Two of the least-penalized clubs in the league, the New York Islanders and the Chicago Blackhawks clash at the United Center for an East-West tilt. NBC Sports Chicago will broadcast the action, which gets going at 8:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20.
New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks Odds
With a moneyline of -155, Chicago enters the contest as the heavy favorite. The line for New York sits at +135. The Over/Under (O/U), set at 7 goals, initially opened at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. Those odds have shifted since they opened, and they now sit at -115 for the over, -105 for the under.
New York is 23-24 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. 31 of its contests have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just three have pushed. This 2017-18 Islanders team is 10-14 SU on the road.
New York has converted on 19.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and the team’s successfully killed off only 73.3 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Isles have been penalized just 3.6 times per game this season, and 5.0 per game over its last five on the road. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Sporting a .905 save percentage and 29.3 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (13-17-2) has been the best option in goal for New York this season. If it chooses to rest him, however, head coach Doug Weight may roll with Thomas Greiss (10-11-2), who has a .886 save percentage and 3.89 goals against average this year.
John Tavares and Josh Bailey will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Islanders. Tavares has 55 points via 25 goals and 30 assists, and has recorded multiple points 16 times. Bailey has 12 goals and 39 assists to his credit (and has registered at least one point in 28 games).
Over on the other bench, Chicago is 22-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.0 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 45 regular season matches, 24 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just two have pushed. It’s 12-10 SU at home this season.
The Blackhawks have converted on just 15.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places them in the bottom 5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 12th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Blackhawks players have been penalized 3.7 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Blackhawks. Crawford has 16 wins, 12 losses, and two overtime losses and has registered a 2.27 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this season.
Patrick Kane (18 goals, 27 assists) will pace the offensive counter for the home team.
New York Islanders at Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The total has gone under in four of Chicago’s last five games.
The Blackhawks are 7-4 in games where they attempt 10+ shots more than their opponent. They’ve averaged the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.4) while the Islanders have attempted the 22nd-most (only 34.4).
Over New York’s last ten games, eight of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-7 in those games).
