Boston Bruins at New York Islanders odds, picks and predictions
The Boston Bruins (18-5-4) and New York Islanders (14-7-7) meet Friday night on Long Island. The opening puck drop at UBS Arena is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the Bruins vs. Islandersodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Bruins are on the road for a 2nd straight game. They lost 2-1 in overtime at the New Jersey Devils Wednesday. Six of Boston's 9 losses have come on the road.
The Islanders also last played Wednesday when they downed the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 to claim their 4th straight victory. The 2nd-place team in the Metropolitan Division is 6-0-1 since Nov. 30.
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Bruins at Islanders odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 9:46 p.m. ET.
Bruins at Islanders projected goalies
Linus Ullmark (9-4-1, 2.71 GAA, .917 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (8-4-6, 3.11 GAA, .914 SV%)
Ullmark last played on Saturday, clocking 31 saves on 34 shots by the Arizona Coyotes. His last 4 starts on more than a couple of days' rest have all been high-quality efforts.
Sorokin started against the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday and stopped 37 of 40 pucks. He owns a sparkling .922 SV% at home.
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Bruins at Islanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 4, Bruins 3
Peg a slight lean toward the streaking Isles here but nothing actionable. Would consider an NYI +120 play with a half-a-unit perhaps. PASS.
Juice added here and a likable Over, so not as much value on the Islanders. PASS.
The Over has cashed in back-to-back Boston-New York games and in 4 of the last 5. The last 10 meetings have produced a lot of successful powerplays and an average of 6.70 GPG.
The total has gone Over in 5 of Boston's last 7 games on the road. It has also gone Over in 7 of New York's last 8 games and in 4 of its last 5 on home ice.
Both teams have good goaltending, so it may sound counterintuitive, but both are also too far out over their skis with their defensive numbers. The Bruins and Isles rank 1-2 in save percentage against 5-on-5 high-danger looks. Even with good play in net, those numbers are ripe for regression.
Sorokin started against Boston and allowed 4 even-strength goals on 34 shots.
