The New York Islanders started the season like a house on fire. They’ve apparently cooled off, however, and are now in search of a win to break their current dry spell. The Isles will get that chance when they travel to California to face a stern test in the Anaheim Ducks, currently regarded as the best team in the NHL.
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New York Islanders vs. Anaheim Ducks Betting Preview
The Islanders are finding it hard to sustain their hot start this season, going 2-5 in their last seven games after winning four straight to start their campaign. They have lost all of their previous three games, including a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the San Jose Sharks on November 1.
[sc:NHL240 ]The offense that carried the Islanders to their early success has hit a rough patch of late as the team managed to net just four goals over their last four games. The Islanders’ special teams in particular have been on some sort of slump, as evidenced by their woeful 2-for-17 on the power play over the last five contests. On the flipside, New York isn’t also doing well against opposing power plays with the team ranked 30th with a 64.7 penalty kill percentage.
So far, Jaroslav Halak hasn’t been the upgrade in front of the net general manager Garth Snow had in mind when he signed the Czech netminder during the offseason. The former St. Louis Blues goalie is 3-4 with a 3.44 GAA and a .891 SV% in seven games.
The Islanders need to cover up for their defensive ineptitude the same way they did when they were winning: by scoring a ton of goals. Brock Nelson and John Tavares lead the team with six and four goals, respectively. Kyle Okposo, meanwhile, has been among the bright spots on the team, scoring two goals and two assists in their last four outings.
The under is 4-0 in the Islanders’ last four road games.
Everyone’s playing well for the Ducks – even AHL call-ups like goalie Jason LaBarbera. LaBarbera had 16 saves on 18 shots faced, as Anaheim beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 Sunday to improve their league-best record to 10-3-0 (20 points).
LaBarbera could start again against the Islanders if neither Frederik Andersen (leg tightness) nor John Gibson (lower-body injury) is healthy enough to get back on the ice. If so, then LaBarbera will have a big responsibility of keeping the Islanders’ special teams at bay.
With Andersen and Gibson working in front of the net, the Ducks were able to become one of the most difficult teams to score on during power play opportunities. The Ducks are eighth in the league with an 86.0 PK%. LaBarbera, however, seemed up to the task, as Anaheim was able to stuff all of the Avs’ three chances on the man advantage. The Ducks have now successfully defended all of their opponents’ 19 power play attempts over the last four games.
Leading the attack for the Ducks are 2011 Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry, Matt Beleskey, Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler, who have 22 goals between them. Perry is off to a fantastic start this season scoring 11 goals in the team’s first 13 games.
