Islanders vs. Red Wings prediction: NHL odds, best bets for Thursday
It took some time, but the Red Wings have found their groove since Patrick Kane signed with them in December.
Detroit is riding a six-game win streak into Thursday night’s tilt versus the Islanders, while Kane has recorded a point in nine straight.
What didn’t take considerable time was the rebuild Steve Yzerman was hired to oversee less than five years ago.
The Red Wings appear to be back in contention, sitting comfortably in playoff position with 23 games left after missing the dance for eight years.
It’s been goals galore in Hockeytown lately. The Wings are striking the iron while it’s hot on offense, potting over 3.5 goals and holding the second-best shooting percentage in hockey.
This puck luck masks the fact that Detroit doesn’t create a healthy rate of sharp scoring chances at five-on-five.
They are, in fact, one of the NHL’s least fruitful teams at generating expected goals.
It’s also helpful when you have a power play converting on 23.5 percent of its opportunities.
Detroit is destined to find the back of the net with the man advantage against the Isles’ league-worst penalty killing.
(7 p.m. ET, ESPN+)
In the meantime, the Wings do allow a fair share of opposing scoring chances, yielding more than 32 shots against.
The wrinkles in Detroit’s transition game should present some gravy to an Islanders team that ranks fourth overall in high-danger shot creation.
New York is well rested after upsetting a formidable Stars group in overtime on Monday.
Ilya Sorokin resumes his day job of fending off the second-highest shots against rate, but not every night can be a jewel. Sorokin has dipped below an .850 save percentage in two of his last four starts.
Alex Lyon has been Detroit’s most steady netminding option, but the 31-year-old journeyman has posted three starts this month where he allowed three or more goals on fewer than 30 shots against.
Lyon has held an .888 save percentage throughout the month of February.
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Both these teams have hit the over in more than 50 percent of their games.
Expect that trend to continue, with all signs pointing toward a lengthy box score.
PICK: Over 6.5 goals (+105, Fanatics)
