The New York Islanders (+110), the NHL’s top penalty killing team, welcome the Colorado Avalanche (-130) and their opportunistic power play offense at UBS Arena on Saturday. The total is 6 (O: -115, U: -105)Both teams will be playing on back-to-back days.
The Avalanche are 1-1 without a day off, while the Islanders are 0-1. Colorado (4-3-1) is coming off a 1-0 loss against the Devils yesterday. The Avalanche conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own power play opportunities.
Pavel Francouz saved an impressive 22 of 23 shots (.956%) in the loss. New York (4-4-0) beat the Hurricanes 6-2 yesterday. Brock Nelson scored twice to lead the Islanders. Ilya Sorokin was impressive in the win, making 33 saves (.942%).
HEAD TO HEAD
The Avalanche won both games between the teams last season, including a 5-4 victory in their final meeting in March, their third straight win against New York. Cale Makar (2G 1A) and Nathan MacKinnon (1G 2A) each had three points to lead Colorado. Anders Lee led New York with three points (2G 1A). Francouz got the win despite saving only 32 of 36 shots (.888%).
FACING OFF
Colorado is averaging 3.00 goals per game so far this season, 20th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Islanders team that is allowing just 2.50 goals a game (5th). Meanwhile, New York has found the net 3.50 times a game on average, ninth in the league, and the Avalanche are allowing opponents to score 2.75 goals per game (7th).
The Avalanche’s No. 1-ranked power play offense (38.46%) will face a tough test against the Islanders, who are the league’s best penalty killing team (100.00%). New York, meanwhile, has scored on 12.00% of their power play opportunities (27th), which the home team will be looking to improve on against Colorado’s 29th-ranked 66.67% penalty killing rate.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 12 points this season, fifth-most in the NHL, Valeri Nichushkin is the top skater for the Avalanche. He is among the league leaders with seven goals (2nd) and has added five assists. In the net, Alexandar Georgiev (4-0-1) is Colorado’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.56 GAA and a .921% save percentage.
Mathew Barzal leads the Islanders in scoring with nine points. He has zero goal and nine assists (4th) in eight games. Sorokin (3-3-0) has the best goals against average for New York at 2.21. He has a save percentage of .933%.
HOME AND AWAY
Colorado is 3-2-0 on the road this season. New York is 3-2-0 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Colorado Avalanche (-130)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
