The New York Islanders (34-30-9) go north to face the Montreal Canadiens (20-43-11) Friday at Centre Bell Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Islanders vs. Canadiens odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.
The Islanders remain on life support, 15 points out of the final playoff spot with 9 games to go. They have won 6 of 10, but lost 6-3 Thursday to the Pittsburgh Penguins. LW Zach Parise has 3 goals in the last 2 games.
Montreal has lost 3 in a row and 7 of 9 in this disappointing season. They have scored just 5 goals in the 3 losses.
Islanders at Canadiens odds and lines
- Money line: Islanders -155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Canadiens +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): Islanders -1.5 (+165) | Canadiens +1.5 (-220)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -125 | U: +100)
Islanders at Canadiens projected goalies
Semyon Varlamov (9-15-2, 2.86 GAA, .914 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Sam Montembeault (7-16-6, 3.64 GAA, .895 SV%, 1 SO)
Varlamov has been shaky dropping the last 2 and allowing 9 goals in the process. Before that, though, he shut out the New York Rangers. He has not faced the Habs this season.
Montembeault has lost 5 in a row, and he was stung by the Blue Jackets for 5 goals Wednesday. He came on in relief in November and stopped all 10 of the Islanders’ shots.
Money line
The Islanders are just 1-4 in the last 5 in this series, but they are the better team. Montreal has had severe goaltending issues since Carey Price went down, but there are rumblings he could be close to a return. NYI is the better team with something to play for, and even though it’s on the road with no rest, we’re going to LEAN ISLANDERS (-155).
Against the spread
There’s no value on the puck line here. PASS.
Over/Under
These offenses don’t really scream “six goals,” but the matchup in February saw 5 scored. There could be some tired, sloppy legs on the Islanders’ side to push this Over the total.
The Over is 9-1 the last 10 times the Isles were favored on the road. The Over is 4-0 in the Islanders’ last four against teams with a losing record. Take the OVER 5.5 (-125).