The New York Islanders (23-10-3) visit the Minnesota Wild (19-15-5) for a Sunday tilt at the Xcel Energy Center. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Wild odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Islanders at Wild: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov vs. Devan Dubnyk
Varlamov owns a 2.47 goals against average and .918 save percentage on the season. He’s registered a fine .934 mark in 5-on-5 hockey, but the 12-year NHL veteran has not been sharp of late. Varlamov owns an .859 SV over his last four appearances.
Dubnyk had a rocky start to his season, posting a mere .867 SV over his first five games. The 13-year NHL veteran has since logged a .912 figure. On the season, Dubnyk owns a 3.24 GAA and .898 SV%. Last season he faced the Isles once, stopping 32-of-34 shots. Dubnyk pitched a 22-save shutout of the Calgary Flames in his last home start (Dec. 23). He has started three of Minnesota’s last four games, and the Wild won all three.
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Islanders at Wild: 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 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Minnesota 4, Islanders 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Isles have coughed up a lot of shots recently and, with a 1-4 record over their last five games, aren’t playing their best hockey of late. New York has also been tagged with more penalties over recent games. Puck-possession analytics are more strongly aligned with Minnesota’s .551-point percentage than with New York’s .681 mark.
Minnesota has been terrific at home (10-2-3). The Wild – which play in the tough Central Division – are 5-1 against Eastern Conference teams. MINNESOTA (-120) is a solid play.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Seven of New York’s last eight losses were by two or more goals. Each of Minnesota’s last four wins has been of the same variety.
With recent scores for both teams in mind, there is a lean on MINNESOTA (-1.5 +230). The Wild’s mediocre special teams chip away at the prospect, but the price is fair.
Over/Under (O/U)
An out-of-sorts NYI club slogging through the holiday week – with a scuffling netminder – against a hot-at-home Minnesota bunch that has averaged 3.93 goals per game since Nov. 29 makes for a lean on the OVER 5.5 (+105).
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