The floundering Chicago Blackhawks (4-3-2) welcome the New York Islanders (5-4-0), who will be looking to build on their winning streak, at United Center on Tuesday. New York is embarking on a four-game road trip coming off a high-scoring 5-4 win over the Avalanche on Saturday, their third consecutive win.
The Islanders committed only two penalties in the game, yet still conceded a power play goal. Five players found the net for the Islanders. Semyon Varlamov saved only 33 of 37 shots (.891%) in the win.
Chicago dropped their third straight game, falling 4-3 (SO) to the Wild on Sunday. Jonathan Toews, Andreas Athanasiou, and Jake McCabe scored one apiece for the Blackhawks. Jarred Tinordi had two assists to lead the team in scoring. Alex Stalock had 32 saves in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-2 (SO) victory for the Blackhawks in December. Dylan Strome and Brandon Hagel were on the scoresheet for Chicago. Mathew Barzal led New York with two points (0G 2A). Marc-Andre Fleury got the win, saving 22 of 24 shots (.916%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 3.67 goals per game so far this season, fourth in the NHL, and they are taking on a Blackhawks team that is allowing 3.33 goals a game (23rd). Meanwhile, Chicago has found the net 3.44 times a game on average, eighth in the league, and the Islanders are allowing opponents to score 2.67 goals per game (6th).
Chicago averages fewer shots a game (26.1) than any other team in the league, though the team’s 13.2% shooting percentage is first. New York has been up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 5 with a team save percentage of .925%.
Don’t be surprised to see multiple power play opportunities for the Islanders, as the Blackhawks have been penalized 5.44 times a game, second-most in the NHL, for an average of 14.00 minutes (first-highest).
The visitors are averaging 3.67 penalties (26th) and 7.33 penalty minutes a game (27th).The Islanders’ 10.71% power play percentage is the fifth-lowest in the league, while the Blackhawks rank sixth with a conversion rate of 27.59%.
While inefficient on the power play, New York has been adept at penalty killing, boasting the league’s highest PK% at 96.67%. Chicago ranks 26th at 74.36%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 10 points this season, Barzal is the top skater for the Islanders. He is among the league leaders with 10 assists (4th) and has added zero goal of his own. In the net, Ilya Sorokin (3-3-0) is New York’s top goaltender by goals against average.
He has a 2.21 GAA and a .933% save percentage. Patrick Kane leads the Blackhawks in scoring with nine points. He has two goals and seven assists. Stalock (3-2-1) has the best goals against average for Chicago at 2.95. He has a save percentage of .914%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 1-2-0 on the road this season. Chicago is 3-1-1 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
NY Islanders (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
