Nassau Coliseum is the site for an intriguing showdown as the New York Islanders square off against the visiting New Jersey Devils. NBC Sports Network will broadcast this Metro Division matchup, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 2.
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders Odds
New Jersey (+180) is playing the role of underdog to New York (-220), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
The Islanders are 25-13 straight up (SU) and have earned 10.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the league in this young season, is an improvement over the 48-34 record from the 2018-19 season campaign. 21 of the team’s 38 games have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just two have pushed. This year, the team’s 13-6 SU at home.
New York has converted on 20.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, NY has been whistled for penalties 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 4.5 per game over its past ten contests. The team has had to kill penalties for 11.6 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Boasting a .920 save percentage and 25.3 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (15-9-3) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Islanders this year. If head coach Barry Trotz chooses to give him the night off, however, the Isles may turn to Thomas Greiss (11-8-8 record, .919 save percentage, 2.58 goals against average).
The Isles will continue to rely on leadership out of Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson. Barzal (34 points) has produced 16 goals and 18 assists and has recorded two or more points on nine different occasions this year. Nelson has 14 goals and 16 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 18 contests.
New Jersey has lost 10.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 14-25 straight up (SU). 21 of its games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. New Jersey’s 8-11 SU as the away team this season.
New Jersey has converted on just 14.9 percent of its 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 defended 80.0 percent of all penalties.
New Jersey’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game this season, and 6.2 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays an unhealthy 16.8 minutes per game over their last five outings.
MacKenzie Blackwood (26.2 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for New Jersey. Blackwood has 13 wins, 17 losses, and five OT losses to his credit, while registering a .907 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive push for the visiting Devils will be Kyle Palmieri (15 goals, 12 assists) and Taylor Hall (six goals, 19 assists).
New Jersey Devils vs. New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone over in three of their past five games.
- The Devils are 6-11 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 7-15 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total.
- New Jersey is 2-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 3-1 in shootouts.
- New York is ranked 16th in the NHL with 7.7 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward recently, as it has averaged 9.1 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.2 takeaways over its last five.
- New Jersey is ranked 21st overall this season with 6.9 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward, as the team has averaged 7.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.2 takeaways over its last five.
