New York Islanders vs. Edmonton Oilers: NHL Odds, Prediction
It’s inarguable that two of the best players in hockey are the Oilers’ Connor McDavid and the Islanders’ John Tavares, but the former No. 1 overall picks are proof (this year, at least) you need more than just a superstar to make the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Oilers are all but eliminated despite another brilliant season from McDavid, while the Islanders have a tough climb for a playoff spot despite Tavares potentially on track for a career high in points. He’s going to cash in big time in free agency this summer.
Islanders vs Oilers Betting Analysis
It’s the last meeting between the teams. Back on Nov. 7, the Oilers visited Brooklyn to open a four-game road trip through greater New York and Washington, D.C., and won 2-1 in overtime. McDavid intercepted an off-target pass by Tavares to start a 2-on-1, and McDavid scored on a one-timer off a pass from Leon Draisaitl to win it 38 seconds into OT. Draisaitl had the regulation goal for Edmonton, and Cam Talbot had 36 saves. Jordan Eberle scored for New York, and Thomas Greiss stopped 23 shots.
Last year, Edmonton won at the Islanders early in the season in a shootout and then almost a year to the day from Thursday (March 7), lost at home to the Isles 4-1. That ended New York’s six-game losing streak in Edmonton.
The home team has won 13 of the past 16 in this series.
New York Islanders
The playoff chances of the Islanders (29-29-9) continue to get longer as they lost a seventh straight game on Monday, 4-3 in overtime at Vancouver. New York hasn’t topped three goals during the skid and is at .500 for the first time since starting the season 2-2-1. Tavares had a goal and an assist in Monday’s loss but has only three points in his past seven games. Mathew Barzal had two assists vs. the Canucks and should win the Calder Trophy now that Vancouver defenceman Brock Boeser is likely done for the season. Jaroslav Halak was in net vs. Vancouver, and he now hasn’t won since Feb. 15. Halak has surrendered nine goals on 47 shots in two starts this month.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton (28-34-4) stopped a three-game slide in which it totaled six goals with a 4-3 home overtime win over a terrible Arizona team on Monday. Oscar Klefbom’s first goal in 34 games was the OT winner. Jujhar Khaira, Milan Lucic and Jesse Puljujarvi also scored for the Oilers; Lucic ended a 29-game goalless drought. McDavid had an assist to reach the 80-point plateau, joining Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin and Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov. Draisaitl had two assists and has eight points in his past seven games. Talbot stopped 32 shots in winning at home for the first time since Feb. 22. He’s 14-13-1 overall at home this year with a 3.12 GAA and .904 SV.
