We’ve got a bit of a role reversal here: the New York Islanders are getting healthy and on a bit of a roll while their Metropolitan rivals, the Washington Capitals, are losing amidst absences. With these latest news, stats, and injury reports on hand, New York is the slight favorite on the NHL betting lines. Which streak gets snapped here?
Washington Capitals (20-8-9) vs New York Islanders (11-12-6)
Islanders Slowly Getting Back Into It
The Islanders have played the fewest games in the NHL but that’s alright. New York is almost back to full strength and at the right time as it’s not too late to make a run for a wild card spot, where New York sits two spots away going by point percentage (48.3%).
Playing for the first time in 12 days, the Islanders won a third straight game for the first time. Thanks to postponements, the Islanders have played three games since December 19. But now their injury list is down to two names in Sebastian Aho and Ryan Pulock.
Signed, sealed, delivered. ✉️
Mat Barzal (@Barzal_97) now has 14 points in his last nine games! pic.twitter.com/8eFeCn0L9l
— NHL (@NHL) January 14, 2022
A big reason for the Islanders’ resurgence is star player Matthew Barzal. Though snubbed (for now) from the All-Star Game, Barzal is on a nine-game point streak with 14 points. The “Isles” have gotten a point in 12 of the 16 games he’s had a point. With Barzal playing on fire, the Islanders are worth betting online.
Capitals Struggling With Injuries
The Capitals are feeling what the Islanders have gone through: losses and injuries. Washington is in the midst of a season-worst four-game slide with two of these being blowouts like a 5-1 loss against St. Louis.
But a little bit of good news for Washington as team captain and leading scorer Alex Ovechkin is listed as “probable” for this game. It will still be without the likes of Nicklas Backstrom, Carl Hagelin, and lead goaltender Vitek Vanecek just to name a few.
Even with their struggles, Washington remains one of the best NHL teams on the online sportsbook. The “Caps” are also 10-4-4 on the road and 11-7 on the puck line.
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders Head to Head
| Washington | Stat | New York |
| 7-3-0 | Record | 3-6-1 |
| 3-6-1 | Over/Under | 3-6-1 |
| 2.70 | Average Score | 2.40 |
| 28% | Power Play % | 18.5% |
| 81.5% | Penalty Kill % | 72% |
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders Game Information
Date: January 15, 2022
Time: 2 p.m. ET
Location: UBS Arena
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders Live Stream: NHL Live
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders Betting Lines
| Washington | New York | |
| +105 | Moneyline | -125 |
| +1½ (-215) | Puck Line | -1½ (+195) |
| 5½ (-110o) | Total | 5½ (-110u) |
Washington Capitals vs New York Islanders Prediction
This will be the first meeting between Washington and New York though if last season was any indication – Washington went 6-2-0 against the Isles – the Capitals have a good chance at an upset here. Washington may only be 3-6 as an underdog this season, but New York is also just 3-8 in their last 11 home games against it.
Zach Fucale has been solid for the Capitals. In his three road appearances, he’s stopped 49 of the 50 shots he faced while Ilya Sorokin has struggled in his two career games against Washington: 88.9% save percentage with 3.56 goals-against average. Book the upset.
Pick: Washington Capitals +105
Despite Barzal’s best efforts, the Islanders remain an offensively limited team. That’s why nine of their 13 home games have gone under as well as six of their last nine against Washington. Add some hot goaltending and we have another low-scoring result.
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