Thursday night in the NHL brings a packed slate of 11 games, including an Eastern Conference showdown between the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators. What a start it has been for Ottawa, sporting a 5-2-0 record and tied for the Atlantic Division lead. Can the Sens keep it up against the Islanders (3-3-0)? Here is our expert Islanders vs Senators prediction.
Both units have done quite well so far this season, and will show up well-prepared to a game that either could win. A trait that both have shown thus far is modest offense. Both rank within the middle of the league, averaging with Ottawa averaging 2.86 goals per game and New York averaging 3.17. They each rank in the bottom half of the league in shots, and neither has an elite power play, with New York’s at 21.1% and Ottawa’s at 15.2.%. They are both well within the top 10 in goals against per game and save percentage, led by Linus Ullmark and Ilya Sorokin, who are projected to start this one. This will be a gritty contest between two teams that are determined to outperform their middling expectations, giving us an underrated battle on this night. For our Islanders vs Senators prediction, let's go with Under 5.5.
Islanders vs Senators prediction: Under 5.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that total to -120.
