The New York Islanders (31-21-5) and New Jersey Devils (28-26-2) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Devils are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-105o / -115u). The Devils are -110 favorites to win outright, while the Islanders are -110 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Islanders vs. Devils predictions and NHL picks.
Islanders vs. Devils Odds, Pick
| Islanders Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -275 | 5.5 -105o / -115u | -110 |
| Devils Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +225 | 5.5 -105o / -115u | -110 |
Islanders vs. Devils Spread: Islanders +1.5 (-275), Devils -1.5 (+225)
Islanders vs. Devils Over/Under: 5.5 (-105o / -115u)
Islanders vs. Devils Moneyline: Islanders -110, Devils -110
Islanders vs. Devils Preview
Our Bet Labs "Get Back Overs" system recommends going with the over in tonight's game.
The Devils have had two poor offensive performances in a row, scoring just one goal against the Senators last Saturday and getting shut out by the Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
After those two defeats, they will have to play aggressively and take more risks to bounce back tonight versus the Islanders.
This season, the Devils are allowing 3.07 goals to opponents per game.
In the last six games between these two teams, the total surpassed 5.5 in three (with one total of 5 among the unders), and in the last 10 contests, it did so in five (with two 5s).
The last matchup ended with the Islanders thrashing the Devils 9-0 on January 6.
Also, three of the past five Islanders games have had totals of more than five goals.
Islanders vs. Devils Prediction
This system focuses on regular-season NHL games in which the home team is coming off a low-scoring effort and returns home to play again.
Teams that fail to score in their previous game tend to bounce back offensively in front of their home crowd, especially when adjustments are made following a shutout or poor shooting performance.
The market often overreacts to these scoring slumps by setting totals slightly lower than they should be.
In these spots, motivation and urgency to generate offense increase, leading to a higher pace and more aggressive play.
The combination of a rested home team, a scoring correction, and market undervaluation creates reliable conditions for games to go over the total.
Best Bet: Over 5.5 (-105, bet365)
