The Ottawa Senators (42-27-10) and New York Islanders (43-31-5) meet in the NHL today. Puck drop is set for 1:00 p.m. EDT at UBS Arena in Belmont Park, N.Y. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
The Senators are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (+114o / -140u). The Senators are a -122 favorite to win outright, while the Islanders are +102 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Senators vs. Islanders predictions and NHL picks.
Senators vs. Islanders Odds, Pick
| Senators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +198 | 6.5 114o / -140u | -122 |
| Islanders Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -250 | 6.5 114o / -140u | +102 |
- Senators vs. Islanders Spread: Islanders +1.5 (-250), Senators -1.5 (+198)
- Senators vs. Islanders Over/Under: 6.5 (+114o / -140u)
- Senators vs. Islanders Moneyline: Senators -122, Islanders +102
Senators vs. Islanders Preview
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators have played some of the best defensive hockey in the NHL this season. Entering this matchup, Ottawa ranks first in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Backing that defense is goaltender Linus Ullmark, who is expected to start Saturday. Ullmark has found a rhythm playing behind this elite defense, winning each of his past three starts.
He has posted a .926 save percentage and a 2.00 goals-against average over that stretch. That success is likely to continue against the New York Islanders, a team Ullmark has beaten in six of the past eight meetings.
New York Islanders
New York’s offense is likely to continue struggling against Ottawa’s defense. This season, the Islanders rank 23rd in goals scored per game, driven by two main factors.
First, the team struggles to generate high-danger scoring chances. Entering this matchup, New York ranks in the bottom half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
Second, the Islanders have difficulty finishing, ranking 28th in shooting percentage and 29th in power-play percentage. However, New York remains competitive in most games because of goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who is expected to start.
Senators vs. Islanders Prediction
The Vezina Trophy race is shaping up as a two-man competition between Sorokin and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Through 53 appearances this season, Sorokin is 29-22-2 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.66 goals-against average.
He has been a key reason the Islanders remain in the playoff race despite their lack of offensive production.
Finally, there have been six or fewer total goals scored in four of the past five meetings between these teams.
Pick: Under 6.5 (-140, FanDuel | Play to -145)
