Two teams currently on losing streaks, the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders collide at the Barclays Center in a divisional tilt. The action gets started at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, January 7, and you will be able to witness the game live on MSG Network.
New Jersey Devils at New York Islanders Odds
With a -125 moneyline, New York comes into the matchup as the favorite. The line for New Jersey sits at +105, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The line for betting that total stands at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
New Jersey is 22-18 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 7.2 units this season. 22 of its outings have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Devils team is 10-10 SU on the road.
New Jersey has converted on 22.3 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for fifth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, it has the ninth-best penalty kill in the league, and the teams successfully killed off 83.7 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Devils have been sent to the penalty box 4.0 times per game during the 2017-18 season, and 3.2 per game over its last five road outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Averaging 29.5 saves per game with a .919 save percentage, Cory Schneider (18-13-5) has been the top option in goal for New Jersey this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, the team may turn to Keith Kinkaid (5-6-2), who has a .897 save percentage and 3.31 goals against average this year.
Taylor Hall and Jesper Bratt will both lead the way for the visiting Devils. Hall has 40 points on 14 goals and 26 assists, and has recorded two or more points in 11 different games. Bratt has 10 goals and 16 assists to his name (and has logged a point in 17 games).
New York is 20-22 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. 27 of its contests have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just three have pushed. It’s 12-8 SU at home this season.
The Islanders have converted on just 20.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Islanders skaters have been whistled for penalties only 3.6 times per game in total this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five contests. The team has had to defend opponent power plays a whopping 13.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jaroslav Halak (28.2 saves per game) has been the top option in goal for the Islanders. Halak has 11 wins, 15 losses, and two OT losses and has maintained a pedestrian 3.22 goals against average and a poor .904 save percentage this year.
John Tavares (22 goals, 28 assists) and Josh Bailey (12 goals, 38 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the home team.
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Two of New Jersey’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- The total has gone over in three of New Jersey’s last five games.
- New York has averaged 3.4 goals per game (overall) this season, but is averaging 1.6 goals per matchup over its five-game losing streak.
- Five of New Jersey’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-1 in those games.
