Bet on NY Islanders vs NJ Devils Hockey Odds

The New Jersey Devils will look to get back in the win column and improve their playoff position when they take on a New York Islanders team that will enter this matchup with the exact same, playoff0improving mindset. With New York currently in sixth place in the Eastern Conference race for the postseason and New Jersey just one spot behind them, let’s find out which one of these hockey betting spreads will win and cash in!

Bet on New York Islanders vs New Jersey Devils Hockey Odds

When: 7:00 PM  ET, Friday, February 19, 2016 Where: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey TV: MSG+ 2 Radio:  WRHU 88.7 FM NHL Lines: TBA  

Why Bet The New York Islanders

The Islanders (30-19-3-3, 25-30 ATS) have won four of their last five games including their convincing 4-1 smackdown of Detroit on Monday night and now, the well-rested Isles will look to do the same to New Jersey. Centers Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey, along with defenseman Marek Zidlicky, all scored in the second period on Monday afternoon while goalie Thomas Greiss won his career-high fifth straight start. The win was just New York’s second in the last two months against one of the nine other Eastern Conference teams either currently in playoff position. “Especially after the game we played in Carolina, we wanted to come back, respond well,” said Nelson. “We didn’t play up to the standards that we expect here. Today we came out, did a really good job.” The win helped the Isles move past the Devils and into third place in the Metropolitan Division. “Just in general we needed a win,” Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said. “I mean, what are we – 10, 11 games over .500? And we’re still battling every night. It’s a battle in this division to try to make a playoff push.” The Isles rank sixth in scoring (2.9 gpg) and a respectable 12th in goals allowed (2.5 gpg).

Why Bet The New Jersey Devils

The Devils (29-22-16, 37-21 ATS) had their three-game winning streak emphatically snapped in their humbling 6-3 loss against Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Goaltender Cory Schneider allowed five goals on 25 shots while giving up more than four goals for the first time this season. “We had a 2-1 game going into the third, and we didn’t stick to the plan,” Devils defenseman Andy Greene said. “We were right there, had a couple breakdowns here and there, and all of a sudden, they took advantage of the opportunities, and we weren’t dialed in enough.” Now, the Devils are semi-desperate to get back in the win column against the Islanders. “It’s about coming back, and we’ll see how the team responds,” Devils left winger Joseph Blandisi said. “We’ve got a lot of good character in the dressing room, and I think our response on Friday is definitely huge for us.” New Jersey ranks a dismal 30th in scoring (2.2 gpg) but also ranks first in goals allowed (2.2 gpg).

Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

The first thing you need to know about this matchup is that the home team has won all three meetings this season with the Islanders winning two straight on their home ice. For this contest, I’m going to urge you to back the New York to break the home-winning trend by simply outscoring the offensively-challenged Devils. While the Islanders are just 2-5 in their last 7 road games, New York is also 5-1 in their last six games playing on 0 days rest. While the Devils have gone 5-1 in their last six home games against a team with a losing road record, New Jersey is also just 3-7 in their last 10 games against teams from the Metropolitan division and 1-4 in their last five games against their Eastern Conference rivals. The home team in this lengthy series is 5-2 in the last seven meetings, but the Islanders are 8-1 in the last nine meetings overall and I believe they’re the right pick to get another win in this contest!

My final score prediction is New York 3 New Jersey 2