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The New York Islanders bounced back from a disappointing loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Friday night with an impressive win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday evening. That was their third straight road game, and their trip continues in Colorado against the Avalanche tonight. The defending Stanley Cup champions have been dealing with injuries, leading to their mediocre 4-5-1 record in their last 10 games.
These two teams both expect to be in the postseason, so let’s check out our experts’ Islanders vs. Avalanche NHL predictions with odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS. COLORADO AVALANCHE PREDICTION: Under 6 goals (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)
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Islanders vs. Avalanche NHL predictions for Monday, 12/19
The best way to describe the Islanders and Avalanche this season would be inconsistent. That’s been on display within News York’s last handful of games alone. They were shut out at home, then nearly beat the Boston Bruins, who are the best team in the Eastern Conference. Following that was a loss to a terrible Coyotes team, which led to defeating the Golden Knights in the next game, the best team in the Western Conference.
As for the Avs, two of the best skaters in all of hockey – Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog – remain off the ice. Those injuries have led to Colorado getting upset by a bad Philadelphia Flyers team and scoring three or fewer goals in each of their last five home games. With that in mind, our experts are staying away from picking a winner and instead our Islanders vs. Avalanche NHL predictions focus on game total (over/under).
Islanders vs. Avalanche puck line and picks
The Islanders’ +1.5 puck line carries -175 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook, while the Avalanche’s -1.5 puck line has +150 odds. However, this is not a matchup of teams with a significant talent gap, and therefore, we don’t expect a blowout for the Avs, nor does the price on New York’s puck line have value. Therefore, let’s break down our under six goals play for our Islanders vs. Avalanche NHL predictions.
This will be the Avs’ fourth straight home game, but that hasn’t been as intimidating for the opposition as last season. Although they won their most recent contest, it was a rather uneventful 3-1 victory. Prior to that was a loss to the Buffalo Sabres in which Colorado scored just two goals. In fact, nine of the Avs’ last 11 games have finished with six or fewer goals.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that Colorado is the second-most profitable team in terms of betting the under. Not only did they score just two goals against the Sabres, but their first two home games of the month were also 4-0 and 2-1 losses. That’s perfect news for an Islanders team that has relied on low-scoring wins for as long as goaltender Ilya Sorokin has been between the pipes.
New York allows 2.81 goals per game this season, exactly one spot above the Avs (2.76 goals per game). If you were to ask the Islanders, they would even be disappointed with their goaltending as of late. Sorokin is still within the top 10 in terms of save percentage among goalies with at least 10 games played.
The Islanders also just held the best team in the Western Conference, the Golden Knights, to just two goals in their most recent contest. Given that fact and the Avs injury issues, Islanders vs. Avalanche NHL predictions focus on the under six goals, which has -110 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook.
How to bet on Under 6 at BetMGM
You’re welcome to fade or follow any of our Islanders vs. Avalanche predictions, but be sure to register for a new account at BetMGM Sportsbook to do so. That’s where you can snag your NHL-specific welcome offer for all new members, where you can place a $10 bet and win 20 times your bet amount.
As long as either team scores a goal in the game you place your $10 bet on, BetMGM will credit you with $200 in free bets. There’s no need for your $10 bet to win, and although we expect this game to finish with five or fewer goals, it only takes one to win your $200 in free bets. There hasn’t been a 0-0 game all season, so don’t miss out and use this link to sign up at BetMGM today.
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Islanders vs. Avalanche odds available at BetMGM for Monday’s game
The under carries -110 odds at BetMGM Sportsbook, while the over has identical -110 odds. The Islanders’ money line is at +135 odds, while the Avalanche’s money line has -155 odds.
An $11 bet on the under would profit $10 as long as the game ends with five or fewer goals scored, and the same $11 bet on the over would return $10 of winnings if there are just seven or more goals scored. If the contest finishes with exactly six goals, both sides of the total are considered a push, and all wagers are refunded.
Remember, if a single goal is scored in the game, you could win $200 in free bets from BetMGM Sportsbook. Their promo allows all new customers to place a $10 bet on any NHL game, and if either team in that game scores a goal, you’ll win $200 in free bets.
Click here to register today and claim your welcome bonus in time to take advantage of our Islanders vs. Avalanche NHL predictions.
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I’m a journalist who specializes in investigative reporting and writing. I have written for the New York Times and other publications.