Panthers vs. Islanders: NHL Best Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions (Friday)
We have a loaded 11-game slate of hockey on Friday with some great matchups. Here I give out my three best bets for Friday’s NHL slate. And here’s a closer look at Panthers vs. Islanders.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
NHL Best Bets Odds, Picks & Predictions: Panthers vs. Islanders
Florida Panthers (-135) @ New York Islanders (+115) | O/U 6.5 (-105/-115)
There is an Eastern Conference tilt with the Metropolitan Division’s New York Islanders hosting the Atlantic Division’s Florida Panthers. Florida enters this contest amidst a stretch of lower-scoring contests as there have been six or fewer total goals scored in eight of their last 11 games, a trend that is likely to continue with the goaltending matchup.
Despite entering this matchup on the second half of a back-to-back, goaltender Ilya Sorokin is likely to get the start in net once again for the Islanders due to the approaching holiday recess and the fact that backup netminder Semyon Varlamov is still battling a lower-body injury. A likely Vezina Trophy finalist this season, Sorokin boasts a .924 SV% and 2.44 GAA.
Based on his metrics, regression should not be an issue as he ranks second among starting goaltenders in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5. Across the ice, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is the confirmed starter for Florida.
After a brutal start to the campaign, Bobrovsky has recently started to return to form. Over his last four starts, he boasts a .935 SV% and 2.02 GAA, with the under cashing in all four of those outings.
This strong stretch of goaltending should continue against New York, a team Bobrovsky has dominated throughout his career. Over his last eight starts against the Islanders, he is 5-3 with an absurd .956 SV% and 1.26 GAA.
There have been six or fewer total goals scored in nine of the last 10 meetings between these two clubs, a trend that is likely to continue in this matchup.
Best of luck!
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