The New York Islanders (3-2-0) visit the Washington Capitals (3-0-3) Tuesday at Capital One Arena for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. Below, we analyze the Islanders-Capitals odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Islanders at Capitals: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:38 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Islanders -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Capitals +110 (bet $100 to win $110)
- Against the spread/ATS: Islanders -1.5 (+200) | Capitals +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +105 | U: -125)
Islanders at Capitals: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov (3-0-0, 0.33 GAA, .988 SV%, 2 SO) at Vitek Vanecek (2-0-2, 2.87 GAA, .912 SV%)
Varlamov has been near perfect so far this season. He has allowed just one goal on 82 shots, a goal to New Jersey Devils RW Nathan Bastian in a 4-1 victory Thursday. He blanked the Boston Bruins Jan. 18, and he blanked the Rangers in his season debut Jan. 14.
Vanecek is getting an opportunity to shine with G Ilya Samsonov down for the count due to COVID-19. The latter is expected back sometime in the upcoming week, but the way Vanecek has played since holding down the fort, the backup likely has played himself into at least a timeshare once Samsonov returns.
Get some action on this game or any NHL matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Islanders at Capitals: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Islanders 3, Capitals 2
Money line (ML)
The ISLANDERS (-130) have been crushing it with Varlamov in the crease. Head coach Barry Trotz would love to stick it to his former employer in the Capitals, who he coached 2014-18. In four regular-season games last season between the Isles and Caps, the road team went a perfect 4-0, before New York eliminated Washington 4-1 in the first round of the playoffs.
Against the spread (ATS)
These games are generally very close. Four of the eight meetings last season, including the postseason, were one-goal games. The Islanders -1.5 (+200) are a tempting play, as you could double up if they win by 2 or more goals, but AVOID and focus on the money line.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 5.5 (-125) will cost you a little extra, but it’s worth a wager based upon how well Varlamov has been playing. Vanecek has been decent, too, but if the Over occurs here, it will be on the young Washington tendy, not Varly.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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]