The 2021-22 NHL season continues Sunday, April 3, with the Metropolitan Division showdown at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, so we bring you the best Islanders vs. Devils betting pick along with the latest odds update on BetMGM NY Sportsbook.Â
The Islanders and Devils wrap up their four-game regular-season series, and New York aims for its third consecutive victory over New Jersey. After a 4-0 defeat at Prudential Center in November, the Islanders beat the Devils twice at home, 4-2 in December and 3-2 in January.
The Islanders search for their fourth straight WÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
The New York Islanders (31-27-9) are coming off an impressive 3-0 victory at the New York Rangers this past Friday. It was their third victory in a row and seventh in the Islanders’ previous ten outings at any location.
Semyon Varlamov posted his second shutout of the season, turning 27 shots aside at Madison Square Garden. The Islanders took only 18 shots toward the Rangers’ goalie, and Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, and Mathew Barzal all found the back of the net.
With 15 games to go, the Islanders are a huge 13 points off the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. They score 2.76 goals per game (24th in the NHL) and surrender only 2.64 in a return (5th). Varlamov is 9-13-2 with a 2.73 GAA and .918 save percentage in 2021-22, while Ilya Sorokin carries a 22-14-7 record, 2.30 GAA and .927 save percentage. It’s unclear who’ll guard the cage against the Devils, as Sorokin is recovering from a minor injury.
The Devils play without rest         Â
The New Jersey Devils meet the Islanders on the second day of a back-to-back set. They opened a four-game homestand with a tough clash against the Florida Panthers on Saturday afternoon. New Jersey hoped to bounce back from a heavy 8-1 defeat at the Boston Bruins this past Thursday.
The Devils embarrassed themselves at TD Garden, recording their sixth loss in the last eight outings. They surrendered a whopping six goals in the second period. Nico Daws (8-9-0; 3.27 GAA; .894 SV%) yielded five goals on 20 shots, while Jon Gillies (3-10-1; 3.80 GAA; .885 SV%) surrendered three on 20 shots in relief.
New Jersey hasn’t announced who’ll patrol the crease Sunday against the Islanders. The Devils allow 3.63 goals per contest (29th in the league) and score 3.00 in a return (tied-17th).
Trends:
NY Islanders:
- 10-4 in the last 14 games overall
- 13-4 in the last 17 games against New Jersey
New Jersey:
- 2-6 in the last eight games overall
- 2-6 in the last eight home games against the Islanders
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New York Islanders vs. New Jersey Devils Pick
The Devils could struggle with fatigue after a tough clash against Florida on the first day of a back-to-back, so I’m backing the Islanders to extend their dominance over New Jersey. The Islanders have won 13 of their previous 17 games against the Devils.
Also, I’m expecting the Islanders to put on a fight as long as they remain in the playoff race. They’ll probably miss the postseason, but the Islanders have played very well over the last few weeks and should be able to outlast New Jersey.
Pick: Take New York Islanders
The Total:
The totals are a tricky wager in this game. The Islanders lean on their stout defense, while the Devils’ D has been terrible all season. On the flip side, the Islanders love to take a patient approach, especially if they take an early lead.
The total has gone under in the previous five encounters between the Islanders and Devils at Prudential Center. On the other hand, the over is 4-2 in New York’s last six games overall, and it is 6-2 in New Jersey’s previous eight. I lean the over because of the Devils’ style of play. The hosts will push forward in numbers.
Pick: Go over
