New York Islanders at Washington Capitals odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Wednesday’s New York Islanders at Washington Capitals odds and lines, with NHL expert picks, predictions and best bets.

The New York Islanders (38-28-9) visit the Washington Capitals (34-32-8) Wednesday. Puck drop from Capital One Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Islanders vs. Capitals odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Islanders strengthened their bid for a wild card spot with a 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils last time out Monday. New York has 85 points and sits in the top wild card spot in the Eastern Conference 3 games ahead of Pittsburgh.

The Capitals are still mathematically alive for a card in the East, but Washington sits 6 points back of Pittsburgh with just 8 regular-season games remaining. Washington has picked a poor time for another skid, too, going just 1-3-1 across the past 5 outings.

Washington did just deal New York a 5-1 setback on Long Island March 11 as the Over (5.5) narrowly cashed, and the Caps are 2-0 against the Isles this season, both on the road.

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Islanders at Capitals odds

Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:15 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline (ML): Islanders -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Capitals -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
  • Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Islanders -1.5 (+210) | Capitals +1.5 (-260)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -122 | U: +102)

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Islanders at Capitals projected goalies

Ilya Sorokin (27-19-7, 2.39 GAA, .924 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Darcy Kuemper (21-23-5, 2.76 GAA, .911 SV%, 5 SO)

Sorokin was sharp against the Devils Monday, turning aside 30 of the 31 shots he faced. He has posted a 7-1-1 record with a 2.45 GAA and .914 SV% mark in 9 starts in the month of March.

Sorokin allowed 4 goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 OTL against the Capitals at UBS Arena Jan. 16, his only appearance against Washington this season.

Kuemper allowed 4 goals on 40 shots in a costly 4-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday. He has allowed exactly 4 goals in 3 of his past 4 outings.

The veteran was sharp against the Isles March 11, stopping 17 of the 18 shots he faced in a 5-1 win. Kuemper also turned back the Isles Jan. 16, allowing 3 goals on 30 shots in a 4-3 OTW on Long Island.

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Islanders at Capitals picks and predictions

Prediction

Islanders 4, Capitals 2

Moneyline

The ISLANDERS (-110) are worth a look despite the fact the Capitals (-110) have dominated the regular-season series to date.

Still, the Caps are playing poorly lately, while New York steams in with plenty of confidence after a 5-1 drumming of the Devils.

The Isles have won 5 of the past 7 inside the Metropolitan Division, while the Capitals have dropped 8 of the past 11 on home ice.

Puck line/Against the spread

The ISLANDERS -1.5 (+210) are worth a roll of the dice for a chance to more than double up. Again, this play comes with risk, as the Capitals +1.5 (-260) have won the first 2 regular-season meetings.

However, in New York’s past 4 victories since March 15, it has won by 2 or more goals. If you like the Isles to win, you should like them on the puck line, too.

Over/Under

The OVER 5.5 (-122) is the lean in the nation’s capital.

The Over is 6-2-1 in the past 9 games overall, while going 4-1 in the past 5 road outings. The Over is 4-0-2 in the past 6 inside the Metro Division.

The Over has connected in 8 straight for the Caps, while going 4-0 in the past 4 on home ice and 4-0 in the past 4 against winning teams, too.

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New York Islanders at Washington Capitals odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s New York Islanders at Washington Capitals NHL odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The New York Islanders (29-14-5) travel to play the Washington Capitals (31-13-4) Tuesday with a 7 p.m. ET puck drop at Capital One Arena. Below, we analyze the Islanders-Capitals odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.

The Islanders dropped two in a row at home to the Capitals, falling 1-0 in a shootout Thursday and losing 6-3 Saturday. New York scored 6 goals April 20 against the New York Rangers but has posted a total of just 19 goals across its past 10 outings.

The Capitals won each of the two games on the Island as short underdogs. Washington won six of its previous eight outings while the Over is 8-1 across the past nine contests.

Islanders at Capitals: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Islanders +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Capitals -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Islanders +1.5 (-275) | Capitals -1.5 (+230)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Islanders at Capitals: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov (17-9-4, 2.12 GAA, .926 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Vitek Vanecek (17-9-3, 2.77 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO)

Varlamov was on the short end of the 1-0 shootout loss Thursday, posting 28 saves. He is still credited with the shutout, his second in the past five starts, both against Washington. Varly is 2-3-1 with a 2.50 GAA and .906 SV% in six games against the Caps this season.

Vanecek will face the Islanders for the fifth time this season. He is 2-1-0 with a .929 SV% and 2.47 GAA. He has allowed 8 goals on 112 shots in the head-to-head matchup.

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Islanders at Capitals: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Capitals 3, Islanders 2

Money line (ML)

The CAPITALS (-120) pushed around the Islanders over the last week in New York, and they should be able to protect home ice and get it done again.

The Isles are a dismal 1-5 across their past six games as road underdogs, and they’re 1-4 in their previous five against teams with a winning record.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The Islanders +1.5 (-275) are a risk of nearly three times your potential return, and that’s just not very good insurance. They were doubled up at home last time out against the Caps.

PASS.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 5.5 (-120) is a good bet.

The Under is 8-2-1 across the past 11 games for the Islanders, with the Under edging the Over 4-3 in the previous seven meetings this season. The Over is 8-1 in the past nine games for the Caps, so I’d go lightly on this one.

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New York Islanders at Washington Capitals odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Thursday’s New York Islanders at Washington Capitals NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

The Washington Capitals (4-0-3) and New York Islanders (3-3-0) play the second game of their two-game set at Capital One Arena Thursday. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Islanders-Capitals NHL 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 12:50 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Islanders -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Capitals +100 (bet $100 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Islanders -1.5 (+230) | Capitals +1.5 (-275)
  • Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +120 | U: -140)

Islanders at Capitals: Projected starting goalies

Semyon Varlamov (3-1-0, .966 SV%, 1.00 GAA) vs. Vitek Vanecek (3-0-2, .918 SV%, 2.70 GAA)

Varlamov is holding off rookie Ilya Sorokin, who had been considered a favorite for the Calder Trophy. The veteran started the season with back-to-back shutouts but allowed 3 goals on 37 shots in a loss to the Caps Tuesday. He was 1-2-0 in three games against Washington last year.

Vanecek will continue to carry the load with starter Ilya Samsonov sidelined by the NHL’s COVID-19 protocols. The rookie from the Czech Republic stopped 32 of the 34 shots he faced in Tuesday’s win.

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Islanders at Capitals: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Islanders 3, Capitals 2

Money line (ML)

Let’s flip the script on Tuesday’s 3-2 Capitals victory. Both teams should continue to emphasize defensive play and there’s no reason to expect anything than what we’ve seen thus far from these two goaltenders.

Take the ISLANDERS (-115) as moderate road favorites against a now-desperately shorthanded Caps side. C Nicklas Backstrom (undisclosed) and C Lars Eller (undisclosed) were unable to finish Tuesday’s game. They could join RW Tom Wilson (lower body) on the sideline. LW Alex Ovechkin, C Evgeny Kuznetsov and D Dmitry Orlov also remain in the COVID protocols with Samsonov.

Against the spread (ATS)

Washington controlled puck possession Tuesday with a Corsi For percentage of 58.04% at 5-on-5 and New York is 30th for the season with a CF% of just 44.47.

Varlamov continues to shoulder the burden and compensate for his team’s possession struggles. He gets the edge in net, but Vanecek has proven to be a fully capable NHL netminder and is keeping third-string veteran Craig Anderson on the bench.

PASS on CAPITALS +1.5 (-275). I was OK paying up on the Caps at (-250) for 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss but not at this price.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 5.5 (-140) is certainly the safer side, largely due to the Capitals’ injury and COVID troubles. Additionally, the Islanders are 0-6 against the O/U thus far, and their games average a league-low 3.67 total goals.

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New York Islanders at Washington Capitals odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Tuesday’s New York Islanders at Washington Capitals NHL betting odds and lines, with hockey picks, tips and predictions.

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.

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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.

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