The Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders meet Thursday in NHL action at the Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Ottawa Senators Betting Preview 

The Ottawa Senators look for their first road win to get a game above a .500 record. The Senators lost their only other road game, which was their season opener. The Ottawa Senators are averaging 4.17 goals per game and are scoring on 22.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Brady Tkachuk leads Ottawa with 4 goals, Vladimir Tarasenko has 5 assists and Tim Stutzle has 24 shots on goal. Defensively, the Ottawa Senators are allowing 3.5 goals per game and are killing 73.9 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Anton Forsberg has allowed 8 goals on 63 shots faced, and Joonas Korpisalo has given up 12 goals on 94 shots.

Ottawa Senators Team Facts

• The Senators have won six of their last eight games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Senators have covered the puck line in each of their last seven games as underdogs following a home loss.
• The Senators have won the first period in each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Senators’ last 13 games as underdogs against opponents on a losing streak.

New York Islanders Betting Preview

The New York Islanders need a win here to snap a 3-game losing streak. The Islanders have split their first four home games. The New York Islanders are averaging 2.6 goals per game and are scoring on 12.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Brock Nelson leads New York with 3 goals, Noah Dobson has 4 assists and Mathew Barzal has 20 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 68.8 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ilya Sorokin has given up 12 goals on 120 shots faced, and Semyon Varlamov has allowed 3 goals on 43 shots.

New York Islanders Team Facts

• The Islanders have won each of their last 12 games as home favorites following a home loss.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last four games as favorites.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in four of the Islanders’ last five games against opponents on a losing streak.
• The Islanders have won the first period in five of their last six home games following a home loss.

Matchup/League Facts

• The New York Islanders ranks T29th in the league in penalty kill percentage this season (68.75%).
• The New York Islanders ranks T1st in the league in short handed goals allowed this season (0).
• The Ottawa Senators ranks T4th in the league for goals per game this season (4.17).
• The Ottawa Senators ranks 2nd in the league for shots against per game this season (26.3).

Randy’s Pick

The Ottawa Senators have shown flashes through their first six games this season, but the defense has to improve, and they still have to show they can play well on the road. The New York Islanders have been a mess up to this point, but the defensive effort is better than what it’s shown, and I expect things to turn around at some point. The Islanders have shown us consistency on the defensive side over the years, so I believe things will switch up. At home and a cheap price. I’m going to give the Islanders the benefit of the doubt and lay the juice.