NEW YORK, NY – The Edmonton Oilers face off against the New York Rangers on March 16, 2025, at Madison Square Garden as they conclude their four-game eastern road swing. After struggling for victories on the trip, the Oilers finally secured one on March 14, defeating the New York Islanders 2-1, thanks to two goals from Leon Draisaitl.
Now, with this win under their belt, the Oilers look to build on their momentum against the Rangers, who are coming off a solid 4-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 15. That victory propelled the Rangers up the standings, placing them firmly within the final Wild-Card spot as they aim to solidify their position for the playoffs.
The Oilers' matchup against the Rangers will kick off at 7 p.m. EDT and features Edmonton as the -140 moneyline favorite. The total for the game is set at 6.5, reflecting the recent trend of low-scoring games from both teams. Statistically, the Oilers have recorded the under more frequently recently, boasting five unders in their last six road games, and the Rangers have also seen the under five times out of their last six at home.
Historically, the Oilers have fared well against the Rangers, winning four of their last five games at Madison Square Garden and eight of their last eleven meetings overall. Their most recent encounter this season saw the Oilers take down the Rangers 6-2 back on November 23, 2024, where Connor McDavid played pivotal roles with two goals and one assist.
Despite being favored, the Oilers are still grappling with some challenges, including secondary scoring. Leon Draisaitl continues to shine, reaching his sixth 100-point season and fourth consecutive year hitting this milestone with 49 goals so far—a staggering 10 more than any other NHL skater this season. Yet the team struggles with depth scoring, as evidenced by only three players reaching the 40-point mark so far this season. Their recent form places them third in the Pacific Division and sets them up for another potential first-round playoff clash with the Los Angeles Kings, marking four consecutive postseason meetings with this team.
The Rangers, meanwhile, have their own storylines brewing. Their goaltender Igor Shesterkin secured a solid shutout against Columbus, stopping all 21 shots he faced, leading to what has been described as potentially one of his easier games of the season. With Shesterkin still recovering from injury and not expected to play tonight, Jonathan Quick will take the reins against Edmonton. Quick has managed to secure nine wins and sports an .896 save percentage for the season.
Artemi Panarin is another player to watch, currently riding an impressive point streak of eight games, having scored 29 goals and contributed 70 points overall this season. Alongside him, Vincent Trocheck has joined Panarin as the team’s only other 20-goal scorer, scoring two goals against Columbus, bringing his season total to 20—a sign of promise for the Rangers as they head down the homestretch.
Despite the Rangers' advantages this season, they struggle as underdogs, sitting at 5-15-3 straight up, raising questions about how they will respond against the Oilers. With both teams struggling to score consistently, the game promises to be tight. Oilers' Head Coach Kris Knoblauch remains focused, noting, “Our main focus is on stringing together wins especially heading back home after this trip.” The team understands the significance of consistent performance as they look to strengthen their playoff positioning.
Conversely, Ranger Captain Artemi Panarin acknowledged the difficulties posed by back-to-back games. “It's always difficult playing back-to-back games, but we are prepared.” The assertion reflects the team’s resolve as they enter their first of four consecutive home games.
Among the players, Zach Hyman's status remains uncertain. Initially thought to be ready for action after participating fully during practice, he was held out of warmups today and will not take the ice against the Rangers. The absence of Hyman, who has registered 37 points (22 goals and 15 assists) this season, weighs heavily on the Oilers, especially as they depend on their top lines to create scoring opportunities.
To fill the void left by Hyman, the Oilers will slot Max Jones onto the fourth line, but significant responsibility still lies on the shoulders of McDavid and Draisaitl, who must lead the charge if Edmonton hopes to emerge victorious.
With both teams pushing hard as they jockey for playoff positions, the upcoming clash promises excitement for fans with playoff aspirations simmering just beneath the surface. The Oilers need not only to regain their winning ways, but also must confront their depth scoring issues head-on if they wish to contend seriously.