The New York Islanders are in the Sin City tonight to take on the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Islanders are coming off their third straight loss last night, while Vegas last played on Thursday with a win over the Blackhawks.
Can the Islanders snap their losing streak, or will the Golden Knights win their third in a row? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Islanders vs. Golden Knights on December 17.
Islanders vs Golden Knights best odds
Islanders vs Golden Knights picks and predictions
The New York Islanders are in the midst of a three-game losing streak, but that could change tonight.
The Vegas Golden Knights are without leading scorer Jack Eichel, who has a lower-body injury and hasn’t played since December 9. Vegas is also missing two key defensemen as Shea Theodore (leg) and Alex Pietrangelo (personal) are both out tonight.
Oddly enough, Vegas is a much better team away from their home building. The Golden Knights lead the NHL in road victories, winning 14 of their 17 contests when they are the visitor.
In the desert, however, they are just 8-7. The Golden Knights are averaging 4.12 goals on the road, but that number drops to 2.40 when they play at T-Mobile Arena.
With Vegas down three top scorers and struggling at home, I’ll take the Islanders to pull off the upset and snap their three-game losing streak.
My best bet: Islanders moneyline (+150 at WynnBet)
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Islanders vs Golden Knights moneyline analysis
Goaltending can be the difference-maker for New York tonight. Islanders’ goalie Ilya Sorokin is looking solid in net this season, ranking sixth in SV% at .921.
If head coach Lane Lambert decides to give Sorokin a breather, the goalie duties fall to Semyon Varlamov. These two combined last year as one of the best duos in the league. Varlamov has played in 11 games and has a record of 7-3 with a SV% of .916.
Vegas is 11th in goals scored, averaging 3.31 a game, with Jonathan Marchessault and Reilly Smith tied for the team lead in goals with 14. The Islanders are 15th, led by Brock Nelson and Mathew Barzal, who have combined for 31 points in 31 games.
The Golden Knights will most likely start Logan Thompson in goal tonight. The netminder has a GAA of 2.68 and a save percentage of .918.
With Vegas’ odds at -165 on the moneyline, take a flyer on the Islanders and the +150.
Islanders vs Golden Knights Over/Under analysis
The total opened at six, with the Under juiced to -120.
With Vegas scoring nearly two goals fewer at home than on the road, the Under looks like the play here.
The trends definitely back it up as well. Vegas has hit the Under in 12 of its last 16 home games. The Under is also 3-1-1 in their last five games.
New York is a stingy defensive-first team and also boasts the sixth-best penalty kill in the NHL. Look for this game to be low-scoring. I don’t see the total getting to five, much less six.
Islanders vs Golden Knights betting trend to know
The Under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings between the two teams and 3-0-1 in the last four in Vegas. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs Golden Knights.
Islanders vs Golden Knights game info
| Location: | T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV |
| Date: | Saturday, December 17, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ATTSN, MSG |
