A couple of the least-penalized clubs in the league, the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders face off at the Barclays Center in an Eastern Conference showdown. The matchup will get going at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, December 1, and you will be able to see the game live on MSG Network.
Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders Odds
Ottawa (+125) is currently the underdog to New York (-145), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -125 money on the over and +105 on the under.
Netting moneyline bettors 6.8 units, New York is 15-9 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That winning percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far in this young season, is a solid improvement compared to what the team managed during last years regular season (41-41). Through 24 regular season outings, 15 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the team is 8-2 SU at home.
The Islanders have converted on 21.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 21st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.2 percent of all penalties.
The Islanders, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.6 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The teams had to defend opponent power plays for just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .903 save percentage and 30.3 saves per game, Thomas Greiss (8-4-2) has been the primary option in goal for New York this season. If head coach Doug Weight chooses to rest him, however, the team may go with Jaroslav Halak (7-6-6 record, .904 save percentage, 2.88 goals against average).
Josh Bailey and John Tavares will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Islanders. Bailey (28 points) has produced five goals and 23 assists and has recorded two or more points in nine different games this year. Tavares has 16 goals and 12 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 12 contests.
On the other side of the ice, Ottawa is 8-15 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.4 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 23 regular season matches, 13 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and none have pushed. As the road team, the Senators are 4-5 SU so far.
The Senators have converted on just 15.7 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 16th overall and it’s successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Ottawa’s skaters have been penalized only 3.5 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (2.95 goals against average and .895 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 24.2 saves per game and has seven wins, 11 losses, and three OT losses to his credit.
Leading the offensive counter for the visiting Senators will be Mark Stone (14 goals, 10 assists) and Mike Hoffman (eight goals, 11 assists).
Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- Ottawa (1-4 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. New York has participated in only two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
- The over has hit in three of New York’s last five games.
- Ottawa has managed 27.4 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York has been attempting 35.2 shots per game over its last five at home.
- New York is putting up 3.7 goals per game over its four-game win streak.
- Over Ottawa’s last ten games, four of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 0-4 in those games).
- Ottawa skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (22.7 per game).
