In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Montreal Canadiens and the New York Islanders clash at Nassau Coliseum. The Sports Network will broadcast this Eastern Conference matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 14.
Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders Odds
New York (-140) is currently favored over Montreal (+120), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -135 for the under and +115 for the over.
Earning moneyline bettors 15.8 units, the Islanders are 40-29 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a welcomed improvement over the 35-47 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of the team’s 69 regular season matches, 41 have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team is 21-15 SU at home this year.
New York’s converted on just 15.2 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that puts the team in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 17th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all penalties.
As a team, NY has been penalized just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five matchups at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.5 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Boasting a .927 save percentage and 26.4 saves per game, Robin Lehner (21-17-5) has been the top option in goal for the Islanders this year. If they decide to give him the night off, however, head coach Barry Trotz could turn to Thomas Greiss (23-14-14 record, .927 save percentage, 2.26 goals against average).
The Isles will continue relying on offensive production out of Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey. Barzal (55 points) has tallied 17 goals and 38 assists and has recorded two or more points in 12 different games this year. Bailey has 14 goals and 36 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 41 games.
In the other locker room, Montreal is 37-33 straight up (SU) and has netted 5.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 36 of its outings have gone under the total, while 30 have gone over and just four have pushed. As a road team, Montreal is 17-18 SU.
Montreal has converted on just 12.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s ranked 32nd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 17th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.0 per game over their past five outings. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (.914 save percentage and 2.59 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 26.9 saves per game and owns a 29-26-5 record.
For the visiting Canadiens, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Max Domi, who’s got 38 assists and 24 goals this year.
Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Islanders Betting Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Canadiens, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five matchups.
- The Canadiens have averaged the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (33.5) and New York has attempted just the 31st-most (28.3).
- Power plays and penalty kills may play a key role tonight. The Canadiens are 11-12 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 22-22 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Islanders are 17-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 30-19 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- New York (4-5 in shootouts) has significantly more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Montrealis undefeated in two shootouts this year.
- New York has averaged 8.0 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 7.0 takeaways per game (ranked 21st).
- Montreal skaters have forced 7.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, right in line with its season average of 7.4 takeaways per game (ranked 18th in the league).