The New Jersey Devils (2-0-1) look to stay hot Thursday in the first game of a home-and-home against the New York Islanders (2-1-0). Puck drop at Nassau Coliseum is set for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Devils-Islanders NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Devils at Islanders: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Devils +130 (bet $100 to win $130) | Islanders -155 (bet $155 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Devils +1.5 (-225) | Islanders -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +115 | U: -140)
Devils at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Mackenzie Blackwood (2-0-1, .948 SV%, 1.90 GAA) vs. Semyon Varlamov (2-0-0, 1.00 SV%, 0.00 GAA)
Blackwood has been a huge reason for the Devils’ hot start. The 24-year-old stopped 47 of a ridiculous 50 shots on goal in a win over the New York Rangers Tuesday.
Varlamov was expected to hand over the No. 1 job to rookie Ilya Sorokin at some point this season, but the veteran has started with back-to-back shutouts with 51 total saves to stay on top of the depth chart. He allowed 2 goals on 31 shots in his only start against the Devils last season.
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Devils at Islanders: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Devils 3, Islanders 1
Money line (ML)
The DEVILS (+130) are the play for a road upset. The Islanders are last in the league with a Corsi For percentage of just 42.9% at 5-on-5. The measure of total shot attempts, including blocked and missed shots, shows New York has been far too reliant on the brilliant goaltending of Varlamov. The Devils are just 22nd in the NHL, but it’s a big enough difference to trust and want to take the value.
The Isles are without a key offensive contributor in RW Josh Bailey (COVID-19). New Jersey is missing C Nico Hischier (leg) but C Jack Hughes is emerging as a very early MVP candidate.
The oddsmakers don’t seem to be trusting Blackwood’s incredible start, but bettors should in what projects as a night with a lesser workload for him.
Against the spread (ATS)
Like the Devils to win outright, I’ll add the insurance of a 1-goal loss by taking NEW JERSEY +1.5 (-225) on the puck line. New Jersey has at least a point in all three games and will keep it tight in a goalie duel.
Over/Under (O/U)
Following suit, let’s add the UNDER 5.5 (-140) in a battle of two teams struggling to generate consistent offensive pressure. Both goaltenders are in for some regression on their early-season performance, but it’s unlikely to start in this spot.
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