New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks – The New York Islanders and Chicago Blackhawks are set to face off in an exciting NHL regular season matchup this Friday. The Islanders, with a record of 19-14-10, are looking to solidify their standing against the struggling Blackhawks, who hold a 12-29-2 record. This game, taking place at the United Center at 8:30 PM ET and broadcast on ESPN+, is not just a test of skill and strategy but also a crucial event for NHL betting picks enthusiasts.
New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Date & Time: Friday, January 19, 2024, at 8:30 PM ET
Location: United Center
TV: ESPN+
New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Puckline | Total |
| Islanders | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| Blackhawks | TBD | TBD | TBD |
New York Islanders Analysis
The New York Islanders have displayed an outstanding offense this season, spearheaded by Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat’s dynamic duo of scoring/playmaking combo. Barzal has amassed 45 points in 42 games thanks to a balanced blend of scoring/playmaking abilities combined with exceptional skating ability to navigate tight spaces efficiently while setting up teammates; Horvat, on the other hand, has proven himself an expert goal scorer with 17 goals (seven on power play!).
Defensewise, the Islanders rely heavily on goaltender Ilya Sorokin as their cornerstone. His statistics, such as his 0.909 save percentage and 3.18 goals against average, only tell part of the story; his ability to make key saves under pressure situations has been an invaluable lifeline for them during close games. Meanwhile, defenseman Noah Dobson has proven his worth both defensively and offensively by notching 43 points from 43 games!
Chicago Blackhawks Analysis
Despite their struggles this season, the Chicago Blackhawks still boast some bright spots on offense. Tyler Johnson and Philipp Kurashev have been key contributors, with Johnson notching 13 points in 35 games and Kurashev posting 23 in 36. Johnson can create chances from seemingly innocuous situations while Kurashev uses his playmaking talents to set up scoring chances for teammates. They will need their offensive abilities in order to break through an Islanders defense that has proven relatively sturdy this year.
Petr Mrazek has been an outstanding performer for the Blackhawks on defense. His experience and resilience under pressure have been critical in games where their defense faltered; his 0.904 save percentage speaks for itself when looking at overall team performance. On defense, however, they must step up and support Mrazek by limiting high-quality chances the Islanders receive and forcing them into taking shots from less dangerous areas – this strategy will hopefully work.
New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks Against the Spread
The Islanders are 2-3 straight up in their last 5 games, also going 2-3 against the spread during that span. They have been an unfavorable 13-8 against the puckline on the road. The totals have finished OVER the posted total in 3 of the Islanders’ last 5 matchups, while going OVER in 13 of their last 22 contests on the road.
The Blackhawks have gone 2-3 straight up and 2-3 against the spread over their last 5 outings. They have struggled against the number away from home, posting an 8-15 record against the puckline. Totals have gone OVER 2 of Chicago’s previous 5 games and 8 of their last 20 at home.
New York Islanders vs. Chicago Blackhawks Free Pick
Based on trends, team stats, and key players, here are the picks:
Moneyline: New York Islanders. The Islanders boast superior overall performance and offensive prowess, giving them the upper hand.
Spread: New York Islanders. Given Chicago’s history with covering spreads at home, the Islanders should cover.
Total: Over. Both teams have recently seen games go over, suggesting an exciting, high-scoring matchup.
Predicted Score: New York Islanders 4, Chicago Blackhawks 2
Although no NHL game can ever be predicted with certainty, this matchup appears to favor the New York Islanders both financially and spreadwise. Furthermore, with recent trends of both teams suggesting it could go over, these picks provide a well-rounded strategy for betting on this exciting NHL matchup online sportsbooks in Canada can use to wager on this exciting NHL clash.
