Islanders vs Devils Prediction, Betting Odds, and Our Best Bet

The New York Islanders are heading to Newark tonight for a tough battle against the New Jersey Devils in a Metropolitan Division showdown. This marks just the 1st meeting between the two teams this season, with several more on the docket. The Islanders are coming off their most impressive win of the year, blanking the rival Rangers 5-0 behind 2 goals from Bo Horvat. But they’ll have to raise their level even more to hang with a Devils squad that’s quietly become one of the most well-rounded teams in the East.

Game Details and Betting Odds

The Devils are currently listed as -165 favorites on the moneyline, with the Islanders coming back at +140. The puck line has New Jersey -1.5 at +150, and the game total is set at 6.5 goals, with the over at -110 and the under at -110 as well.

Bookmakers are clearly giving some respect to the Devils’ consistency, especially at home, where they’ve won 6 of their last 7 matchups. The Islanders, on the other hand, have hovered around .500 all year and haven’t put together back-to-back wins since late October. It’s looking like an uphill battle for the Islanders.

Breaking Down the Matchup

The Islanders, sitting at 7-6-2, have been up and down all season. One night, they’re beating the Rangers by 5, the next they’re giving up 4 to a middle-of-the-pack Minnesota team. There’s just too much volatility with this team. The silver lining is that their offense has improved recently, scoring 3.4 GPG over their last 10 as Bo Horvat leads the team with 11 goals and 18 points, while Mathew Barzal is their top assist man with 9.

Still, scoring depth remains an issue that’s hard to overlook. Outside of Horvat and Barzal, production has been inconsistent. The Islanders rank 13th in goals scored but sit just 23rd in shooting percentage at 11.1% and a weak 25th on the power play at just 16%. They don’t generate enough high-danger chances and rely too much on Horvat to do the heavy lifting for the entire team.

On defense, they’ve allowed 49 goals through 15 games, giving them a narrow +1 goal differential. They give up 3.27 GPG and struggle with penalty discipline, averaging 10.6 PIM per game, which puts them 5th-most in the NHL. Their PK is middle-of-the-pack at 78.7%, but against a team like New Jersey with a lethal power play, that’s a dangerous combination.

Goaltending hasn’t been what we’d call elite either. Ilya Sorokin is sitting on a 3.00 GAA and a sub-.900 SV% at .893, while backup David Rittich is even shakier at 3.41 GAA. If the Islanders don’t protect their net a bit better, they’ll be chasing this game early.

The Devils, sitting at 11-4, are on a roll. They’ve gone 7-3 in their last 10 and average 3.2 GPG in that span. Jack Hughes has been the indisputable engine, racking up 10 goals and 8 assists through 15 games. He’s been dynamic alongside Connor Brown, who has chipped in 5 goals in his last 10 as well. New Jersey’s top 6 is simply loaded, and their second line could be a top line on most NHL rosters.

But what really sets the Devils apart is their special teams, where they rank 6th on the power play at 25.6% and 5th on the penalty kill at 87.5%. They’re also one of the least penalized teams in the league, as they average just 6.8 PIM per game. That means they’re winning the special teams battle night in and night out.

Defensively, they’ve only given up 44 goals, which is tied for the 11th fewest, and their goaltending has been quietly excellent. Jake Allen has emerged as the number one with a 2.29 GAA and a .914 SV%. He’s 6-2 in his last 8 starts and has been a steady presence behind a structured blue line.

Even when they don’t necessarily dominate on the scoreboard, the Devils find ways to control tempo. In wins over the Penguins and Canadiens, they locked things down defensively and made the most of their chances. And while they’ve had a few slip-ups, like their losses to the Ducks and Sharks on the road, they’ve been excellent at home and haven’t dropped consecutive games yet this season.

Prediction and Best Bet

This feels like a matchup where the better team handles business. The Islanders are undoubtedly scrappy, and Horvat has been hot, but their lack of scoring depth, struggles on special teams, and inconsistent goaltending all point to trouble against a polished Devils team.

New Jersey is better on both ends of the ice and definitely doesn’t beat itself. With a power play that can burn you and a penalty kill that can shut you down, they’re built to win these tight divisional games. Add in solid goaltending and home-ice advantage, and it’s tough to find a path for the Islanders to steal this one.

• Prediction: Devils 4, Islanders 2
• Best Bet: Devils moneyline at -165

This bet is without a doubt chalky, but it’s the safest play given how these two teams are trending since the start of the season. If you want more value, Devils -1.5 at +150 is worth a look, especially if they capitalize on the power play and sneak in an empty-netter in the final seconds.