Two teams squaring off for the first time this year, the New York Islanders and the Florida Panthers collide at the BB&T Center for an Eastern Conference tilt. The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday, December 4, and it can be caught live on MSG Network.
New York Islanders at Florida Panthers Odds
Florida (-115) is currently favored over New York (-105) and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-135 for the over, +115 for the under).
New York is 15-10 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 25 regular season matches, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Islanders team is 7-7 SU on the road.
New York has converted on 21.6 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 25th overall, and the team’s successfully killed off only 77.5 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Isles have been penalized just 3.6 times per game in the 2017-18 season, 3.0 per game over its past five contests total, and 3.8 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 29.1 saves per game with a .896 save percentage, Thomas Greiss (8-5-2) has been the top option in goal for New York this year. If it decides to rest him, however, New York might turn to Jaroslav Halak (7-7 record, .905 save percentage, 2.86 goals against average).
Josh Bailey and John Tavares will both be relied on to facilitate things for the visiting Islanders. Bailey (30 points) is up to five goals and 25 assists, and has recorded two or more points in nine different games. Tavares has 16 goals and 13 assists to his creditand has logged a point in 13 games.
Florida is 10-16 straight up (SU) and has lost 6.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. 13 of its contests have gone over the total, while another 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This season, the team is 5-7 SU as the home team.
The Panthers have converted on just 15.1 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that places them in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Florida players have been sent to the penalty box 4.3 times per game in total this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Roberto Luongo (33.1 saves per game) has been the primary selection in goal for the Panthers. Luongo has six wins, eight losses, and one overtime loss to his credit and has maintained a mediocre 2.61 goals against average and a .928 save percentage this year.
Jonathan Huberdeau (eight goals, 18 assists) will lead the attack for the Panthers.
New York Islanders at Florida Panthers Betting Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Panthers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
Florida is 2-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 1-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in four of Florida’s last five games.
New York has managed 30.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Florida is averaging 36.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Six of New York’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-2 in those games.
