Canucks vs. Islanders Odds
| Canucks Odds | +100 |
| Islanders Odds | -120 |
| Over / Under |
6.5
+110o / -134u
|
Here’s everything you need to know about the Vancouver Canucks vs. New York Islanders on Tuesday, Jan. 9 — our expert NHL prediction and pick.
After a dynamic game on Broadway last night, the Canucks are after it again. It’ll be their third game in four days, but they’ll look to sweep the tri-state area on this East Coast road trip.
The Islanders have had a strange season filled with ups and downs. It’ll be their first home game after going 1-2-1 on their recent road trip, but they remain competitive in a tight Metropolitan Division.
What version of the Islanders will we see Tuesday?
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The Canucks are an absolute problem this year. With four players averaging over a point per game, coach Rick Tocchet has his team clicking.
The top guys all had a hand in last night’s victory. J.T. Miller had a goal, Elias Pettersson had four points, Brock Boeser had a goal and two assists and captain Quinn Hughes had an assist.
Despite their pure domination across the NHL, the Canucks are a mediocre 5-on-5 team. They rank 16th in expected goals with a 50.61 xGF% and 14th with a 2.59 xGA/60.
Vancouver does have a lethal power play, scoring nearly 24% of the time. The penalty kill, on the other hand, is just OK, succeeding at a 78% rate.
Given that Thatcher Demko started last night against the Rangers, I’d expect Casey DeSmith to start tonight. DeSmith has posted some of the best numbers for a backup goalie, playing to a .917 SV% and a 3.6 GSAx.
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What was once an inept offensive team is now humming. Mathew Barzal is looking like his old self, averaging over a point per game, and has formed an immense chemistry with Bo Horvat.
Noah Dobson is also playing like a Norris Trophy candidate, and Brock Nelson has continued to be the Islanders’ top goal scorer.
Similar to its counterparts, New York is as average as you can get at 5-on-5, ranking 18th with a 49.79 xGF%. Defensively, it’s also pretty bad with a 2.89 xGA/60.
Contrary to past years, the Islanders have generated most of their offense on the power play — scoring at a 23.3% clip. The penalty kill on the other hand is terrible, succeeding at a second-worst 71.7%.
I’d expect Ilya Sorokin to start Tuesday. After posting Vezina-like numbers last season, he’s hit a bit of a rut this season. While he’s still the top guy in net, he’s only playing to a .909 SV% and a 5.2 GSAx, which is typically below his standards.
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What is mind blowing is that these teams play a similar brand of hockey, but in two totally different situations.
Yet, FanDuel favors the Islanders in this matchup, and rightfully so. The Canucks are coming off a game against an elite Rangers team last night and playing their backup goalie. DeSmith has been solid all year, and is 3-2-1 with a .905 career SV% against the Islanders. However, I like what the Islanders have done on the offensive end.
Barzal and Horvat are lethal together, matched with Dobson who’s had the game slow down for him this season.
I love the Canucks this season, but this pick is totally situational. They’ve been on fire of late, but three games in four nights is usually a recipe for disaster.
Pick: Islanders ML -120
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