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The Montreal Canadiens (30-36-12) and New York Islanders (36-27-15) meet in a Thursday night affair on Long Island. The opening faceoff at UBS Arena is slated for 7:30 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.
Montreal, which leads this season series 2-0, has already been eliminated from playoff contention, but the Canadiens are coming off a season-high in goals and are 2-1-0 across their last 3 road tilts. On Tuesday, the Habs decimated the Philadelphia Flyers 9-3.
The Islanders head into Thursday’s game as the Metropolitan No. 3; they are looking to stay ahead of the Washington Capitals who are 2 points back in the Metro standings. New York downed the crosstown Rangers 4-2 Tuesday and have won 5 consecutive games.
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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 2:17 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Canadiens +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Islanders -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canadiens +1.5 (-140) | Islanders -1.5 (+115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Canadiens at Islanders projected goalies
Sam Montembeault (16-15-7, 3.10 GAA, .904 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (24-19-11, 3.02 GAA, .908 SV%)
Montembeault started Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia and earned the win, stopping 33 of 36 shots on goal. The 27-year-old has held foes to 3 goals or less in 4 of his last 5 starts.
Sorokin last played a week ago, stopping 25-of-27 shots in an April 4 road start at the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Russian netminder owns a solid .917 SV% at home.
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Canadiens at Islanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 5, Canadiens 2
Moneyline
The Isles have a solid probability of running their late-season win streak to 6, but better betting value can be found on the puck line. AVOID.
Puck line/Against the spread
New York’s last 3 wins have been by multiple scores.
Since Feb. 1, Sorokin has made 4 starts on 4-plus days’ rest. His save percentage in those starts is an aggregate .918.
Consider a partial-unit play on the ISLANDERS -1.5 (+115).
Over/Under
This series has seen the Over cash in 4 straight meetings. The Over has gone 4-1 in Montreal’s last 5 games.
And its the Canadiens’ 5-on-5 defense where this analysis begins. And justly so. The Habs have a 2.85 expected goals-against over the last 25 games (Natural Stat Trick, 5-on-5). Only 2 clubs have filed higher numbers over that span.
The Isles have a relatively low conversion rate on 5-on-5 high-danger looks over that same last-25 span. Look for a solid performance in a key game for them.
BACK THE OVER 6 (-110).
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