The New York Islanders (16-5-2) host the Columbus Blue Jackets (11-10-4) Saturday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn with puck drop scheduled for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Blue Jackets-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Blue Jackets at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Elvis Merzlikins vs. Thomas Greiss
Merzlikins is 0-2-3 through his first five NHL starts and one relief appearance. The 25-year-old former third-round pick has a .890 save percentage and 3.54 goals against average. His last start was Nov. 23 against the Winnipeg Jets, when he allowed four goals on 31 shots.
Greiss was riding a personal eight-game winning streak before taking the loss his last time out, when he gave up three goals on 23 shots faced. He is 9-2-0 on the season with a .930 SV% and 2.15 GAA. Both rates would be the best of his career if they hold through the end of the season.
BetMGM BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL
BET $1, WIN $250 in free bets if ANY NFL team scores a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Bet now and win!
Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.
Blue Jackets 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 Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 6, Blue Jackets 1
Moneyline (ML)
The -176 odds for the ISLANDERS to win outright are much more appealing than they should be. New York has lost three in a row but has been off since Wednesday and returns home from a three-game swing through California. The Isles are 10-2-1 on home ice and have won their last five games against Eastern Conference opponents.
The Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 at home Friday but they’re just 3-4-3 on the road for the season and have a goal differential of minus-12 as they turn to their backup goaltender Saturday.
New to sports betting? A $10 wager on the Islanders to win would return a profit of $5.68.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Increase your potential profit with the ISLANDERS by backing them to cover the spread of -1.5 (+165) and win by two or more goals. The Isles are 11-12 on the puck line overall and 6-7 at home while the Jackets are 12-13 overall and 7-3 on the road. The Isles have the home, rest and goaltending advantages and their unsuccessful road trip can be swept aside.
Over/Under (O/U)
New York is 5-5 against the O/U across its last 10 games while Columbus is 4-5-1 in the same span. Take the OVER 5.5 (+105) with the Islanders set up to take care of the bulk of the scoring against the unproven rookie.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 92-80
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]