Islanders vs. Blackhawks Odds
| Islanders Odds | -240 |
| Blackhawks Odds | +195 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -120o / -102u |
Here's everything you need to know about Islanders vs. Blackhawks on Friday, Jan. 19 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
The under has been a profitable bet when these teams square off, going 8-2 over the past 10 meetings. Will we see another low-scoring affair Friday evening?
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make an Islanders vs. Blackhawks prediction and pick.
New York Islanders
New York's offense has gone stagnant in the new year, which bodes well for the Under in Monday's outing. The Islanders are averaging a mere 1.8 goals scored over their past six games, a troubling trend that furthers this team's offensive woes.
On the season, they now rank 23rd in the league in both goals scored per game and shots on goal per game. However, multiple goals may not even be necessary in tonight's outing against Chicago.
First, the Blackhawks are terrible (more on that below). Second, goaltender Ilya Sorokin is slated to guard the cage for New York.
About as reliable as one can be, Sorokin continues to serve as the backbone of this franchise. Through 32 appearances in the crease this season, he boasts a .911 SV%. Entering this contest in particularly good form, Sorokin possesses a .920 SV% over his past four starts. That success is likely to continue against the Blackhawks, a team he has dominated with a .968 SV% and 1 GAA through two career starts. There were five or fewer total goals scored in each of those two outings.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago's offensive struggles are likely to continue against Sorokin, especially when you look at the injury report for this game. The Blackhawks are once again expected to be without forwards Connor Bedard, Anthony Beauvillier, Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Johnson, Taylor Hall and Nick Foligno.
The Blackhawks' offense was terrible with all those guys playing. Without them? You may be more impressed with the University of Denver's offensive efficiency.
On the campaign, Chicago now ranks 29th or lower in goals scored per game, shots on goal per game, power-play percentage and shooting percentage. The Blackhawks' underlying metrics are even worse, as they ranks last in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5.
It has gotten so bad that Chicago has scored more than two goals just once over its past 10 games. Over that stretch, the Blackhawks are averaging just 1.3 goals per game. Unsurprisingly, there have been five or fewer total goals scored in seven of those 10 outings.
Islanders vs. Blackhawks
Betting Pick & Prediction
There are two factors that play into those low-scoring games for Chicago. Yes, the offense has to stink, which it has done, but the goaltending also has to hold its own as the Blackhawks' blue line is hardly any better.
Enter Petr Mrázek, who is slated to start between the pipes for Chicago. Outside of Bedard, Jason Dickinson and Alex Vlasic, Mrázek has been the lone bright spot of the Blackhawks' campaign.
Through 30 appearances in the crease, Mrázek boasts a .907 SV%, and as someone who watches every Blackhawks game, I promise you he has played even better than that number suggests. As long as Mrázek holds New York to three or fewer goals, which he has done to opponents in each of his past five starts, the Under 5.5 should be safe considering it is very unlikely the Blackhawks score more than twice at the most.
Pick: Under 5.5 (+110 at PointsBet | Play to +105)
