The Boston Bruins (1-0-1) visit the New York Islanders (1-1-0) for a 5 p.m. ET puck drop at Nassau Coliseum Monday. Below, we analyze the Bruins-Islanders NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
The Bruins split a two-game set against the New Jersey Devils to open their season. They won 3-2 in a shootout Thursday and lost 2-1 in overtime Saturday.
The Islanders split their first two games against the New York Rangers. They won 4-0 Thursday and lost 5-0 Saturday.
Bruins at Islanders: Betting odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:30 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bruins -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | Islanders +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread/ATS: Bruins -1.5 (+195) | Islanders +1.5 (-240)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
Bruins at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Tuukka Rask (1-0-0, .909 SV%, 1.85 GAA) vs. Ilya Sorokin (0-1-0, .844 SV%, 5.01 GAA)
Rask should draw back into the net after stopping 20 of 22 shots in the shootout win over the Devils. He led the NHL with a 2.12 goals against average last season and allowed just 4 goals on 83 shots in three games against the Isles.
Sorokin was forced into making his debut Saturday after expected starter Semyon Varlamov suffered an undisclosed injury in warmups. The 25-year-old Russian allowed 5 goals on 32 shots in his first NHL start.
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Bruins at Islanders: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Islanders 3, Bruins 2
Money line (ML)
There’s good value on the ISLANDERS (+120) to win at home Monday evening. Sorokin came into the season as a favorite for the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) and should bounce back from an ugly debut with proper preparation.
Rask is certainly a tough opponent to get your first win against, but this should be priced closer to a coin-flip game. I like the Islanders to do just enough for their rookie goaltender in a low-scoring contest.
Against the spread (ATS)
Puck line betting in the NHL is rarely a profitable endeavor when backing an underdog. There’s just enough value to warrant a play on the ISLANDERS +1.5 (-240) for 1 goal of insurance in the event of a loss. We’re counting on Sorokin, who posted a .935 SV% and 1.50 GAA in 40 games with CSKA Moscow of the KHL last season, to bounce back in his second NHL start.
Over/Under (O/U)
The UNDER 5.5 (-135) is the top play for this game. Rask had the Isles’ number last season and they have essentially the same group of forwards to start 2021. Both teams played to the Under in each of their first two games of the season.
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