The Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders meet Saturday in NHL action from the UBS Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders prediction.
Washington Capitals Recap
The Washington Capitals come into this game looking to bounce back from a 3-1 loss at the hands of the Boston Bruins last time out to sit at 0-1 this season. After this game, Washington will head on the road for a game against the New York Rangers.
Capitals Looking For Bounce Back After Offensive Dud
The game started scoreless through the first 20 minutes before Boston took the lead just after the midway point of the second frame. Tom Wilson got the Caps on the board to tie the game 7:03 into the third period. The tie would last all of 38 seconds though as Boston would restore the lead and despite Washington’s best effort, Boston would secure the win by potting an empty-netter in the final minute to send Washington back empty-handed. Logan Thompson ended up with the loss after allowing both goals on 21 shots to fall to 0-1 on the year.
Why the Washington Capitals will win
- The Capitals have won each of their last nine road games following a home loss.
- The Islanders have lost each of their last seven night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Capitals have covered the puck line in eight of their last nine road games following a home loss.
Washington Capitals Player Prop Facts
- Alex Ovechkin has scored the last goal in three of his last four appearances with the Capitals as road favorites against the Islanders.
- Alex Ovechkin has scored at least one goal in each of his last four appearances with the Capitals as road favorites against the Islanders.
- Dylan Strome has recorded at least one point in 14 of the Capitals’ last 15 games as road favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
- Dylan Strome has recorded an assist in each of the Capitals’ last four games as road favorites.
- John Carlson ranks 6th in the league for average time on ice (26:39) this season.
New York Islanders Recap
The New York Islanders come into this game looking to rebound from a 4-3 loss to start the year at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins. After this game, the Islanders will take on the Winnipeg Jets at home.
Islanders Looking To Bounce Back In Home Opener
The Penguins opened the scoring just 3:23 into the game before Jonathan Drouin tied the game at one with just under eight minutes to go in the opening period. Kyle Palmieri gave New York the lead just over four minutes into the second but Pittsburgh would tie the game just 1:37 later and re-take the lead 3:17 after that. Maxim Shabanov would tie things up at three in the final minute of the second but Pittsburgh would take the lead for good with just over five minutes to go in the game, sending the Islanders away with an L in the first game of the year. Ilya Sorokin gave up four goals on 28 shots faced in the losing effort to start the year 0-1.
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The underdogs have won six of the Capitals’ last seven games at UBS Arena.
- The Capitals have lost five of their last seven games as road favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Capitals have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last nine games as road favorites against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last six games as underdogs against the Capitals.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Anders Lee has scored a goal in five of the Islanders’ last six games as underdogs against the Capitals.
- Anders Lee has recorded at least one point in each of the Islanders’ last six games as underdogs against the Capitals.
- Jonathan Drouin has recorded an assist in four of his five previous appearances with his team as a home underdog against the Capitals.
- Anders Lee has recorded at least four shots in each of his last three appearances – equal-longest active streak in the league.
Total Goals Facts
- Ten of the Capitals’ last 11 games as road favorites against opponents on a losing streak have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Seven of the Islanders’ last eight games as home underdogs against opponents on a losing streak have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five games between teams from the same division have gone OVER the total goals line.
Washington Capitals vs. New York Islanders Prediction
I’m on the Islanders here. I get the case to be made for the Capitals in a bit of a rivalry matchup, but the Islanders still looked solid in the opener offensively, and a lot more explosive than we’re used to seeing them be in terms of scoring and Ilya Sorokin had an off night but on his top tier, he’s one of the best, if not the best net minders in the NHL. I think the Islanders take care of business in their home opener so give me the Isles here.