The Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders meet in NHL action from the UBS Arena on Friday night. We have a heavyweight matchup on Long Island, who comes out on top? Let’s take a look and give out a Bruins vs. Islanders Prediction.
Boston Bruins Team Preview
The Boston Bruins come into this one looking to rebound from a 2-1 loss to New Jersey in their last matchup. David Pastrnak leads the Bruins in scoring with 39 points including a team-high 16 goals and 23 assists while Brad Marchand has 25 points with 12 goals and 13 assists. Charlie Coyle has 21 points with 10 goals and 11 assists while Pavel Zacha has 19 points with 8 goals and 11 apples. Charlie McAvoy has 17 points with 14 assists and James van Riemsdyk has 17 points with 5 goals and 12 assists. Jeremy Swayman’s gone 9-1-3 with a 2.07 GAA and a .933 save percentage for the Bruins in goal while Linus Ullmark is 9-4-1 with a 2.71 GAA and a .917 save percentage this season.
Boston Bruins Team Facts
- The Bruins have won each of their last five games against the Islanders.
- The Bruins have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven games as favorites against opponents on a winning streak.
- The Bruins have won the first period in five of their last six night games after coming off overtime.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Bruins’ last six games as favorites against Metropolitan Division opponents.
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New York Islanders Team Preview
The New York Islanders come into this one looking to build on a 4-3 win over the Anaheim Ducks last time out. Mathew Barzal leads the Islanders in scoring with 30 points including 10 goals and a team-high 20 assists while Noah Dobson has 29 points with 24 assists of his own and Brock Nelson’s added 23 points with a team-high 12 goals this season. Bo Horvat’s also chipped in 26 points with 10 goals and 16 assists and Kyle Palmieri has 18 points with 9 goals and 9 assists. Ilya Sorokin has posted a 8-4-6 record in goal for the Islanders this season with a 3.11 GAA and a .914 save percentage while Semyon Varlamov is 6-3-1 with a 2.60 GAA and a .921 save percentage this season.
New York Islanders Team Facts
- The Islanders have won each of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last nine games as underdogs.
- The favorites have won the second period in six of the last seven games between the Bruins and Islanders.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last six games as underdogs against Eastern Conference opponents.
Matchup/League Facts
- The New York Islanders ranks 30th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (72.62%).
- The New York Islanders ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (1).
- The Boston Bruins ranks 1st in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (90.10%).
- The Boston Bruins ranks 4th in the league for goals against per game this season (2.48).
Bruins vs. Islanders Prediction
I’m going to take a shot on the Islanders here. I’m not saying the Bruins are looking ahead, but this is a tough back-to-back and right now the Islanders are hot while the Bruins have to worry about this game and then the second half of a back-to-back against another one of the NHL’s elite when they host the Rangers on Saturday. All in all, I think this is an entertaining affair, but one that goes the way of the New York Islanders.
