NHL predictions: Islanders challenging for a playoff spot

NHL predictions: Islanders challenging for a playoff spot

While many teams bolstered their rosters at Friday’s NHL trade deadline, the New York Islanders conspicuously remained steadfast, neither buyers nor sellers.

Monday’s 3-0 defeat at Los Angeles, in the second game of a back-to-back, snapped a six-game Isles winning streak. With 72 points in 64 games, the Islanders are two points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division and effectively tied with the slumping Detroit Red Wings for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

While the Islanders have not been a stellar possession team, they have fared better since hiring Patrick Roy as head coach. In 19 games since Roy took over, the Islanders have a 10-6-3 record and rank sixth with 53.9 percent of score-and-venue-adjusted expected goals during five-on-five play.

Can they keep that momentum going to win a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs? 

The Islanders are priced at +2000* to win the Eastern Conference and +4550* to win the Stanley Cup.

Here are some best bets to consider on Pinnacle for Tuesday’s schedule.

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Best Money Line Bet

Clinging to their playoff hopes, the Seattle Kraken have a 7-4-1 record over the past month, thanks in large part to stellar goaltending. Kraken goaltenders Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord have combined for a .923 save percentage in those 12 games, ranking fourth in the NHL over that span.

While the Vegas Golden Knights are intent on defending their championship, and bolstered their roster at the trade deadline, they also have a 3-8-1 record in the past dozen games. They are below average in terms of shot attempts and expected goals during five-on-five play in that time, which is not a recipe for earning road wins.

This figures to be a competitive matchup, but the Kraken offer more value based on the available price.

Kraken ML (+128*)

Best Handicap Bet

Philadelphia Flyers head coach John Tortorella will be serving the first game of his two-game suspension against the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday. The Flyers have been playing well enough, controlling 54.1% of expected goals over the past month that they should be able to withstand Tortorella’s absence.

Part of the reason for that optimism is not only that the Flyers are hosting the San Jose Sharks, it is a Sharks squad down to its third string goaltender, Magnus Chrona. The 23-year-old was great in his last start, stopping 31 of 32 shots in a win over Ottawa, but he has a .864 save percentage in five NHL games. At the very least, this is a point of vulnerability on a team full of them.

Not only should the Flyers win against San Jose, but it shouldn’t be particularly close.

Flyers -1.5 (-126*)

Best Total Bet

When a matchup involves two porous defensive teams, there is a good chance that the game can hit the Over. The Anaheim Ducks rank 29th over the past month with a goals against average of 4.05 and rank 28th with 3.48 expected goals against per 60 minutes. They have some promising young players, but the Ducks are also still trying to develop the structure required to be a winning hockey club.

In their past 11 games, the Ducks have gone over six goals seven times while landing exactly on that total once.

It’s not like the Chicago Blackhawks are much better. They rank 28th with a goals against average of 3.84 over the past month and 21st with 3.18 expected goals against per 60 minutes. 

Chicago also has star rookie center Connor Bedard available to exploit Anaheim’s defensive shortcomings. In a dozen games since returning from a broken jaw, Bedard has four goals, nine assists and 37 shots on goal. 

Ducks-Blackhawks Over 6 (-101*)

Best Player Prop Bet

Returning from injury, Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust slides onto the right wing with Sidney Crosby on Pittsburgh’s top line, as well as taking a spot on the first power play unit.

While Rust was held off the scoresheet in his return to action Sunday against Edmonton, he still played more than 19 minutes and recorded six shots on goal. He is getting opportunities.

Rust has recorded at least one point in 12 of 20 road games this season.

In the past month, the Ottawa Senators have a goals against average of 3.32 and a save percentage of .877, both of which are below average. 

That’s a favorable enough matchup for Pittsburgh’s No. 1 line to take advantage and Rust to find his way onto the scoresheet.

Bryan Rust Over 0.5 points (-125*)

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