Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Islanders Game Preview 1/14/20

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Nassau Coliseum will play host to an intriguing showdown as the New York Islanders prepare to face the visiting Detroit Red Wings. Fox Sports Detroit will air this Eastern Conference matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14.

Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Islanders Odds

Moneyline and Over/Under (O/U) odds have not yet been posted for this matchup.

The Islanders are 27-17 straight-up (SU) and have netted 8.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the NHL’s fourth-best so far in the early season, hasn’t moved much from what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (48-34). Out of its 44 regular season contests, 25 of them have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 14-8 SU at home this year.

New York’s converted on 19.4 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.

As a collective unit, New York has been called for penalties 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five home outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for just 5.6 minutes per contest over its last five home games.

With a .919 save percentage and 25.8 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (16-13-4) has been the top option in goal for the Islanders this season. Varlamov did just play last night, however, so the team may choose to give him a breather and instead turn to Thomas Greiss (12-9-9 record, .919 save percentage, 2.57 goals against average).

Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson will each look to continue their strong seasons for the Islanders. Barzal (37 points) has tallied 17 goals and 20 assists and has recorded multiple points on 10 different occasions this year. Nelson has 16 goals and 17 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 20 games.

Detroit has lost 15.1 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 12-34 straight up (SU). Through 46 regular season outings, 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under the total and just five have pushed. As the visiting team, Detroit is 4-18 SU so far.

Detroit has converted on just 15.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 73.2 percent of all opponent power plays.

Detroit’s skaters have been penalized 3.6 times per game this season, and 4.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 8.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

Jonathan Bernier (26.0 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Detroit. Bernier owns a 10-18-2 record, while registering a .904 save percentage and 2.99 goals against average this year.

Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Red Wings will be Tyler Bertuzzi (16 goals, 18 assists) and Dylan Larkin (11 goals, 19 assists).

Detroit Red Wings at New York Islanders Betting Predictions

Pick: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under

Betting Notes

  • New York is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Detroit is 1-1 in shootouts.
  • For both of these clubs, the under has hit in four of their last five matchups.
  • Detroit has managed 26.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York has been attempting 34.0 shots per game over its last five home outings.
  • Over Detroit’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-5 in those games).
  • This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Detroit skaters have given out the league’s 12th-most hits per game (22.3) while the Islanders have tallied the second-most (29.3).