The Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Islanders meet Sunday in NHL action at the UBS Arena. Here’s an Islanders vs. Blue Jackets Prediction. This article will include an Islanders vs. Blue Jackets Pick.
Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Preview
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Kraken and Rangers and play the Flyers next. The Blue Jackets have won 4 straight games.
The Columbus Blue Jackets are averaging 3.22 goals per game and are scoring on 20.3 percent of their power play opportunities. Kirill Marchenko leads Columbus with 25 goals, Zach Werenski has 55 assists and Adam Fantilli has 185 shots on goal. Defensively, the Columbus Blue Jackets are allowing 3.09 goals per game and are killing 77.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Jet Greaves has allowed 114 goals on 1,249 shots faced, and Elvis Merzlikins has given up 87 goals on 755 shots.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders lost to the Senators and Habs, and they play the Blackhawks next. The Islanders have split their last 10 games.
The New York Islanders are averaging 2.87 goals per game and are scoring 16.8 percent of their power play opportunities. Bo Horvat leads New York with 28 goals, Mathew Barzal has 46 assists and Matthew Schaefer has 176 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 2.81 goals per game and are killing 81.1 percent of their opponent’s power plays. David Rittich has allowed 70 goals on 684 shots faced, and Ilya Sorokin has given up 113 goals on 1,269 shots.
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The Islanders have won eight of their last nine games at home as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Blue Jackets have lost each of their last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Islanders.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as home underdogs against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Blue Jackets have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five road games.
- The Islanders have won the first period in each of their last four home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Why the Columbus Blue Jackets will win
- The Blue Jackets have won each of their last six night games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Islanders have lost each of their last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have covered the puck line in 10 of their last 11 road games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Blue Jackets.
- The Blue Jackets have won the third period in seven of their last eight games as favorites following a win.
Total Goals Facts
- Seven of the Islanders’ last eight games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Eight of the Blue Jackets’ last 10 games against opponents on a losing streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Three of the last four games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last seven night games at UBS Arena.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in eight of the Blue Jackets’ last nine games following a home win.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Matthew Schaefer has scored at least one goal in five of the Islanders’ last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Kyle Palmieri has recorded an assist in each of his last four appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Simon Holmstrom has scored two goals against the Blue Jackets this season—the most against any opponent.
Columbus Blue Jackets Player Prop Facts
- Kirill Marchenko has scored at least one goal in six of his last seven road appearances against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Kirill Marchenko has recorded at least one assist in each of the Blue Jackets’ last six games against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- Denton Mateychuk has recorded two assists against the Islanders this season—the most against any opponent.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Islanders rank 6th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.81).
- The New York Islanders rank 26th in the league in power play percentage this season (16.83%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 25th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (77.49%).
- The Columbus Blue Jackets rank 3rd in the league for Period 1 goals allowed per game this season (0.72).
Islanders vs Blue Jackets Prediction
Both teams are on the end of a back-to-back; the Islanders should have the edge at home. However, we’re getting a cheap price with the Blue Jackets, who are simply the better team playing the more consistent hockey. The Blue Jackets are on a tear offensively during this winning stretch as they close in on a playoff spot. The Islanders are coming off a failure of a road trip and that defensive effort comes and goes. In a pick ’em spot, I’m going to side with the better team more times than not. Even on the road, I’ll roll with the Blue Jackets.