The New York Islanders (6-6-4) visit the Vancouver Canucks (8-3-3) Thursday with puck drop from Rogers Arena scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Islanders vs. Canucks odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: First meeting; Canucks swept 2-0 last season
The Islanders endured a tough 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers Tuesday, marking their second straight OT defeat and missing a +193 underdog payout. The Over (6) cashed, with G Ilya Sorokin facing relentless pressure and making 42 saves. LW Anders Lee stood out offensively, netting 2 goals on his only 2 shots.
The Canucks secured their 4th win in 5 games, defeating the Flames 3-1 as -223 favorites on Tuesday as the Under (6.5) hit. C Elias Pettersson and D Erik Brannstrom each scored a goal and had an assist. G Kevin Lankinen was strong in net, saving 28 of 29 shots faced.
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Islanders at Canucks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NHL odds. Lines last updated at 1:31 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Islanders +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Canucks -175 (bet $175 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-175) | Canucks -1.5 (+145)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Islanders at Canucks projected goalies
Semyon Varlamov (2-3-1, 3.01 GAA, .887 SV%) vs. Kevin Lankinen (8-1-2, 2.46 GAA, .911 SV%)
Varlamov, coming off a Nov. 7 win over the Senators, is rested and ready to face the Canucks. Historically, he holds a 7-12-2 record against Vancouver, with a 2.96 GAA and a .900 save percentage in 21 matchups.
Lankinen is 4-1 in November, with a 2.68 GAA and .899 SV%. His stats would be even better if not for a rough outing against the Oilers, where he allowed 7 goals. In his most recent start against the Islanders on April 6, he gave up just 1 goal on 29 shots.
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Islanders at Canucks picks and predictions
Prediction
Canucks 3, Islanders 1
Moneyline
PASS.
The Canucks (-175) are the clear favorite and they’ll come away victorious on Thursday night, but go with the better odds and take them on the puck line.
Puck line/Against the spread
BET VANCOUVER -1.5 (+145).
Both teams might go with backup goalies, as Lankinen has started 5 straight Games and Sorokin has been in goal for 5 of the Islanders’ last 6. Vancouver’s offense, ranked 11th in shooting percentage (11.5%), should be the deciding factor. The Canucks have won 3 of their last 4 Games by 2 or more goals, while the Islanders have lost 4 of their last 5 Games by 2+ goals. Vancouver also leads in high-danger scoring chances (57.5%) compared to New York’s 49.1%.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 6 (-115)
Both teams have underperformed on the power play this season, with the Canucks at 14th (20.5%) and the Islanders at 29th (12.5%). Goaltenders Lankinen and Varlamov have been solid lately, with Lankinen allowing 2 or fewer goals in 4 of his last 5 starts, and Varlamov giving up just 3 in his last 2 outings.
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