In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Ottawa Senators and the New York Islanders meet at Nassau Coliseum. The opening face-off takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 5, and fans at home can see this Eastern Conference matchup live on Reseau Des Sports.
Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders Odds
Ottawa (+285) is currently the underdog to New York (-375), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-120 to bet the under, +100 for the over).
The Islanders are 37-28 straight up (SU) and have earned moneyline bettors 14.3 units this year. That winning percentage, the second-best in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a surprising improvement over the 35-47 record from the 2017-18 season campaign. Of its 65 games this season, 21 have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just four have pushed. The team’s 19-14 SU at home this year.
New York has converted on just 16.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s ranked 26th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.9 percent of all penalties.
New York, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.5 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.8 per game over its last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.6 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 26.5 saves per game with a .929 save percentage, Robin Lehner (20-17-5) has been the principal option in goal for the Islanders this year. If they decide to give him the night off, however, head coach Barry Trotz may go with Thomas Greiss (20-13-13 record, .928 save percentage, 2.24 goals against average).
Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey will each be focal points for the Islanders. Barzal (52 points) has tallied 17 goals and 35 assists and has recorded multiple points 11 times this year. Bailey has 14 goals and 35 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 39 contests.
Ottawa has lost 6.7 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 23-43 straight up (SU). 35 of its games have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under the total and just five have pushed. As the visiting team, Ottawa is 9-24 SU.
Ottawa has converted on 20.8 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 23rd overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.5 percent of all penalties.
Ottawa’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Craig Anderson (30.7 saves per game) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson owns a 14-27-3 record, while registering a .903 save percentage and 3.54 goals against average this year.
Mark Stone (28 goals, 34 assists) will pace the offensive attack for the visiting Senators.
Ottawa Senators at New York Islanders Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- New York (3-5 in shootouts) has significantly more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Ottawa has yet to participate in one this year.
- The under has hit in four of New York’s last five outings.
- Five of Ottawa’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-5 in those games.
- The Islanders this season have registered the eighth-most hits per game in the NHL (24.1), but that average has jumped up to 27.0 over their past five games as the home team.
