Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the New Jersey Devils. Don’t forget to check out all the action, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs New Jersey Devils
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSGSN, MSGSN2
This matchup features two Metropolitan Division rivals going head-to-head. It will be the second of three matchups between the two. The first was a 4-3 overtime win for the Islanders in New Jersey. This most recent matchup will happen on Long Island inside the UBS Arena. The Islanders are in fifth place in the division with a record of 6-6-2 through 14 games. In contrast, the Devils sit near the top of the division in second place with a record of 9- 5- 2 through 16 games.
The Islanders Story
The Islanders are winners of three of their last four. The new pesky Islanders’ identity is being established with all the injuries they’re dealing with. Down two-thirds of their top line and the entire left side of their blueline is out, but this team isn’t backing down. The new-look first line has stepped up. Bo Horvat in particular, has seven points in the four games since the Mathew Barzal injury news. His linemates have stepped up too, Jean-Gabriel Pageau has scored in three of those four games. Captain Anders Lee is on a four-game, six-point streak. The Islanders still rank 28th in goals with 2.43 per game but are improving from dead-last where they were just last week. Their power play ranks 28th as well and is still a work in progress at 13.6%.
The defence has still been good despite all the injuries. The Islanders rank 11th in goals against with 3.00 per game. 20-year-old rookie Isaiah George deserves major credit for stepping into a big role. He played 15:41 in his NHL debut, before playing 23:59 in their 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. Coach Patrick Roy has begun to trust him, quickly moving him next to Noah Dobson. The goalies for the Islanders deserve a lot of praise as well as the team has allowed the 1oth most high-danger shots with 31. Starter Ilya Sorokin has been carrying the load with a record of 4-3-1 with a 2.35 GAA and .921 SV%, he started the last three games before the last one. Semyon Varlamov has struggled but stepped up big in the last game and played great. His numbers aren’t great, a record of 2-3-1 with a 3.01 GAA and .887 SV%, but has been heating up in his last two starts.
The Devils Story
Unlike the last time these two played, New Jersey won’t be on the second of a back-to-back. Instead, this game is the first of one so they will be rested. The Devils have one of the best offences in the league and have scored three or more goals in nine of the last 10 games. They rank seventh in goals with 3.63 per game and get shots from all over. Led by second linemen Jesper Bratt who scored twice in their last game. He has 18 points in 16 games. Their first line is still centred by Nico Hischier, who is point-per game with 16 in 16 games. Even defensemen Dougie Hamilton has nine points over the last 10 games. Their offence is powered by one of the best powerplays in the league, ranking fifth at 28.6%.
The Devils defence and goaltending have both been much improved as well. They rank seventh in goals against with 2.81 per game. The last time these two played they ranked 16th. The improvement started from allowing less chances, they rank sixth in shots against with 27.63 per game. The goalies aren’t amazing but they are passable and have improved since the last meeting. The Devils have allowed the 11th most high danger shots against with 29, but the goalies have been up to the task. Jacob Markstrom has a record of 6-4-1 with a 2.65 GAA and .904 SV%. Jake Allen has a record of 3-1-1 with a 2.60 GAA and .904 SV%.
NHL Predictions Isles and Devils
The Devils high flying offense will be tough to stop especially with the Islanders being banged up. New Jersey can light it up on any given night, this game will come down to the Islanders ability to stop them. The pesky Islanders identity will be tested, but they can overcome this feat to pull off the upset on the Island.
Prediciton: Islanders win 4-3
Prop Bets
According to Fanduel, the Islanders are the underdog at +126 on the money line, we like the juice here so take that. This games over/under is set at 6.5. With the Islanders finding their groove offensively and the always dangerous Devils forwards, take the over at +110. As far as any time goal scorers, Bo Horvat has been really stepping up for the Islanders so take him. For the Devils Jesper Bratt had two in the last game so we think he’ll keep the good times rolling in this game, take him to score another.
Main Photo Credit: Ed Mulholland – USA TODAY Sports
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