Facing each other for the final time this season, the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Islanders take the ice at Nassau Coliseum. The game will get started at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 21, and you will be able to view this East-West matchup live on Prime Ticket.
Anaheim Ducks vs. New York Islanders Odds
The Islanders are 23-10 straight-up (SU) and have netted 11.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the league’s best so far in the early season, is an improvement compared to what the team did during the 2018-19 season (48-34). 18 of its 33 outings have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 13-4 SU at home this season.
New York’s converted on 20.3 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.6 percent of all penalties.
New York, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 5.2 per game over its last five outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays for a whopping 16.6 minutes per game over its last five outings, overall.
With a .923 save percentage and 25.4 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (13-7-2) has been the principal option in goal for the Islanders this year. If head coach Barry Trotz decides to give him a rest, however, the Isles could turn to Thomas Greiss (11-6-6 record, .924 save percentage, 2.39 goals against average).
Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson will each lead the offensive attack for the Islanders. Barzal (28 points) has tallied 14 goals and 14 assists and has recorded multiple points in seven different games this year. Nelson has 12 goals and 14 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 16 games.
Over on the visiting bench, Anaheim is 14-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.7 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 18 of its matches have gone under the total, while 17 have gone over and none have pushed. Anaheim’s 5-12 SU as a road team this season.
Anaheim has converted on just 13.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
Anaheim’s skaters have been penalized 4.5 times per game in total this season, 4.4 per game over their last five games total, and 4.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties a whopping 15.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson (27.9 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Anaheim. Gibson owns a 10-16-2 record, and has registered a .910 save percentage and 2.80 goals against average this year.
Ryan Getzlaf (10 goals, 15 assists) and Rickard Rakell (10 goals, 15 assists) are the top offensive options for Anaheim and will lead the attack for the visiting Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The Islanders are 17-6 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Ducks are 10-10 SU when they serve more minutes than their opponent.
- Anaheim is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 3-0 in shootouts.
- New York has managed 6.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.4 takeaways per game (ranked 18th in the NHL).
- Anaheim is ranked 29th in the league with 6.4 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as the team has created 5.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.4 takeaways over its last five.
- New York could hold the upper hand if it’s a close one late. The team’s 12-3 in games decided by one goal, while Anaheim is 5-10 in such games.
