New York Islanders at Vegas Golden Knights odds, picks and predictions
The New York Islanders (18-10-10) wrap up a 4-game road trip against the Vegas Golden Knights (22-12-5) Saturday at T-Mobile Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Islanders vs. Golden Knightsodds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Islanders finally scored a win on the trip, posting a 5-1 victory against the Arizona Coyotes last time out Thursday. New York is now a respectable 2-1-2 in the past 5 games on the road. The total (6) pushed against the Coyotes at most shops, but the Over is still 4-1-1 in the past 6 games overall.
The Golden Knights were on the short end of a 4-1 score against the Florida Panthers Thursday. The Under cashed for the 3rd consecutive game. VGK continues to have trouble scoring goals, totaling just 8 goals, or 1.6 goals per game (GPG), in the past 5 outings.
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Islanders at Golden Knights odds
FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:50 p.m. ET.
Islanders at Golden Knights projected goalies
Ilya Sorokin (12-6-8, 3.10 GAA, .912 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Logan Thompson (11-8-3, 2.87 GAA, .901 SV%)
Sorokin was in between the pipes in Arizona for the team's road win last time out Thursday. He stopped 26 of the 27 shots he faced in the 5-1 victory. He has allowed 2 or fewer goals in each of his past 3 starts.
Thompson has struggled since the ball dropped to ring in the new year, going 0-2-0 with a 3.59 GAA and .889 SV% in 2 starts in January, both at home. He has lost 3 of his past 4 tries against Eastern Conference teams, too.
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Islanders at Golden Knights picks and predictions
Prediction
Golden Knights 3, Islanders 2
The ISLANDERS (+125) have posted a 5-0-4 record in the past 9 games against Western Conference opponents. They're a solid play as an underdog, especially since they're catching VGK at a tough time. New York swept the 2 meetings last season, and the Isles are a healthy 3-1-1 in the past 5 skates at "The Fortress".
The Golden Knights (-150) just haven't been able to generate any consistent offense lately. The good news is that the defense and goaltending have a bit better since Thompson has gotten healthier, but there is still plenty of concern.
PASS.
If the Panthers (-1.5, +198) win by 2 or more goals, it will almost pay 2 to 1, but it's a tough ask on the road. We'd probably need an empty-netter to get there.
It's not a bad play, but I'm going to just focus on the ML wager.
UNDER 6.5 (-134) might be the best play on the board, but it will cost you.
The Under is 3-1-1 in the past 5 meetings in Vegas, and the Golden Knights have cashed the Under in each of the past 3 games. While the Isles have been ticking off plenty of goals, while also allowing plenty of goals, VGK's struggles on offense will keep this total from going Over.
