Prior to the start of each new NHL season, we all make predictions about which two teams will be going head to head in the Stanley Cup Final. Getting that pick right is incredibly tough, as it’s very rarely the two teams that we expected that make it all the way. Honestly, at the start of last season, did anyone outside of Nevada really believe that the Vegas Golden Knights would be in the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season? The point here is that the NHL’s 82-game season and playoffs are a brutal grind that is tough to survive. It’s why we never see the team with the best regular season record land in the final, which may prove to be bad news for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
A pair of teams that are something of a surprise this season is among the league’s best right now, and they will be going head to head on Wednesday night when the New York Islanders head west to face the Calgary Flames. Calgary is favored by 1 ½ here, with the O/U set at 6.
Islanders vs Flames NHL Week 21 Odds & Expert Pick
Gearing up for game night in Calgary. #Isles pic.twitter.com/LbqUtI8CvF
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) 20 de febrero de 2019
- When: Wednesday, February 20 at 9:30 PM EST
- Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- Live Stream: NHL.tv
- NHL Odds: Calgary Flames -150 (Total 6)
Bruins vs Golden Knights NHL Betting Lines & Game Preview
Why bet on the New York Islanders?
The New York Islanders have been on a fantastic run of form over the past month or so, going on a winning run that has taken them all the way to the top of the Metropolitan Division. The Islanders recent run has seen them go 6-2-2 in their last 10 games, taking their season point total to 76, which is good enough for a 3-point lead in the division over the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals.
The Islanders are playing some fantastic defensive hockey at the moment, surrendering just 10 goals in their last 6 games, which might well make the UNDER a bet worth looking at here. They have also been very good on the road, positing a 17-10-2 record away from home.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 2.91
- Shots: 28.57
- PP/PK Percentage: 16.18
Defense
- Goals: 2.38
- Shots: 30.53
- PP/PK Percentage: 20.37
Why bet on the Calgary Flames?
The Calgary Flames are certainly one of the more surprising teams this season, but they also look like a team set to dominate for a while. They have a lot of great young talent signed up for the next few years, so even if they cannot go all the way this season, they look to be in good shape for the future. The Flames had a great first half of the season, but they came back a little sluggish after the All-Star break.
They appear to have righted that ship now, winning back to back games and improving to a 5-3-2 record over the last 10. Where this team has been really good is on home ice, where they are currently sitting with an 18-5-5 record. The Flames have split the last 4 games with the Islanders, with the road team winning both meetings last season.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.68
- Shots: 32.17
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.38
Defense
- Goals: 2.98
- Shots: 29.25
- PP/PK Percentage: 22.34
Islanders vs Flames NHL Week 21 Betting Trends
- NY is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
- NY is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of NY Islanders’s last 5 games on the road
- Calgary is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games
- Calgary is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 8 of Calgary’s last 9 games at home
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
The Flames offense is among the very best in the league, but they are going to get a serious test against an Islanders D that is suddenly very stingy. I think we are looking at a tight one that could go to OT. I am on the Flames to edge it.
Score: New York Islanders 2 – Calgary Flames 3
