Brent Burns, Timo Meier, and the San Jose Sharks will face off against Brock Nelson, Mathew Barzal, and the New York Islanders at Nassau Coliseum in an East-West showdown. MSG Network will showcase the matchup, and the action gets going at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 23.
San Jose Sharks at New York Islanders Odds
The Islanders (-215) are currently solidly favored over the Sharks (+180), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Earning moneyline bettors 4.9 units, New York is 34-26 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is right in line with what the team produced during the 2018-19 season (48-34). 33 of the team’s 60 games have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 19-11 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on 17.9 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all penalties.
With a .918 save percentage and 26.2 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (19-20-4) has been the primary goalkeeper for New York this season. If New York decides to rest him, however, head coach Barry Trotz may turn to Thomas Greiss (16-12-12 record, .916 save percentage, 2.65 goals against average).
San Jose has lost 9.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 26-35 straight up (SU). A total of 32 of its contests have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just two have pushed. The Sharks are 12-19 SU as a road team this season.
The Sharks have converted on just 16.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 86.0 percent of all penalties.
Martin Jones (3.11 goals against average and .894 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 25.1 saves per game and has 14 wins, 21 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
San Jose Sharks vs. New York Islanders Betting Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Islanders are 3-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while the Sharks are 2-1 in shootouts.
- The total has gone under in each of New York’s last five outings.
- The Islanders this season have tallied the most hits per game in the NHL (28.5).
