Two teams currently on two-game losing streaks, the New York Islanders and the Vancouver Canucks meet at Rogers Arena. This East-West matchup gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 23 and it can be viewed live on MSG Network.
New York Islanders at Vancouver Canucks Odds
New York heads into the matchup as the favorite with a -125 moneyline. The line for Vancouver sits at +105, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-125 to bet the under, +105 for the over).
New York is 35-25 straight up (SU) and has earned 16.1 units for moneyline bettors this season. 36 of its contests have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just four have pushed. The Isles are 17-14 SU on the road in 2018-19.
New York has converted on just 16.9 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 22nd out of 31 teams, and it has successfully killed off 79.3 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, New York has been called for penalties 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.8 per game over its last five matchups total, and 3.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 7.1 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.6 saves per game with a .928 save percentage, Robin Lehner (18-15-5) has been the top option in goal for New York this year. If head coach Barry Trotz chooses to rest him, however, New York may go with Thomas Greiss (20-11-2), who has a .928 save percentage and 2.26 goals against average this year.
Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey will both lead the way for the visiting Islanders. Barzal has 50 points on 17 goals and 33 assists, and has recorded multiple points 11 times. Bailey has 13 goals and 32 assists to his creditand has notched a point in 36 games.
Despite posting a record of just 26-35 straight up (SU), moneyline bettors have accumulated 1.3 units by wagering on Vancouver this season. Through 61 regular season matches, 30 of its games have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just four have pushed. It’s 13-15 SU at home this season.
Vancouver has converted on just 15.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
The Canucks have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 4.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties 8.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom has denied 28.8 shots per game as the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom has 22 wins, 24 losses, and seven overtime losses to his credit and has maintained a .911 save percentage and 2.78 goals against average this season.
The Nucks offense will be led by Elias Pettersson (26 goals, 28 assists).
New York Islanders at Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Canucks, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Two of Vancouver’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-0 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- The under has hit in three of Vancouver’s last five games.
- New York skaters have dished out the ninth-most hits in the league (23.7 per game).
