Facing each other for the final time this year, the San Jose Sharks and the New York Islanders collide at Nassau Coliseum. The opening face-off is at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 23, and you are able to see this cross-country matchup live on MSG Network.
San Jose Sharks at New York Islanders Odds
Playing the role of favorite will be New York (-215), while San Jose is a dog showing moneyline odds of +180, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. If you want to play the matchup’s total, you’ll be looking at odds of -110 for the over and -110 for the under at Draftkings on the Indiana Sports betting app.
The Islanders are 34-26 straight up (SU) and have netted moneyline bettors 4.9 units this season. That early-season winning percentage hasn’t moved much from what the team posted during last year’s regular season (48-34). 33 of the team’s 60 matches have gone under the total, while 24 have gone over and just three have pushed. Thus far, the team is 19-11 SU at home.
New York’s converted on 17.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 18th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 80.3 percent of all penalties.
New York, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over its last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 7.3 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, in total.
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Semyon Varlamov (19-20-4) has been the most dependable goalkeeper for the Islanders this year. If the Isles decide to rest him, however, head coach Barry Trotz may turn to Thomas Greiss (16-12-12 record, .916 save percentage, 2.65 goals against average).
The Isles will continue seeking leadership via Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson. Barzal (50 points) has produced 18 goals and 32 assists and has recorded multiple points on 13 separate occasions this year. Nelson has 22 goals and 25 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 30 contests.
San Jose has lost 9.4 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 26-35 straight up (SU). Through 61 regular season outings, 32 of its games have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just two have pushed. San Jose’s 12-19 SU as a road team this season.
San Jose has converted on just 16.3 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked first overall and it’s successfully killed off 86.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
San Jose’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season, 4.2 per game over their last five match ups total, and 3.8 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team has had to kill penalties just 8.2 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
Martin Jones (3.11 goals against average and .894 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for San Jose. Jones is averaging 25.1 saves per game and has 14 wins, 21 losses, and two overtime losses to his credit.
Brent Burns (12 goals, 30 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Sharks.
San Jose Sharks vs. New York Islanders Betting Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
New York is 3-2 in games decided by shootout. San Jose is 2-1 in shootouts.
The total has gone under in each of New York’s last five outings.
The Islanders this season have registered the most hits per game in the NHL (28.5).