The Vegas Golden Knights (15-11-4) visit the New York Islanders (18-6-2) Thursday at Nassau Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Golden Knights-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Golden Knights at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury vs. Semyon Varlamov
Fleury is 11-6-2 with a .919 save percentage and 2.54 goals against average through 19 starts and one relief appearance. He gave up four goals on 31 shots in a loss to the Edmonton Oilers his last time out, but he’s expected to start Thursday on 12 days rest.
Varlamov is 8-3-2 with a .922 SV% and 2.38 GAA through 13 starts and two relief appearances. He has been better on the road than at home, where his save percentage drops to .910 and GAA rises to 2.85.
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Golden Knights at Islanders: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated 10:15 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 3, Golden Knights 1
Moneyline (ML)
The ISLANDERS (-120) come into Thursday with a 11-2-1 home record. They’re coming off a 4-2 road loss against the Montreal Canadiens Tuesday and have lost four of their last six games following a five-game winning streak. The Golden Knights (+100) are an even-money bet while seeking a fifth straight win. They’re 8-6-1 on the road and 6-3-1 across their last 10 games.
Vegas went to extra time in two of its last four games and won by just a single tally in regulation over the New Jersey Devils Tuesday. The Islanders have won their last eight home games, including a 2-0 shutout of the Blue Jackets Saturday. Back the home team.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
The ISLANDERS (-1.5, +225) are 13-13 against the spread overall and 7-7 at home. The Golden Knights are 11-19 overall and 6-9 on the road. Each of Vegas’ last two losses were by two goals while the Islanders’ last two wins were each by two or more tallies. Double down on the home side with a much greater profit margin.
A $10 bet on the Islanders to win by at least two goals returns a profit of $22.50. The same wager for the outright win fetches a profit of $8.30.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 5.5 (-115). The Islanders fell short of that total in five of their last six games, while the Knights played to totals of fewer than five goals in two of their last three games. Vegas is 4-6 against the Over/Under across its last 10 games. New York is 5-5 against the O/U in the same span.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 104-85
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