It's a given that COVID-19 is a major problem for sports teams. It has been especially brutal for the Islanders.

The Islanders have seven players in COVID-19 protocol, none of whom are expected to be able to play in this game. That's not all. New York is without one its top defensemen, injured Ryan Pulock, and its leading scorer, Brock Nelson, who suffered a lower-body injury that will sideline him two-to-four-weeks during the Islanders' last game.

The Islanders have been forced to bring up eight minor leaguers to bolster their skeleton lineup. No surprise the Islanders have lost their last six games, all by three goals or more. The Islanders have managed just eight goals in their last seven games.

The Rangers are hot having won five of their last six games. They have scored at least three goals in five of these past six games and are in great position to take advantage of the heavily undermanned Islanders.

The price is low enough to back the Rangers.