In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Detroit Red Wings and the New York Islanders collide at the Barclays Center in an Eastern Conference showdown. The action gets going at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 19, and it’ll be shown live on Fox Sports Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings vs. New York Islanders Odds
Detroit (+160) is currently the underdog to New York (-180) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting that total sit at -110 money on the over and -110 for the under.
The Islanders are 18-15 straight up (SU) and have netted 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to the 41-41 record the team managed during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 33 regular season matches, 22 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. This season, the team is 10-4 SU at home.
New York’s converted on 20.2 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.0 percent of all penalties.
As a team, NY has been penalized just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 7.6 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
With a .905 save percentage and 26.1 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (9-10-1) has been the top option in goal for the Islanders this year. If the Isles choose to give him the night off, however, the team could turn to Thomas Greiss (9-8-8 record, .888 save percentage, 3.76 goals against average).
Josh Bailey and John Tavares will each be focal points for the Islanders. Bailey (40 points) is up to nine goals and 31 assists and has recorded two or more points 12 times this year. Tavares has 19 goals and 21 assists to his credit and has recorded a point in 19 contests.
Detroit is 12-20 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 16 of its games have gone over the total, while another 16 have gone under and none have pushed. Detroit’s 6-8 SU as an away team this season.
Detroit has converted on 20.6 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Detroit’s skaters have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jimmy Howard (2.83 goals against average and .908 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Detroit. Howard is averaging 25.3 saves per game and owns a 10-17-6 record.
For the visiting Red Wings, the offense will be coordinated by Dylan Larkin (five goals, 19 assists) and Anthony Mantha (12 goals, 10 assists).
Detroit Red Wings at New York Islanders Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Detroit is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone over in three of New York’s last five games.
Six of Detroit’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
