In what’s already the final head-to-head regular season matchup between the two clubs, the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Islanders face off at the Barclays Center in a cross-country showdown. The opening face-off is at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, and fans at home can catch it live on MSG Network.
Anaheim Ducks at New York Islanders Odds
Anaheim (+125) is currently the underdog to New York (-145). The Over/Under (O/U), set at 6 goals, originally opened at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. Those odds have moved, however, and they now sit at -135 money on the over, +115 on the under.
Earning 1.3 units for moneyline bettors, New York is 18-16 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (41-41). Through 34 regular season outings, 23 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 10-5 SU at home this year.
The Islanders have converted on 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for seventh-best in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 72.3 percent of all penalties.
The Islanders, as a collective unit, have been whistled for penalties just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five outings at home. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
With a .905 save percentage and 26.1 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (nine wins, 10 losses, and one OT loss) has been the primary option in goal for the Isles this year. If the Isles decide to give him the night off, however, head coach Doug Weight could go with Thomas Greiss (9-9-9 record, .883 save percentage, 3.83 goals against average).
The Isles will continue seeking leadership from Josh Bailey and John Tavares. Bailey (42 points) has tallied 10 goals and 32 assists and has recorded multiple points on 13 separate occasions this year. Tavares has 19 goals and 23 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 20 games.
On the other side of the ice, Anaheim is 14-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.5 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 35 regular season outings, 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Ducks are 6-11 SU as the road team this season.
The Ducks have converted on 17.3 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully defended 83.5 percent of all penalties.
Anaheim’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
John Gibson (.920 save percentage and 2.88 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 30.9 saves per game and has 10 wins, 17 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit.
Adam Henrique (eight goals, 14 assists) has been one of the top offensive playmakers for the visiting Ducks.
Anaheim Ducks at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Two of Anaheim’s last ten games have gone to a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-4 overall in shootouts this season.
The total has gone over in four of New York’s last five outings.
Anaheim has managed 28.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York is averaging 34.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
Over New York’s last ten outings, six of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 1-5 in those games).
Anaheim skaters have dished out the league’s ninth-most hits per game (23.3), but the team’s averaged just 18.0 hits over their last five away games.
