In this article, we will formulate an Islanders vs Canadiens prediction for this NHL game on Thursday, March 20th 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 31-28-8 this season after they defeated Pittsburgh by a score of 4-2 in their last game. New York trailed 2-0 heading into the third period, but they scored four goals in the third for the win. The Islanders outshot Pittsburgh by a total of 38-21, won 45.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. New York got goals from Engvall, Holmstrom, Palmieri, and Dobson, while Sorokin stopped 19 out of 21 shots in the game.
Prior to that comeback win, the Islanders defeated the Panthers by a score of 4-2 but did lose to the Oilers by a score of 2-1 before that. New York has won four of their last seven games and they are currently fifth in the Metro standings with 70 points. New York has scored 2.70 goals per game and they have allowed 2.94 goals against per game, while also going 11.4% on the power play and 71.2% on the penalty kill this season. Anders Lee has led New York with 25 goals, 21 assists, and 189 shots on goal, while Bo Horvat has added 21 goals, 24 assists, and 200 shots on goal. Ilya Sorokin is 26-20-5 with a 2.72 goals against average and a .907 save percentage this season.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens are 33-27-7 this year after they defeated Ottawa by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Montreal trailed 2-1 after two periods and 3-2 in the third, but they scored the last four goals in the game for the win. The Canadiens outshot Ottawa by a total of 33-25, won 38.3% of the face-offs, and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Montreal got goals from Anderson (2), Dvorak, Gallagher, Suzuki, and Hutson, while Montembeault stopped 22 out of 25 shots in the win.
Prior to that game, the Canadiens defeated the Panthers by a score of 3-1 but did lose to the Kraken by a score of 5-4 before that. Montreal has won three of their last four games and they are currently fifth in the Atlantic standings with 73 points. Montreal has scored 3.00 goals per game and they have allowed 3.24 goals against per game, while also going 21.9% on the power play and 81.7% on the penalty kill this season. Nick Suzuki has led Montreal with 21 goals, 49 assists, and 137 shots on goal, while Cole Caufield has added 33 goals, 28 assists, and 198 shots on goal this year. Sam Montembeault is 25-21-4 with a 2.84 goals against average and a .901 save percentage this season.
Why the Canadiens will beat the Islanders
- The Canadiens have won each of their last six games as road underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Islanders have lost five of their last six games as home favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the puck line in each of the Canadiens’ last 11 games.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in 14 of their last 15 games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Canadiens have won the third period in each of their last four games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Four of the Canadiens’ last five road games against Metropolitan Division opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Four of the Islanders’ last five games against opponents on a winning streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last four games as favorites.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Bo Horvat has scored at least one goal in four of the Islanders’ last five games as home favorites.
- Kyle Palmieri has recorded at least one point in each of his last six appearances with his team as a home favorite against the Canadiens.
- Noah Dobson has recorded at least one assist in seven of the Islanders’ last eight games against the Canadiens.
Montreal Canadiens Player Prop Facts
- Cole Caufield has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Canadiens’ last 10 games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- Cole Caufield has scored at least one goal in four of the Canadiens’ last five games against the Islanders.
- Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one point in each of the Canadiens’ last eight games against the Islanders.
Islanders vs Canadiens Prediction
Both of these teams come into this contest on two-game winning streaks, but New York will be on home ice here. The Islanders are 16-13-3 at home this season, while the Canadiens are 15-15-3 on the road. Montreal has won three of their last four games, while New York has dropped three of their last five. This game is super important to both sides, as they are in the Wild Card race in the East, but I like how Montreal is playing right now. New York has played a very poor first and second period over their last two games, only to get bailed out by playing well in the third, but that luck cannot continue. Take the Canadiens to get the win here.