The New York Islanders will try for their sixth straight win when they visit the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon (1 p.m. ET). Here is our Islanders-Red Wings prediction, odds and pick.
Make sure to shop more bets using our OddsShopper tool.
NHL Odds: Islanders-Red Wings Odds
New York ML: -125
Detroit ML: +104
New York PL: -1.5, +186
Detroit PL: +1.5, -235
O/U: 6 (over -105, under -115)
Brock Nelson Boosts New York Offense
New York (7-4-0) is playing a considerably more up-tempo style this season under new head coach Lane Lambert and has generated the fourth highest goals per game in the NHL at 3.73, with the league’s 10th highest xGF/60 at 3.55.
The Islanders have a modest 49% expected goals share, but it is worth noting that they have played a notably tough schedule to this point. The process has looked far better than that modest number suggests, and it has been clear during this five-game winning streak how much the team is trending into form.
The Islanders own a +13 goal differential and have won every game in regulation, with four of those against Stanley Cup Playoff teams from last season.
The offense looks more formidable and balanced, with forwards Brock Nelson and Anders Lee surging on one unit, while Mat Barzal has been a force playing with Oliver Wahlstrom.
Goalie Ilya Sorokin has been fantastic, making an early case for the Vezina Trophy with his +8.0 goals saved above expected rating and .936 SV%.
Ville Husso Could Start Again for Detroit
Detroit (5-3-2) appears to finally be turning the corner and pushing for a playoff berth this season, but it’s possible it hasn’t proven as much as its record suggests.
The Red Wings are ranked 16th at 3.10 goals per game, but that has come against a relatively soft schedule and could be due for regression as injured top-six wings Tyler Bertuzzi and Jakub Vrana remain absent from the lineup. The Red Wings are 21st in xGF/60 at 3.06.
Goalie Ville Husso played well in a 3-1 win against the Washington Capitals on Thursday and may be given an opportunity to follow up that performance, with Alex Nedeljkovic struggling in the early going.
Final New York Islanders-Red Wings Prediction and Pick
The Islanders have looked far superior offensively and appear to have far more depth in that regard than the Red Wings. Although the records are similar, it seems clear New York enters this matchup in better form, especially when considering the quality of opposition faced.
Detroit managed a victory against incredibly thin Washington, but New York offers a far tougher challenge and will likely generate more chances than Washington did and convert them at a better rate.
At -125, the Islanders hold a lot of value in a game which should be priced at -140. It is worth noting that Sorokin may end up sitting in favor of backup Semyon Varlamov, and in that case the Islanders should only be played down to -130.
Final Islanders-Red Wings Pick: Islanders -125 (FanDuel)
