Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and the Washington Capitals will face off against Mathew Barzal, Josh Bailey, and the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in a divisional tilt. The puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, March 1, and fans at home can see it live on MSG Network.
Washington Capitals at New York Islanders Odds
The money line for each side is currently set at an identical -110 and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Earning 16.0 units for moneyline bettors, New York is 37-26 straight up (SU) overall this year. That win percentage, ranked fifth in the league so far this season, is a refreshing turnaround from what the team did during the 2017-18 season (35-47). Of its 63 games this season, 20 have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team’s 19-12 SU at home this season.
The Islanders have converted on just 16.4 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that puts them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated 18th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.0 percent of all penalties.
Sporting a .931 save percentage and 27.0 saves per game, Robin Lehner (20-16-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Isles this year. Lehner did just play last night, however, so head coach Barry Trotz might opt to give him the night off and instead go with Thomas Greiss (20-11-11 record, .928 save percentage, 2.26 goals against average).
On the other hand, Washington is 36-28 straight up (SU) and has earned 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. 34 of its outings have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under the total and just three have pushed. As the away team, the Capitals are 17-14 SU.
The Capitals have scored on 22.2 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 24th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Braden Holtby (3.01 goals against average and .908 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Washington. Holtby is averaging 28.3 saves per game and owns a 22-23-6 record.
Washington Capitals at New York Islanders Betting Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Capitals, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Islanders are 3-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Capitals are 3-1 in shootouts.
- The over has hit in three of Washington’s last five outings.
- Washington has managed 27.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York is averaging 32.6 shots per game over its last five home outings.
- The Isles this season have handed out the eighth-most hits per game in the NHL (23.8).
