In this article we will formulate an Islanders vs Blackhawks prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, March 24th at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders are 40-26-5 this year after they defeated the Blue Jackets by a score of 1-0 in their last game. New York scored just 1:25 into the first period and they played great defense in the shutout win. The Islanders were out shot by a total of 26-22, won 60% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. New York got their lone goal from Horvat, while Sorokin stopped all 26 shots in the shutout win.
Prior to that game, New York lost to the Canadiens by a score of 7-3 and the Senators by a score of 3-2. The Islanders have won three of their last five games and they are currently fourth in the Metro standings with 85 points. New York has scored 2.85 goals per game and they have allowed 2.78 goals against per game, while also going 16.6% on the power play and 81.1% on the penalty kill this season. Mathew Barzal has led New York with 18 goals and 46 assists, while Matthew Schaefer has added 22 goals and 29 assists. The projected starting goalie for New York is Ilya Sorokin, who is 26-17-2 with a 2.53 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this year.
Chicago Blackhawks Betting Preview
The Chicago Blackhawks are 26-31-13 this season after they lost to the Predators in overtime by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Chicago led 2-1 in the third period, but they allowed the tying goal with about 10 minutes left and lost early in OT. The Blackhawks were out shot by a total of 33-29, won 47.9% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. Chicago got goals from Bedard and Lardis, while Knight stopped 30 out of 33 shots, which was a .909 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Chicago lost to the Avalanche by a score of 4-1, but did beat the Wild by a score of 2-1 before that. The Blackhawks have lost four of their last five games and they are currently last in the Central standings with 65 points. Chicago has scored 2.57 goals per game and they have allowed 3.14 goals against per game, while also going 18.3% on the power play and 84.4% on the penalty kill this season. Connor Bedard has led Chicago with 29 goals and 37 assists, while Tyler Bertuzzi has added 28 goals and 22 assists. The projected starting goalie for Chicago is Spencer Knight, who is 18-19-10 with a 2.64 goals against average and a .909 save percentage this season.
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The Blackhawks have lost each of their last seven Tuesday games.
- The Islanders have won each of their last five home games following a home win.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last five home games following a home win.
- The Blackhawks have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Blackhawks have lost the second period in seven of their last eight games against Eastern Conference opponents when leading after the first period.
Why the Chicago Blackhawks will win
- The underdogs have won five of the Islanders’ last six games at UBS Arena.
- The Islanders have lost four of their last five games as home favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last seven home games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Islanders’ last six games at UBS Arena.
- The Blackhawks have won the second period in five of their last six games when trailing after the first period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Islanders’ last eight night games against the Blackhawks following a win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Blackhawks’ last nine road games have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last eight games as home favorites.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Blackhawks’ last eight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Bo Horvat has scored at least one goal in seven of his last eight appearances with his team as a favorite against the Blackhawks.
- Mathew Barzal has recorded at least one assist in each of the Islanders’ last five games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
- Brayden Schenn has recorded 24 career assists against the Blackhawks – most against any opponent (including playoffs).
Chicago Blackhawks Player Prop Facts
- Teuvo Teravainen has scored a goal in three of his last four appearances against the Islanders.
- Connor Bedard has recorded at least one assist in each of his three previous appearances against the Islanders.
- Nick Lardis has recorded five shots against the Islanders this season – equal-most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Islanders rank T4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.77).
- The New York Islanders rank T27th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.59%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (84.36%).
- The Chicago Blackhawks rank 30th in the league for goals per game this season (2.57).
Islanders vs Blackhawks Prediction
New York comes into this matchup battling for a playoff spot, so every game is important. The Islanders are 19-11-2 at home this year, while the Blackhawks are 13-15-6 on the road. Chicago has lost four of their last five games and they have scored two goals or fewer in four of those five. The Blackhawks are only scoring 2.57 goals per game and the Islanders have allowed two goals or fewer in three of their last five, so I like the under in this contest.