The Montreal Canadiens and New York Islanders meet Thursday in NHL action at the UBS Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Canadiens vs Islanders prediction.
Montreal Canadiens Betting Preview
The Montreal Canadiens recently lost to the Maple Leafs and Rangers while beating the Flyers. The Montreal Canadiens are averaging 2.79 goals per game and are scoring on 17.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Nick Suzuki leads Montreal with 33 goals, Mike Matheson has 49 assists and Cole Caufield has 296 shots on goal. Defensively, the Montreal Canadiens are allowing 3.4 goals per game and are killing 76.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Cayden Primeau has given up 58 goals on 647 shots faced, and Sam Montembeault has allowed 119 goals on 1,241 shots.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders recently beat the Flyers, Blackhawks, Blue Jackets, Predators, and Rangers. The New York Islanders are averaging 2.96 goals per game and are scoring on 20.2 percent of their power play opportunities. Bo Horvat leads New York with 33 goals, Noah Dobson has 60 assists and Brock Nelson has 237 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 3.19 goals per game and are killing 71.6 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ilya Sorokin has given up 161 goals on 1,734 shots faced, and Semyon Varlamov has allowed 66 goals on 799 shots.
New York Islanders Team Facts
- The Islanders have lost six of their last seven games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in eight of their last nine games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The Islanders have won the third period in each of their last four games following a win.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last four games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Montreal Canadiens Team Facts
- The Canadiens have lost each of their last six games following a home win.
- The Canadiens have covered the puck line in 12 of their last 15 games against the Islanders.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Canadiens’ last seven Thursday games.
- The Canadiens have won the first period in four of their last five games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Canadiens vs Islanders prediction
The Canadiens have won 3 of the last 4 games against the Islanders, so there’s reason to consider the big plus money. However, the Habs have nothing to play for at this stage and the Islanders are playing their best hockey of the season as they close in on a playoff spot. The Islanders have won 5 straight games and have allowed 2 or fewer goals in each of their last 4 games. These are games the Islanders need to take advantage of to make the postseason for the fifth time in the last 6 years. Give me the Islanders and the PL for max betting value.