SportsGrid

Open in the SportsGrid app

GET — On the App Store

View

LIVE NOWLIVE

NHL · 4 months ago

NHL Best Bets: Golden Knights vs. Islanders Game Picks

Zachary Cook

Two teams trying to find more consistency to end January will collide tonight, with the Vegas Golden Knights visiting the New York Islanders.

All Odds Courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Vegas Golden Knights (-122) vs. New York Islanders (+102) Total: 6 (O-105, U-115) 

The Golden Knights and Islanders have very similar strengths in that they play a defense-first style of hockey and rely on their goaltending to be strong too. That’s worked more so for the Golden Knights, but they’re also deeper offensively and have used that to their advantage. This will be the second meeting between these teams this season, which initially saw the Isles pick up a 5-2 victory on the road. 

Both teams could use a victory tonight, and New York certainly more so than the Golden Knights, when you consider that they’ve fallen out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. The Golden Knights are sitting at 3-6-1 over their past ten games, while the Islanders are 2-5-3 over that same sample size but are coming off a victory last night against the Detroit Red Wings.

Looking toward the projected goalie matchup tonight, the visiting Golden Knights are expected to start Logan Thompson, while the Islanders should do the same with Semyon Varlamov. The Golden Knights netminder has posted a 19-13-2 record, paired with a .912 save percentage, while Varlamov is sitting at 8-6-1, along with a .912 save percentage. There’s a lot to like about this goalie matchup tonight, and there’s potential for a lower-scoring affair. 

Neither team inspires much confidence at the moment, but the Islanders are slight home underdogs here and have already demonstrated they can handle their business against this Vegas team. This matchup will likely play out differently, but it’s hard to avoid the plus-money home underdogs tonight. 

Best Bet: Islanders moneyline (+102) 

The Isles and Golden Knights both sit in the top 12 of the NHL in goals allowed per game, but that didn’t stop them from combining for seven goals when they faced off just over a month ago. That doesn’t mean this matchup will follow that same game script, though, when you consider that the Golden Knights have seen just one of their past five games total six or more, while the Isles have seen that transpire in two of their previous five. That should give us an idea that the under is a good value play here tonight, also priced at an appetizing -115. 

Best Bet: Under 6 (-115) 

It’s no secret that the New York Islanders struggle to score goals, which is a big reason why they’ve fallen outside of the playoff race. Still, that doesn’t mean talented players aren’t on this roster. It just means they have trouble finding consistency on a nightly basis. Brock Nelson, their hottest player with four goals over their past five games, continues to stand out offensively. Nelson sits at a very appetizing +210 price to score tonight, which is a number bettors should gravitate toward. 

Best Prop: Brock Nelson to Record Over 0.5 Goals (+210)

LATEST VIDEOS

NCAAF · 11 hours ago

NCAAF SEC Odds 5/31: Ole Miss (+5000) Is Live At That Price

Mike Carver · Joe Lisi

NCAAF · 11 hours ago

Alabama HC Nick Saban Says The Playing Field Isn't Even

Mike Carver · Joe Lisi

NFL · 11 hours ago

Bucs HC Todd Bowles Talks About Who Could Start At QB

Mike Carver · Joe Lisi

MORE ARTICLES

NHL · 16 hours ago

Golden Knights HC Bruce Cassidy Apologizes for Coyotes Jab

Paul Connor

NHL · 17 hours ago

Maple Leafs Expected to Hire Brad Treliving as New GM

Paul Connor

NHL · 19 hours ago

NHL Conn Smythe Power Rankings: Bobrovsky, Tkachuk Lead Panthers

Zachary Cook

NHL · 1 day ago

Predators Fire John Hynes, Name Andrew Brunette Head Coach

Paul Connor

NHL · 1 day ago

Capitals to Hire Spencer Carbery as Head Coach

Paul Connor

NHL · 1 day ago

Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Series Best Bets

Zachary Cook

NHL · 1 day ago

Golden Knights Rout Stars, Punch Ticket to Stanley Cup Final

Paul Connor

NHL · 2 days ago

NHL Stanley Cup Odds Power Rankings: Panthers Top 3 Remaining Teams

Zachary Cook

NHL · 2 days ago

Vegas Golden Knights vs. Dallas Stars Game 6 Best Bets

Zachary Cook

NHL · 4 days ago

Dallas Stars vs. Vegas Golden Knights Game 5 Best Bets

Zachary Cook