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The New York Islanders (30-26-15) begin a 3-game road trip on Thursday against the Florida Panthers (46-21-5) at Amerant Bank Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Islanders vs. Panthers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1; road team has won both previous matchups, with Islanders (+145) winning 4-3 in Sunrise on Dec. 2 in the 1st meeting
The Islanders are coming off a 4-0 loss on home ice against the New Jersey Devils, and New York is now just 1-6-1 across the past 8 games, with 3 shutout losses in that span. The Over-Under has split 4-4 in the 8-game stretch. New York has dropped 4 in a row on the road since a 6-1 win in Anaheim on March 10.
The Panthers were nipped 4-3 in a marquee matchup Tuesday night in Sunrise against the Boston Bruins. Florida is also in a little bit of a swoon, going 1-4-1 across the past 6 outings, with defense and goaltending the issue. Florida has coughed up 3 or more goals in 6 of the past 7 outings, yielding 3.4 goals per game (GPG) during the span.
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Islanders at Panthers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:01 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Islanders +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Panthers -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-155) | Panthers -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under: 6 (O: -115 | U: -105)
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Islanders at Panthers projected goalies
Semyon Varlamov (8-7-4, 2.86 GAA, .910 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Anthony Stolarz (14-5-2, 1.97 GAA, .927 SV%, 1 SO)
Varmalov is confirmed to go for the Islanders. He allowed just 3 goals on 35 shots in a 6-3 win over the Winnipeg Jets in his most recent start Saturday, and he is 2-0-1 with a 2.63 GAA and .909 SV% in 3 March outings. He allowed 3 goals on 37 shots in a 3-2 OT loss to the Panthers Jan. 27, too.
Stolarz is confirmed to be between the pipes for the Cats. The journeyman backup has been having a career year in Florida. The 30-year-old has allowed just 2 goals on 68 shots in the past 2 outings, and he has won each of his past 6 starts since Feb. 15. Stolarz allowed 2 goals on 23 shots in that 3-2 OTW on The Island Jan. 27, and he allowed 4 goals on 27 shots at home Dec. 2 agaisnt the Islanders in a loss.
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Islanders at Panthers picks and predictions
Prediction
Panthers 4, Islanders 1
Moneyline
The Panthers (-190) will cost you nearly 2 times your potential return, and that’s just a little too expensive for a standalone bet. It’s OK to include Florida as part of a multi-team parlay, but it’s still a little on the pricey side, and there is risk since the road team has won both meetings this season.
AVOID.
Puck line/Against the spread
The PANTHERS -1.5 (+125) are worth backing, as Stolarz has been red-hot between the pipes lately, allowing just 2 total goals in his past 2 starts.
The Islanders +1.5 (-155) have had a power outage lately, and just cannot be trusted, even against a Florida team which has been struggling to keep the puck out of its own net lately.
Over/Under
UNDER 6 (-105) is worth playing lightly.
The Panthers have allowed 3 or more goals in 6 of the past 7 outings, so that is a concern for Under bettors. But the Islanders have really had tremendous difficulty generating any offense lately, getting blanked in 3 of the past 8 games, while averaging just 1.8 goals per game (GPG) during the span. That average would be way worse if not for a 6-goal outburst against Winnipeg on Saturday, too. Lean low.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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