New York Rangers vs Los Angeles Kings 26 October 2026 Prediction

The New York Rangers and Los Angeles Kings both enter this matchup in poor form. New York has lost four of its last five games, while Los Angeles lost again after two straight wins. Both need points to improve their position in the standings.

The Rangers Are Struggling Without Shesterkin

The Rangers looked capable of challenging for the Eastern Conference lead early in the regular season. They have since lost four of their last five games. New York remains in a playoff spot but trails first-place Carolina by five points.

Igor Shesterkin’s absence has affected the team’s results. The Rangers have allowed 22 goals in their last five games, including seven against New Jersey in a 7-1 loss and seven against Ottawa in a 7-4 loss. Goaltender Dylan Garand struggled against the Senators. Ottawa generated 2.7 expected goals but scored seven times, including twice during 6-on-5 play.

Predicted Lineup (New York Rangers): Garand (Martin) — Gavrikov, Fox — Perreault, Zibanejad, Lafreniere

Full Roster: Defensemen — Pettersson, Durzi, Schmitz, Schneider; forwards — Cartier, Miller, Dorofeyev, Kailly, Laba, Tolvanen, Bjorkstrand, Glendening, Raddysh

Out: Veleno, Korpisalo, Sykora, Shesterkin (all injured)

Manager: Mike Sullivan

The Kings Continue to Struggle to Score

Los Angeles has six points through nine games, with limited scoring a major issue. The Kings average 2.3 goals per game and have converted 14.8% of their power plays, the sixth-lowest rate in the league. They have scored just one power-play goal in their last five games.

The Kings recently ended a losing streak by beating Washington 5-2 and the Islanders 3-2 in overtime. They then lost 3-1 to New Jersey, managing just 13 shots on goal.

Predicted Lineup (Los Angeles Kings): Kuemper (Forsberg) — Edmundson, Clarke — Panarin, Laferriere, Kempe

Full Roster: Defensemen — Gustafsson, Doughty, Anderson, Dumoulin; forwards — Lee, Haula, Zuccarello, Moore, Laughton, Armia, Wright, Helenius, Perry

Out: Turcotte, Fiala (both injured); Byfield (questionable)

Manager: Peter Laviolette

Recent Head-to-Head Results

The teams have met twice in 2026, with Los Angeles winning both games. In their meeting in California, the Kings scored twice in each of the first two periods and won 4-3. The Rangers cut the deficit to one goal with 27 seconds left but could not force overtime.

Key Stats

The Rangers allow an average of 0.5 goals in the first period. Only two teams have a better mark.

Los Angeles scores on 8.4% of its shots, ahead of only three teams.

New York averages about 24.5 shots on goal per game, the sixth-lowest total in the league.

New York Rangers vs Los Angeles Kings Prediction: Rangers to Win at 2.19

Main prediction: Home ice could help New York. The Rangers have won their last seven home games, including preseason contests, scoring at least four goals in each. Los Angeles has lost four of its last six road games and scored only once in two of those losses. The Rangers have also won six of their last nine home meetings with the Kings. The pick is the Rangers to win at 2.19. A 4-2 exact-score bet is a riskier option.

Goals prediction: Six of the Rangers’ last nine games have featured at least seven goals, including their 11-goal game against Ottawa. The pick is over 5.5 total goals at 1.80.