The New York Islanders (11-7-0) and Dallas Stars (10-5-2) meet Saturday at American Airlines Center. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+).
The Islanders were outlasted 5-4 by the Nashville Predators Thursday. Despite the loss, New York is still a solid 4-2 in the past 6 outings, going for 4 or more goals in 5 of those contests.
The Stars have been an offensive juggernaut lately, including an impressive 6-4 win at the Florida Panthers Thursday. Dallas has scored 4 or more goals in 4 straight contests, and 7 of the past 8 outings, averaging 4.8 goals per game (GPG) during the impressive stretch.
Islanders at Stars odds
- Moneyline (ML): Islanders +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Stars -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-200) | Stars -1.5 (+150)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -130 | U: +110)
Islanders at Stars projected goalies
Ilya Sorokin (7-5-0, 2.41 GAA, .925 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Jake Oettinger (6-2-1, 2.23 GAA, .927 SV%, 1 SO)
Sorokin tied a season-high with 5 goals allowed on 31 shots in Thursday against Nashville. He had allowed 3 or fewer goals in each of his previous 7 starts and 8 appearances dating back to Oct. 22.
Oettinger came on midway through the second period Thursday in Florida, turning aside 19 of the 21 shots he faced in relief. He is just 1-1-1 with a 3.80 GAA and .887 SV% in 3 starts and 4 appearances in November.
Islanders at Stars picks and predictions
Prediction
Stars 3, Islanders 2
Moneyline
The STARS (-145) are a decent play as moderate favorites. Oettinger was banged up to start the month, and he was rather uneven in his first 3 starts back from injury. He was sharp in relief Thursday, and might finally have his mojo back.
Puck line/Against the spread
The Islanders +1.5 (-200) will cost you 2 times your potential return on the puck line, and that’s too much risk for not enough reward if you’re searching for some insurance.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 5.5(+110) is a solid value at plus money.
These teams have been scoring plenty and ticking off a lot of Overs lately. However, if Sorokin and Oettinger play to their capabilities, this has the potential to be a rather low-scoring game.
The Over is 7-0-2 in the past 9 games overall for Dallas, and 7-3-1 in the past 11 …