TD Garden is the site for an Eastern Conference showdown as the Boston Bruins square off against the visiting New York Islanders. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 9, and fans at home can witness the game live on New England Sports Network.
New York Islanders vs. Boston Bruins Odds
Boston (-140) is currently favored over New York (+120) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total stand at -105 money on the over and -115 for the under.
New York is 16-12 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.3 units this year. Through 28 regular season matches, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. The Isles are 8-9 SU as the away team in 2017-18.
New York has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off only 73.3 percent of its penalties.
The Isles, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.6 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its last five total, and 3.8 per game over its last five games as the visiting team. The team has been forced to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
With a .903 save percentage and 26.2 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (8-8-1) has been the top option in goal for New York this year. If it chooses to give him a rest, however, the team may roll with Thomas Greiss (8-6-2), who has a .890 save percentage and 3.79 goals against average this year.
Josh Bailey and John Tavares will both spearhead the attack for the visiting Islanders. Bailey has 31 points via five goals and 26 assists, and has recorded multiple points 10 times. Tavares has 17 goals and 14 assists to his name (and has logged at least one point in 16 games).
Over on the other bench, Boston is 13-13 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 26 regular season outings, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while another 13 have gone under and none have pushed. It’s 8-6 SU at home this year.
The Bruins have converted on just 19.0 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and it’s successfully killed off 85.0 percent of all penalties.
Bruins players have been penalized 4.0 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five home outings. The teams been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Tuukka Rask has denied 23.8 shots per game as the top choice in goal for the Bruins. Rask has six wins, 11 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit and has recorded a fairly-weak .908 save percentage and 2.52 goals against average this season.
The home team will be led on offense by David Pastrnak (14 goals, 11 assists).
New York Islanders vs. Boston Bruins Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- Boston is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 2-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in three of Boston’s last five games.
- The Bruins this season have tallied the fourth-most hits per game (24.4).
