Two clubs that are squaring off for the fourth and final time this season, the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils clash at the Prudential Center in a Metropolitan Division tilt. MSG Network will showcase the matchup, and the action gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 31.
New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils Odds
New Jersey enters the contest as the heavy favorite with a -230 moneyline. The line for New York sits at +190, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -130 for the over and +110 for the under.
New Jersey is 40-37 straight up (SU) and has earned 9.9 units for moneyline bettors this season. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising turnaround from how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (28-54). Of its 77 games this season, 39 have gone over the total, while 36 have gone under and just two have pushed. This season, the team’s 20-18 SU at home.
The Devils have converted on 21.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated ninth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.1 percent of all penalties.
The Devils, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.9 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, in total.
Averaging 28.0 saves per game with a .909 save percentage, Cory Schneider (18 wins, 21 losses, and six OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for New Jersey this year. If New Jersey chooses to rest him, however, the team might turn to Keith Kinkaid (22-15-15 record, .910 save percentage, 2.89 goals against average).
The Devils will continue looking for leadership via Taylor Hall and Nico Hischier. Hall (86 points) is up to 34 goals and 52 assists and has recorded two or more points on 25 different occasions this year. Hischier has 18 goals and 32 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 35 games.
On the other bench, New York is 32-46 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 78 regular season matches, 46 of its games have gone over the total, while 28 have gone under and just three have pushed. As the visiting team, the Islanders are 15-24 SU.
The Islanders have scored on 22.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that’s good enough for sixth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 32nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 74.3 percent of all penalties.
New York’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.4 times per game in total this season, and 5.0 per game over their last five on the road. The team has been forced to kill penalties 8.6 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Jaroslav Halak (29.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for New York. Halak owns a 19-34-6 record, while registering a .906 save percentage and 3.24 goals against average this year.
John Tavares (34 goals, 46 assists) and Mathew Barzal (20 goals, 58 assists) are the top offensive options for New York and will lead the attack for the visiting Islanders.
New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils Free Picks
Free Pick: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Six of New York’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
Power-play opportunities could prove to be key in tonight’s matchup. The Islanders are 12-24 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 20-35 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Devils are 11-21 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 21-28 when they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
New Jersey is 5-4 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 3-3 in shootouts.
New Jersey may hold the upper hand if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 22-17 in games decided by one goal, while New York is 13-20 in such games.
The over has hit in four of New Jersey’s last five outings.
New Jersey skaters have averaged 7.6 giveaways over its last five home games, right in line with its season average of 7.9 giveaways per game (ranked 8th overall).
New York is ranked 27th this season with 11.4 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it’s averaged 13.2 giveaways over its last 10 games and 14.0 giveaways over its last five.
The Devils this season have handed the 12th-most hits in the NHL (22.5 per game).
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