NHL: New York Islanders vs Detroit Red Wings Betting Preview
Is the Over Too Obvious?
The New York Islanders (24-14-14, 62 points) end their short 2-game road trip with a stop in Detroit to face the Red Wings (33-20-6, 74 points). New York is seven points behind the Tampa Bay Lightning for the last wild card spot and seven points behind the Philadelphia Flyers for the third spot in the Metro Division.
Detroit is holding on to the top wild-card spot but are just two points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for third in the Atlantic Division. NHL odds show the Red Wings as a -135 favorite with a total of 6 (under -115). Puck is scheduled to drop at 7:00 p.m. ET / 4:00 p.m. PT and can be seen on Bally’s Sports Detroit and MSGSN.
Let’s start our Islanders vs Red Wings betting preview by taking a deeper dive from a wagering perspective.
Islanders vs Red Wings 
Day/Time:
Location: Little Caesars Arena, Midtown Detroit
Streaming: Bally’s Sports Detroit / MSGSN
New York Needs To Pile Up Regulation Wins
It’s great to get points in a loss, but only the Boston Bruins have as many overtime losses (14) as the New York Islanders, and they have more than their share of regulation wins (34). At this point, New York will not be included in the 2024 NHL playoff schedule with 24 games left to play.
Not only does Patrick Roy’s team have to jump four teams to earn a wild card spot, but they’re going to be hurt by just 24 regulation wins, which is the first playoff tie-breaker. New York is 11th in points, but 14th in regulation wins. There’s good and bad news coming up.
The bad news is that they play the 14th most difficult schedule, and the good news is that they play the 14th most challenging schedule because to catch teams ahead of you, the schedule must allow Roy’s team to play them.
The Islanders have three games remaining against the New York Rangers and two against the Detroit Red Wings. Their remaining opponents have a win percentage of .554. As optimistic as New York fans want to be, bettors have very little faith in the Islanders after losing 10.38 units, the third-worst production in the NHL (Chicago -16.73, Arizona -10.95).
As an underdog, New York is 12-18 (-2.64 units) and 8-11 (-0.28 units) as a road dog. The Islanders have been most effective against the Atlantic Division, the only division where they are plus money (8-8, +0.17 units).
Wings On The Verge Of Breaking Playoff Drought
Not since 2016 have we seen the Detroit Red Wings in the postseason, but this does not appear to be a team that is going away as they hope to extend their 6-game win streak. This is the time when we talk endlessly about team depth, which is essential to playoff success.
Detroit is showing that they can rely on scoring from the top line to their blue-liners. The Wings will finish the season with two 30-goal scorers on the top line, with Alex Debrincat (23 goals, 30 assists, 53 points) and Dylan Larking (26 goals, 27 assists, 53 points). They skate with Patrick Kane in their top three.
Defensemen Jake Walman (11 G, 9 A, 20 points) and veteran Shayne Gostisbehere (9 G, 29 assists, 38 points). We think Detroit would like to add another scorer to make their second line more lethal, but when they play teams like the Islanders, they start the handicapping process with a statistical edge.
The Wings have been far more kind to the betting public, with 8.10 units won (2nd in the NHL). Derek LaLonde’s team is 14-6 (+3.54 units) as a favorite and 8-6 (-0.33 units) as a home favorite. We conclude our Islanders vs Red Wings betting preview with our top hockey betting tip.
Against Early Money
Now that we’re getting some early betting numbers in, it appears the public will be on New York and the over. This may change when goaltenders are made official, but so far, that’s what we have to work with.
This is one of those spots where both teams come in cashing overs, and the total is a manageable six instead of 6.5. This tells us that the even money, under wager, is the side here. All the best with your wagers tonight.
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