The New York Islanders (22-7-2) host the Nashville Predators (15-12-5) Tuesday at Nassau Coliseum. Puck drop is scheduled for shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Predators-Islanders sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Predators at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Pekka Rinne vs. Semyon Varlamov
Rinne has allowed four goals in each of his last two games and a total of 16 across his last five starts, which includes a 31-save shutout of the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 29. The veteran has a 10-5-3 record with a .893 save percentage and 2.99 goals against average.
Varlamov got the win in each of his last four decisions. He hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a start since Nov. 27. He is 11-3-2 while splitting the crease with Thomas Greiss, and he has a .928 SV% and 2.24 GAA.
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Predators at Islanders: 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 Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 3, Predators 1
Moneyline (ML)
The Predators (+115) are tempting at plus-money but I’ve been burned one too many times chasing positive regression from Rinne. His game is flawed right now and the Preds are still missing one of their top scorers in RW Viktor Arvidsson (lower body).
The ISLANDERS (-139) are a fine play as they enter on a three-game win streak and with a 13-2-1 home record. The Preds were victorious last time out, but they’re just 6-6-1 on the road and 5-3-2 across their last 10 games.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Double down on the ISLANDERS (-1.5, +200) by backing them to win by at least 2 goals against the struggling Rinne. Nashville beat the New York Rangers 5-2 at Madison Square Garden on Monday, while the Isles have been off since a 3-2 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday.
The Preds are 14-18 against the puck line overall and 6-7 on the road. The Islanders are 15-16 overall and just 7-9 at home, but four of their last six wins were by margins of at least 2 goals.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Isles to win by at least 2 goals fetches a profit of $20. The same bet on the moneyline returns just $7.19 in profit.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 5.5 (-121). The Isles are 1-8-1 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games, largely due to their own defensive play and goaltending. The Preds are 4-5-1 against the projected totals, with the absence of Arvidsson taking away from their offensive upside.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 130-100
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