A game between two teams that have put themselves firmly in playoff contention, the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders take the ice at the Barclays Center. New England Sports Network will showcase this Eastern Conference matchup, and the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 11.
Boston Bruins at New York Islanders Odds
Boston (-130) is currently favored over New York (+110), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
The Islanders are 27-15 straight-up (SU) and have earned 9.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL in this young season, is fairly close to the 48-34 record the team posted during last year’s regular season campaign. Among the team’s 42 games this season, 16 have gone under the total, while 16 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team is 14-7 SU at home this season.
New York has converted on 19.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.5 percent of all penalties.
New York, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 1.8 per game over its last five match ups. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 6.8 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 25.5 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (16-11-3) has been the top goalkeeper for the Islanders this year. If they decide to rest him, however, the team might turn to Thomas Greiss (12-8-8 record, .919 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
The Isles will continue to lean on the leadership via Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson. Barzal (35 points) has produced 16 goals and 19 assists and has recorded multiple points nine times this year. Nelson has 15 goals and 16 assists to his name and has notched a point in 20 contests.
Earning -6 units for moneyline bettors, Boston is 26-19 straight up (SU) overall this year. Through 45 regular season outings, 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 20 have gone over and just three have pushed. Boston’s 11-8 SU as the visiting team this season.
Boston has scored on 27.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s good enough for fourth-best in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked third overall and it’s successfully defended 83.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Boston’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 4.8 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Tuukka Rask (.924 save percentage and 2.29 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Boston. Rask is averaging 28.2 saves per game and has 16 wins, 10 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
David Pastrnak (35 goals, 30 assists) and Brad Marchand (20 goals, 42 assists) are the top point-getters for Boston and will pace the attack for the visiting Bruins.
Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Bruins, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these clubs, the total has gone under in three of their past five outings.
- Boston has attempted 31.2 shots per contest overall this season (ranked 15th in the NHL), and 28.9 in its last 10 games.
- The Bruins are 9-5 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Islanders are 20-8 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- Boston is 0-6 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 3-1 in shootouts.
- New York is ranked 14th in the NHL with 7.8 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended upward lately, as it has managed 10.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.0 takeaways over its last five.
- Boston skaters have averaged 6.6 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.2 takeaways per game (ranked eighth).
- New York could hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 15-6 in games decided by one goal, while Boston is 9-14 in such games.
