The Nashville Predators, led by Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis, are ready to take the ice against Mathew Barzal, Brock Nelson, and the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in an East-West matchup. The game gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 17 and it is being televised live on MSG Network.
Nashville Predators vs. New York Islanders Odds
New York (-145) is currently favored over Nashville (+125), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
New York is 22-9 straight up (SU) and has netted 12.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. That win percentage, best in the league so far this season, is an improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2018-19 season (48-34). Out of its 31 regular season contests, 18 of them have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 13-3 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on 20.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.7 percent of all penalties.
With a .928 save percentage and 26.3 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (12 wins, six losses, and two OT losses) has been the most dependable option in goal for the Isles this year. If New York decides to rest him, however, head coach Barry Trotz may turn to Thomas Greiss (11-5-5 record, .932 save percentage, 2.16 goals against average).
Nashville has lost 12.2 units for moneyline bettors thus far and is currently 15-17 straight up (SU). 18 of its outings have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under the total and none have pushed. The Predators are 6-7 SU as a road team this season.
The Predators have converted on just 14.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 28th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully killed off 78.6 percent of all penalties.
Pekka Rinne (.893 save percentage and 2.99 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville. Rinne is averaging 23.3 saves per game and owns a 10-8-3 record.
Nashville Predators vs. New York Islanders Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The Predators are 1-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Islanders are 2-0 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in four of New York’s last five games.
- The Predators have averaged the league’s fifth-most shots on goal (33.9) while New York has attempted the 32nd-most (only 28.2).
- Over Nashville’s last ten games, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-2 in those games).
- The Isles this season have recorded the third-most hits per game in the NHL (29.3), but the team’s averaged 36.8 over their last five home games.
