Islanders vs. Flames: NHL Best Bets, Picks & Predictions (Friday)
We have a small six-game slate of hockey on Friday with some great matchups. Here are my three best bets for Friday’s NHL slate. And here’s a closer look at Islanders vs. Flames.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
NHL Best Bets, Picks & Predictions: Islanders vs. Flames
The Pacific Division’s Calgary Flames host the Metropolitan Division’s New York Islanders. Calgary has won by two or more goals in four of the last five meetings between these two teams, a trend that is likely to continue as the Islanders enter this contest on the second half of a back-to-back following last night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Since goaltender Ilya Sorokin started last night’s game for New York, backup netminder Semyon Varlamov is slated to get the nod against Calgary. Varlamov has not played since December 17 due to a lower body injury, which could result in some rust for an otherwise competent backup.
Over his last three starts against the Flames, Varlamov is 0-3 with a troubling .840 SV% and 4.48 GAA. In front of the Islanders’ netminder is a fade-worthy defense that is missing its best blue liner, Adam Pelech, due to a concussion.
At 5-on-5, New York ranks just 21st in the league in xGA/60. Meanwhile, the offense is not much better as the Islanders rank 20th in the league in xGF/60 at 5-on-5.
On the flip side, at 5-on-5, Calgary ranks ninth in the league in xGF/60 and eighth in xGA/60. Unlike Varlamov, goaltender Jacob Markstrom has had recent success against tonight’s opponent as he is 3-0-1 with a .913 SV% and 2.70 GAA over his last four starts against New York.
Best Bet: Flames -1.5 (+135)
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