The Florida Panthers will look to end a season-worst four-game losing skid Tuesday night as they host the New York Islanders. New York has also lost three straight and will finally end its insane 13-game road trip, as the Isles will play their first home game at UBS Arena Saturday night.
The Islanders are also on the backend of a back-to-back after a 4-1 loss to the Bolts last night.
Florida is a hefty NHL betting favorite tonight, with Sergei Bobrovsky (6-2 SU, 1.88 GAA) starting for the Panthers while the Islanders will likely go with Ilya Sorokin (5-5 SU, 2.18 GAA).
Here are our free NHL picks and predictions for Islanders vs. Panthers for Tuesday, November 16.
Islanders vs Panthers odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Florida has moved from -150 to -170 on the moneyline, and is still heading lower, with a total of 5.5. Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Islanders vs Panthers predictions
Predictions made on 11/16/2021 at 11:30 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Islanders vs Panthers game info
• Location: FLA Live Arena, Sunrise, FL
• Date: Tuesday, November 16, 2021
• Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: HULU, ESPN+
Islanders vs Panthers betting preview
Injuries
Islanders: Casey Cizikas F (Questionable).
Panthers: Joe Thornton F (Out), Noel Acciari F (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Islanders vs Panthers head-to-head record (since 2019)
Islanders: 6-2 SU, 22 goals for.
Panthers: 2-6 SU, 16 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Islanders are 0-6 SU in their last six vs. a team with a winning record. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Panthers.
Islanders vs Panthers picks and predictions
Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.
Moneyline analysis
The Panthers came out of the gates as the best team in hockey, winning their first eight games. The Eastern Conference-leading club has hit a bump in the road, however, dropping four straight games — all on the road — but get a huge scheduling advantage tonight against the Islanders.
New York will play its 13th straight road game tonight as it has been waiting to inhabit its new barn — the UBS Arena. The Islanders lost their third straight game last night to the Lightning, 4-1, and one has to think this team just wants to get off the road and start things fresh.
The Islanders were one of the best home teams last season with a 21-7 SU record and playing 12 games on the road to open the season has been a struggle for them as they sit at 5-7 SU heading into Tuesday’s battle against a hungry Florida team.
New York is having trouble finding offense as its 2.33 goals per game ranks 29th in the league. The power play has been brutal and is a Bottom-5 unit and hasn’t scored in five straight games (0 for 11). Of the team’s 28 goals, 23 have been scored at even strength — but Florida is one of the best defensive teams at 5-on-5 and poses a tough matchup for the visitors.
The Islanders’ scoring problems could be compounded even more with Sergei Bobrovsky scheduled to guard the twine for the Panthers. Bob is putting up Vezina numbers this season, as he has yet to lose in regulation and owns a 1.88 goals-against average and a league-leading .940 save percentage. In his last eight starts, he’s allowed more than two goals just once. Bobrovsky is a perfect 4-0 SU at home this season with a 1.61 GAA and a .954 SV%.
The Florida offense has been terrible of late and still managed at least two goals in each of its last four losses, but Spencer Knight didn’t help them out and gave up 10 goals in his last two starts. Goals might not come easy Tuesday night for Florida, but this offense still ranks second in the league in goals per game (3.73) and scores at the second-highest rate at 5-on-5.
If there was ever a game for the Islanders to mail one in, it’s tonight. Playing the second game of a traveling back-to-back at the end of a 13-game road trip with a shiny new barn waiting for them in Elmont is one hell of a spot bet for the Panthers.
This ML has moved a ton already but we can still get the Panthers to win in regulation at a decent price of -105. This Florida team is too good to drop five in a row.
Prediction: Panthers 3-way ML (-105)
Over/Under analysis
Both teams have been profitable to the Under this year and the Islanders have one of the best Under records at 3-8-1 O/U. New York is near the bottom in the league in goals per game and allows 2.67 goals per game, which is a Top-10 mark. Tonight’s possible starter, Ilya Sorokin, has been the better of the two New York goalies by a fair margin: He owns a 2.18 GAA with a .933 save percentage and three shutouts and the Under is 7-1 in Sorokin’s last seven starts.
Goals will be at a premium as it’s not often we get a total of 5.5 that leans to the Under, but with Bobrovsky versus Sorokin, anything above five total goals would be unexpected — these are two of the league’s sharpest goalies this season.
Florida has been held to fewer than three goals in four straight games and hasn’t scored on the power play over that stretch, with just nine power plays during the losing streak. Not to be outdone are the Islanders, who haven’t scored more than two goals over their last four games and have gone goalless in their last 11 power-play opportunities — which covers their last five games.
It’s the Under for us.
Prediction: Under 5.5 (-110)
Best bet
This could be the biggest spot bet on the ice this season. A 13-game road trip is unheard of and having to finish it up with a back-to-back game versus a Florida team that has dropped four straight is a tough assignment. There is no way that the Islanders aren’t looking ahead here and they've also lost their last six games versus teams with a winning record.
Bobrovsky is also a goalie we have no problem putting our money behind and it’s nice to know that he's already the confirmed starter. The market is proving us correct as the ML has moved from -150 to -172. Those who missed the FLA ML at -150 can still get a solid 3-way ML play at -105. Florida took the first meeting back on October 16 by a final score of 5-1, a game in which Sorokin started.
Pick: Panthers 3-way ML (-105)
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