Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Florida Panthers and the New York Islanders meet at the Barclays Center for an Eastern Conference matchup. The match gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 30, and fans at home can watch the game live on MSG Network.
Florida Panthers vs. New York Islanders Odds
New York enters the matchup as the heavy favorite with a moneyline of -165. The line for Florida sits at +145, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
New York is 25-25 straight up (SU) and has recorded -0.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from the 41-41 record the team produced during last year’s regular season campaign. Through 50 regular season outings, 32 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team’s 13-10 SU at home this season.
The Islanders have converted on 20.1 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 73.5 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Islanders have been whistled for penalties just 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their past five contests. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for just 7.6 minutes per game over their last five outings, in total.
Averaging 29.8 saves per game with a .909 save percentage, Jaroslav Halak (15-18-3) has been the primary option in goal for the Isles this year. If the Isles, however, decide to rest him, head coach Doug Weight could go with Thomas Greiss (10-11-11 record, .886 save percentage, 3.89 goals against average).
The Isles will continue seeking leadership from John Tavares and Josh Bailey. Tavares (57 points) is up to 26 goals and 31 assists and has recorded multiple points in 17 different games this year. Bailey has 12 goals and 42 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 31 games.
Over on the other bench, Florida is 19-28 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.2 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 26 of its matches have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under and none have pushed. The Panthers are 8-17 SU as an away team this season.
The Panthers have converted on just 16.0 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 21st overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Florida’s skaters have been penalized 4.6 times per game in total this season, and 6.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays an unhealthy 16.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
James Reimer (3.04 goals against average and .911 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Florida. Reimer is averaging 27.7 saves per game and owns a 13-19-5 record.
For the visiting Panthers, the offense will run through Jonathan Huberdeau (16 goals, 31 assists) and Vincent Trocheck (18 goals, 26 assists).
Florida Panthers at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
New York is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Florida is 2-3 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in three of New York’s last five games.
The Panthers have averaged the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.5) while New York has attempted the 21st-most (just 31.2).
Over Florida’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
