The New Jersey Devils (34-33-4) take on the New York Islanders (30-25-15) Sunday evening as both teams attempt to hang onto their slim playoff hopes. Puck drop at UBS Arena is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Devils vs. Islanders odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
New Jersey was defeated 5-2 in Newark by the Ottawa Senators Saturday night, dropping its playoff chances to 4.6% heading into Sunday’s slate. The Devils have defeated the Islanders twice this season already, with both Games resulting in a 5-4 finish.
The Islanders improved their playoff chances to 13.1% after taking down the Winnipeg Jets at home Saturday night 6-3, which snapped a 6-game losing streak. C Matt Barzal, the team leader in points (73), recorded a goal and 2 assists in the win.
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Devils at Islanders odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at noon ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Devils +108 (bet $100 to win $108) | Islanders -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Devils +1.5 (-225) | Islanders -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
Devils at Islanders projected goalies
Kaapo Kahkonen (6-22-3, 3.81 GAA, .894 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (22-18-11, 3.07 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO)
Kahkonen is winless in 2 starts with the Devils since being acquired from the Sharks prior to the trade deadline, although C Curtis Lazar believes New Jersey let its goalie “hang out to dry” in the 4-1 loss to Arizona March 16. In his career vs. the Islanders, the 27-year-old is 3-1 in 4 starts, and back in December he earned a 5-4 win in OT as a member of San Jose.
Sorokin has lost 5 straight starts, with his last victory coming March 7 vs. Kahkonen’s former team, the Sharks. Prior to his last outing, a 6-3 defeat vs. Detroit this past Thursday, coach Patrick Roy expressed his trust in the 28-year-old despite the rough skid. Sorokin enters Sunday with the most minutes logged among goalies in the Eastern Conference (3025), along with the most goals allowed (155) and most saves made (1505) in the entire league.
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Devils at Islanders picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 4, Devils 3
Moneyline
BET ISLANDERS ML (-130).
That was a gut-wrenching loss for a Devils team against the lowly Senators Saturday night as they fell further out of postseason contention. Meanwhile, New York has some momentum after taking down a Jets team that is headed to the playoffs. Personally, I doubt the Devils will be able to regroup so quickly with their backup goaltender against an Islanders team that should stay fired up thanks to a 2-goal Game from veteran RW Cal Clutterbuck.
Puck line/Against the spread
PASS.
Too much juice to take Devils on the puck line, plus New Jersey has allowed the most empty-net goals so far this season (23). If this game does not end up needing overtime to decide a winner, there is a good chance the desperate Devils could pull Kahkonen early, which would allow the Isles to get some chances at the empty net.
Over/Under
BET OVER 6.5 (-108).
Entering Sunday, no team has more rebound shots than New Jersey (229), while the Islanders have the 4th-most (206). Conversely, the Devils allow the 5th-most rebound goals (23), so there should be plenty of opportunities for a guy like C Brock Nelson to break his 7-game goalless streak.
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