The Minnesota Wild (22-14-4) and New York Islanders (22-17-3) meet Thursday on Long Island. The opening puck drop at UBS Arena is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Wild vs. Islanders odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Minnesota is closing out a 2-game Big Apple trip. The Wild fell to the New York Rangers 4-3 in a shootout Tuesday. Minnesota is winless (0-1-2) over its last 3 games, its longest losing skid since a 3-game streak Nov. 13-17.
The Islanders also lost in a shootout in their last game (2-1 against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday) and are winless (0-2-1) across their last 3. After averaging a solid 3.38 goals per game from Dec. 6-Jan. 3, New York has tallied just 4 goals over its 3-game skid.
Stream the NHL all season on ESPN+, with your team’s out-of-market games, exclusive games, originals and more. Get ESPN+ now!
Wild at Islanders odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:05 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Wild -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Islanders -105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Wild -1.5 (+185) | Islanders +1.5 (-260)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -125 | U: +105)
Catch the excitement and bet with Tipico
Double Down, Ohio! Deposit $200, Get $250. Bet now!
In Colorado and New Jersey, claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. Bet now! 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions.
Wild at Islanders projected goalies
Filip Gustavsson (9-6-1, 2.25 GAA, .924 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Ilya Sorokin (14-13-2, 2.30 GAA, .925 SV%, 3 SO)
Gustavsson has won 8 of his last 10 starts dating back to Nov. 19 and has allowed 2 or fewer goals in 8 games along that span. He allowed 2 goals on 23 shots in a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues Sunday.
Sorokin has also been surging: he owns a .931 SV% across his last 7 starts and has a blistering .940 SV% in 15 home games.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Wild at Islanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Wild 4, Islanders 3
Moneyline
The Wild are a would-be lean, but Minnesota has been a bit off in its own end of late. The best value in this one is on the total. PASS.
Puck line/Against the spread
Avoid the juice: PASS.
Over/Under
The Over has hit in the last 2 Wild-Islanders games and is 6-3 across the last 9. The Over is also 4-1 in Minnesota’s last 5 road games and 4-1 in the last 5 series meetings at New York.
Both sides have been giving up too many scoring chances of late. The goaltender match-up feeds a narrative that may well spiral into a 7- or 8-goal contest. TAKE THE OVER 5.5 (-125). Consider a partial-unit play unless the price comes down to -120 or lower.
Want action on this matchup or any other NHL games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]