The Montreal Canadiens (31-43-6) visit the New York Islanders (41-31-9) on Wednesday. Puck drop from UBS Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Canadiens vs. Islanders odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Canadiens were drilled 7-1 by the Toronto Maple Leafs on the road last time out on Saturday. Montreal has dropped 5 of the past 6 games while cashing the Over in the past 2 games.
The Islanders were tripped up 5-2 on the road by the Washington Capitals Monday, snapping a 2-game win streak. This is the final game for the Isles, and they holds a narrow 1-point lead over the Penguins for the final Wild Card in the Eastern Conference.
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Canadiens at Islanders odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:05 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Canadiens +280 (bet $100 to win $280) | Islanders -350 (bet $350 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canadiens +1.5 (+110) | Islanders -1.5 (-135)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Canadiens at Islanders projected goalies
Sam Montembeault (16-17-3, 3.36 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (30-22-7, 2.35 GAA, .924 SV%, 6 SO)
Montembeault is expected to get the nod in the penultimate game for the Habs. He was smashed for 7 goals on 46 shots in Toronto last time out on Saturday and has won just once in the past 4 starts.
Montembeault allowed 3 goals on 30 shots in a 4-3 OT win over the Isles on Feb. 11 in his most recent meeting with New York. He also allowed just 2 goals on 38 shots in a hard-luck 2-1 loss on the Island back on Jan. 14.
Sorokin coughed up 3 goals on 23 shots in a 5-2 loss at Washington last time out Monday. Still, he is a solid 2-3-0 with a 2.24 GAA and .927 SV% with a shutout in 5 April starts.
Sorokin allowed just a single goal on 23 shots in a 2-1 win over the Habs on Jan. 14 in Elmont.
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Canadiens at Islanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 5, Canadiens 2
Moneyline
The Islanders (-350) will cost you 3 1/2 times your potential return, and that’s way too expensive for a standalone wager or even as part of a parlay. There is no value in playing such heavy favorites.
PASS, and look to the puck line instead.
Puck line/Against the spread
The ISLANDERS -1.5 (-135) are a much better play on home ice against the Canadiens in this must-win game.
Prior to the 5-2 loss in D.C., the Isles had won and cashed on the puck line as a favorite in the previous 2 outings. There is a risk here, too, however, as the Isles are 0-2 against the spread vs. the Canadiens this season, both as a favorite.
Over/Under
The OVER 6 (+100) is the lean in this all-important game for the Islanders.
The thinking here is that the Islanders are going to be super aggressive on offense, and they won’t show any signs of letting up until they know the win is in the bag and a postseason spot locked up.
The Over is 5-2-1 in the past 8 games on the road for the Habs while going 9-3 in their past 12 games against Metropolitan Division teams.
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