and there's good reason for that. They've been a different team at UBS Arena this season, feeding off their home crowd and playing a structured defensive game that frustrates opponents.

The Rangers have the firepower with Artemi Panarin leading the charge, but they've been inconsistent on the road this season and sometimes struggle against teams that clog up the neutral zone. Igor Shesterkin is one of the game's elite goaltenders, but even he can be vulnerable behind a defense that occasionally loses its structure in the offensive zone. Meanwhile, Ilya Sorokin has been steady between the pipes for the Islanders, and when he gets the support of a physical team playing with purpose, he's capable of shutting down any opponent.

With a total set at 6.5, oddsmakers are expecting a game that could go either way on the scoring front. Rivalry games in the NHL are notoriously unpredictable, and this Battle of New York installment should be no exception. Both goaltending groups will need to be sharp in what projects as a tightly contested matchup from puck drop to final horn. The Islanders' penalty kill has been improved this season, and their ability to limit high-danger chances at home gives them a tangible edge in this spot.

The Avalanche roll into Canadian Tire Centre as heavy -162 favorites, and it's hard to argue with that price. Colorado has been one of the most dominant teams in the NHL this season, led by Nathan MacKinnon's MVP-caliber campaign. The Avs' combination of elite offensive talent and improved defensive structure has made them a nightmare matchup for everyone on their schedule. MacKinnon's ability to elevate his linemates is unmatched, and Colorado's power play has been among the league's best, converting at a clip that strikes fear into any penalty killers.

Ottawa has shown improvement this season and they're in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild card chase, but taking on Colorado is a completely different animal. The Senators will need their goaltender to stand on his head to have any chance in this one, and even then, the Avs' depth scoring makes them nearly impossible to shut down for a full 60 minutes. Brady Tkachuk brings his usual brand of high-energy, physical play, and Tim Stutzle has emerged as a legitimate offensive threat, but the Senators' defensive structure isn't built to contain a team with Colorado's speed.

The total sits at 6.5, and given Colorado's ability to pile up goals in bunches, there's a case for an entertaining, higher-scoring affair. The Avs have been one of the league's best over teams this season, and Ottawa's defense can be leaky at times, particularly against teams with Colorado's speed and skill level. The Canadian Tire Centre crowd will bring energy, and home-ice advantage matters for a Senators team that plays with more structure in their own building. But the talent gap between these two rosters is significant, and Colorado's ability to control games through puck possession makes them the clear side in this matchup.