The New York Islanders (26-12-3) visit the New Jersey Devils (15-20-6) at Prudential Center Tuesday night for 7 p.m. ET puck drop in Metropolitan Division action. We analyze the Islanders-Devils odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips around this matchup.
Islanders at Devils: Projected starting goalies
Thomas Greiss vs. MacKenzie Blackwood
Greiss takes to the cage with Semyon Varlamov having pitched a shutout against the Colorado Avalanche Monday. The 33-year-old owns a 2.58 goals against average and .919 save percentage through 19 games. But Greiss is coming off a rocky December, one that saw him go 1-5 with a .894 SV%. He’s been lifted in two of his last three starts and hasn’t played in a game since Dec. 27.
Blackwood has logged a 2.83 GAA and .908 SV% as the Devils’ primary goaltender. He allowed four goals to the Avalanche in a loss Saturday. The 23-year-old owns a .920 SV% over his last 14 games, and that stretch includes a 2-1 win over New York two starts back (Jan. 2).
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Islanders at Devils: 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 Tuesday at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 3, Devils 2
Moneyline (ML)
The ISLANDERS (-125) have logged some shaky possession numbers of late, but they lead the NHL in blocked shots, an overlooked stat and one that helps to mitigate and shorten soft stretches in a schedule. Greiss has a very good history when performing on a week-plus of rest. His .930 5-on-5 SV% this season is impressive and looms as a key figure in a game against a Devils club which draws a lot of penalties but struggles to convert with a 30th-ranked 14.4 power-play percentage. The Isles’ 81.5% penalty kill ranks 10th in the league.
The price is attractive, and the Islanders are the play on a moderate lean.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
PASS. The Islanders (-1.5, +220) are the lean as a side, but they tend to play in a higher percentage of one-goal games. That has certainly been their M.O. of late – four of their last five victories are of the one-score variety. The Devils’ side (+1.5, -278) has too much juice to overcome.
Over/Under (O/U)
We will also PASS on the projected total of 5.5 (Over: +105, Under: -125) for this one. Greiss’ shaky play of late plays into the gray area in pegging a number. Also, the Islanders have scored just two goals over their last three games. The last time New York suffered such a spell, however, they went on the road to score four against the Detroit Red Wings (Dec. 2). The Devils have coughed up five or more goals four times since Dec. 20.
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