The Barclays Center will be hosting an Eastern Conference clash as the Montreal Canadiens take on the New York Islanders. It’s the third and final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The match gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 2, and you’ll be able to see it live on Reseau Des Sports.
Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders Odds
New York comes into the contest as the obvious favorite with a moneyline of -145. The line for Montreal sits at +125 and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -110 for the over and -110 on the under.
Losing -6.4 units for moneyline bettors, New York is 29-35 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a slide from what the team recorded during the 2016-17 season (41-41). Through 64 regular season outings, 38 of its games have gone over the total, while 23 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 16-15 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on 20.8 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 31st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 74.3 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Islanders have been penalized just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.0 per game over their past five match ups. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .911 save percentage and 30.6 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (18 wins, 27 losses, and five OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Isles this season. If the Isles decide to give him a breather, however, the team could turn to Thomas Greiss (12-12-12 record, .891 save percentage, 3.84 goals against average).
Mathew Barzal and John Tavares will each spearhead the attack for the Islanders. Barzal (67 points) has tallied 18 goals and 49 assists and has recorded two or more points 14 times this year. Tavares has 30 goals and 34 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 37 games.
On the other side of the ice, Montreal is 24-39 straight up (SU) and has lost 18.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. Through 63 regular season matches, 35 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Canadiens are 8-21 SU as the visiting team this season.
The Canadiens have scored on 21.3 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 25th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Montreal’s players have been penalized 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.4 per game over their past five outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Carey Price (2.98 goals against average and .904 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Montreal. Price is averaging 27.3 saves per game and owns a 15-28-6 record.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Canadiens will be Max Pacioretty (17 goals, 20 assists) and Brendan Gallagher (21 goals, 16 assists).
Montreal Canadiens at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Three of Montreal’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-3 in those games and 2-5 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in three of New York’s last five outings.
- New York has averaged 3.3 goals per game overall this season, but is averaging 2.0 goals per matchup over its four-game losing streak.
- Six of Montreal’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
- This game features two of the tougher teams in the league. Montreal skaters have accounted for the fourth-most hits in the league (25.5 per game) while the Isles have recorded the ninth-most (22.5).
