In their final head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Chicago Blackhawks and the New York Islanders meet at the Barclays Center for an East-West tilt. This one will get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 24 and it’s being shown live on WGN Channel 9.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. New York Islanders Odds
New York (-125) is currently the favorite over Chicago (+105), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 7 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under). After originally opening at -115 over and -105 under, those lines have shifted.
Losing -11.6 units for moneyline bettors, the Islanders are 31-43 straight up (SU) overall in the 2017-18 season. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 41-41 record that the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. Of its 74 games this season, 45 have gone over the total, while 26 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team is 17-19 SU at home this year.
New York has been able to convert on 22.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.5 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, New York has been called for penalties just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 4.4 per game over its last five outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 5.6 minutes per game over its last five home outings.
Averaging 29.3 saves per game with a .906 save percentage, Jaroslav Halak (18-33-6) has been the best option in goal for the Islanders this year. If head coach Doug Weight decides to rest him, however, the team might roll with Thomas Greiss (12-12-12 record, .891 save percentage, 3.84 goals against average).
John Tavares and Mathew Barzal will both be focal points for the Islanders. Tavares (77 points) has tallied 32 goals and 45 assists and has recorded two or more points 22 times this year. Barzal has 20 goals and 56 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 44 games.
Chicago is 30-45 straight up (SU) and has lost 20.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 75 regular season contests, 37 of its games have gone under the total, while 34 have gone over and just four have pushed. Chicago’s 13-24 SU as the away team this season.
Chicago has converted on just 15.9 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 20th overall and it’s successfully killed off 79.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Chicago’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.4 times per game this season, 3.2 per game over their last five outings total, and 3.8 per game over their last five games as the visiting team. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford (27.9 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Chicago. Crawford owns a 16-12-2 record, while registering a .929 save percentage and 2.27 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Blackhawks, the offense will be facilitated by Patrick Kane, who has 46 assists and 25 goals on the year.
Chicago Blackhawks at New York Islanders Free Picks
Pick: SU Winner – Blackhawks, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in four of New York’s last five outings.
Chicago has managed 31.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York is averaging 36.6 shots per game over its last five at home.
The Islanders are 12-23 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 20-33 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
New York (3-3 in shootouts this season) has more experience in games decided by shootout. Chicago has only participated in two shootouts this year, winning one and losing the other.
New York is ranked 21st in the NHL this season with 6.5 takeaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as the team has averaged 7.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.4 takeaways over its last five.
Chicago has allowed 3.1 goals per game overall this year, but has given up 5.2 goals per match up over its last five games (0-5 SU over that span).
Chicago skaters have averaged 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.3 takeaways per game (ranked 15th in the NHL).
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