The New York Islanders (33-19-6) visit the Colorado Avalanche (33-18-7) Wednesday at Pepsi Center for a 10 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Islanders-Avalanche odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Both teams are on three-game skids after losing Monday. The Islanders fell at the Arizona Coyotes 2-1, while the Avs dropped a 4-3 overtime decision at home to the hot Tampa Bay Lightning – who won their 11th in a row.
Islanders at Avalanche: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov vs. Pavel Francouz
Varlamov is 17-11-4 with a 2.53 goals against average (GAA) and .918 save percentage. He lost his last two starts despite playing well; he allowed only 2 goals on 32 shots Monday, and he stopped 42 of 43 shots in a 1-0 loss at the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday. Varlamov, who played eight seasons for the Avs before signing with the Islanders as a free agent this past offseason, shut out his former team 1-0 Jan. 6, stopping all 32 shots.
Francouz is 13-5-3 with a 2.51 GAA and a .922 SV%. He allowed 4 goals on 27 shots in Monday’s OT defeat after winning his last two starts. He took the loss in the first head-to-head meeting with the Isles, allowing just a third-period Anders Lee goal on 33 shots.
Place a sports bet on this hockey action or other games at BetMGM.
Islanders at Avalanche: Key injuries
Islanders
- C Casey Cizikas (leg) out
- RW Cal Clutterbuck (wrist) out
- D Adam Pelech (Achilles) out for season
Avalanche
- G Philipp Grubauer (groin) out
- LW Matt Calvert (lower body) out
- RW Mikko Rantanen (collarbone) out
- C Nazem Kadri (ankle) out
- C Colin Wilson (lower body) out
Islanders at Avalanche: 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 9:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 2, Avalanche 1
Moneyline (ML)
There’s value in backing Varlamov’s ISLANDERS (+135) considering he shut out the Avalanche (-167) last month. Plus, the Islanders won five of their last six games against the Avs. The Isles are 1-4 in their last 5 road games, 1-7 in their last 8 games as an underdog, and 1-6 in their last 7 as a road dog, so, beware. I’m keeping this to a small-unit play.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (PL/ATS)
AVOID. Colorado (-1.5, +165) is an impressive 33-25 vs. the PL overall, but just 15-14 at home. New York (+1.5, -200) is not worth the risk. Every $2 wagered on the Islanders PL will profit $1 if they win, or lose by a single goal.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (-106) is the STRONGEST PLAY. Before the Avs’ Monday OT game, they played 6 Unders in a row – all 5 goals or less. The Islanders are on a 3-game Under streak. Look for both goalies to have solid games, just like the last time they faced off. The Avs are the highest-scoring team in the league (3.55 goals per game), but the Under is 5-1 in the last 6 head-to-head meetings in Colorado.
Every $1.06 wagered on the Under will profit $1 if the two teams combine for 5 or fewer goals.
Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.
Johnny’s 2019-20 NHL strongest plays: 9-5.
Strongest plays (all sports) since Dec. 1: 23-10.
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