Boston Bruins (20-17-4) vs New York Islanders (14-18-7)
Game Info: Sunday, January 5, 2025 at 6:00 pm (TD Garden)
The Line: Betting Odds: Boston Bruins -120 / New York Islanders +100 — Over/Under: 5.5
In this article, we will formulate a New York Islanders vs Boston Bruins prediction for this NHL game on Sunday, January 5th at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders are 14-18-7 this season after they lost to Toronto by a score of 2-1 in their last game. New York tied the game at one in the second period, but they allowed a goal with about three minutes left in the game for the loss. The Islanders outshot Toronto by a total of 33-31, won 43.4% of the face-offs, and went 0-3 on the power play in the game. New York got their lone goal from Mayfield, while Sorokin stopped 29 out of 31 shots in the loss.
Prior to that game, the Islanders lost another game with the Maple Leafs by a score of 3-1 and the Penguins by a score of 3-2. New York has lost three in a row and six of their last eight, and they are currently tied for last in the Metro standings with 35 points. New York has scored 2.59 goals per game and they have allowed 3.15 goals against per game, while also going 11% on the power play and 63.5% on the penalty kill this season. Anders Lee has led New York with 16 goals, 14 assists, and 113 shots on goal, while Bo Horvat has added 10 goals, 17 assists, and 111 shots on goal. Ilya Sorokin is 11-13-4 with a 2.89 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage this year.
Boston Bruins Betting Preview
The Boston Bruins are 20-17-4 this year after they lost to Toronto by a score of 6-4 in their last game. Boston erased a 2-0 deficit in the second period, but they allowed four goals in the third period for the loss. The Bruins outshot Toronto by a total of 31-29, won 45.5% of the face-offs, and went 0-2 on the power play in the game. Boston got goals from Frederic, Geekie, and Pastrnak (2), while Swayman stopped 23 out of 27 shots in the game.
Prior to that loss, the Bruins lost to the Rangers by a score of 2-1 and the Capitals by a score of 3-1. Boston has lost three games in a row and four of their last five, and they are currently third in the Atlantic standings with 44 points. Boston has scored 2.58 goals per game and they have allowed 3.00 goals against per game, while also going 12.9% on the power play and 75.8% on the penalty kill this season. David Pastrnak has led Boston with 15 goals, 25 assists, and 168 shots on goal, while Brad Marchand has added 15 goals, 16 assists, and 120 shots on goal. Joonas Korpisalo is 7-4-1 with a 2.71 goals against average and an .895 save percentage this season.
Why the Bruins will beat the Islanders
- The Bruins have won each of their last six games at TD Garden.
- The Islanders have lost five of their last six games against opponents on a losing streak.
- The Bruins have covered the puck line in each of their last four night games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in four of their last five road games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Islanders have lost the third period in four of their last five games as underdogs following a home loss.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Bruins’ last seven night games at TD Garden has gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Each of the Islanders’ last four games as underdogs following a home loss have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last five road games against the Bruins.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in three of the Bruins’ last four home games against the Islanders.
Boston Bruins Player Prop Facts
- Morgan Geekie has scored at least one goal in each of the Bruins’ last three games on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- David Pastrnak has recorded at least one point in each of the Bruins’ last 10 games against the Islanders at TD Garden.
- Charlie McAvoy has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against the Islanders after playing less than 20 minutes in the Bruins’ last game.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Bo Horvat has scored a goal in four of the Islanders’ last five games as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Mathew Barzal has recorded at least one point in eight of his last nine appearances with the Islanders as road underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
- Noah Dobson has recorded at least one assist in each of the Islanders’ last five games at TD Garden against opponents who are playing on the second leg of a back-to-back.
New York Islanders vs Boston Bruins Prediction
Both of these teams come into this matchup trying to snap small losing streaks and the Bruins will be on a back-to-back, but they will be at home. The Bruins are 12-6-2 at home this year, but they have struggled to score goals this season, as they are scoring 2.58 per game. New York is 7-9-5 on the road and they have scored two goals or fewer in three straight games. The Islanders have been one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference and I just don’t see them going into Boston and picking up a win. Take the Bruins here.