Pinnacle -½ +231 BET365 -½ +280 SportsInteraction N/A 5DIMES -½ +215 Bookmaker -½ +218

Posted at 1:30 PM EST.

New Jersey -½ +280 over N.Y. ISLANDERS

7:05 PM EST. Regulation only. Some teams have played three games, some four and some five but we’re starting to get a feel for who’s who in this unusual year. As for the Islanders, well, nothing has changed under Barry Trotz’s system. You know, the system that tries to make up for a lack of talent by trying to frustrate the opposition into oblivion and then burying pucks at opportune times. We have no idea how many games the Islanders will win or lose but they’re great fade material when we get a price like this on them to lose in regulation. It’s hard to see the upside for this team being any higher than the fortunate run to the Conference Finals they just enjoyed, and even that sounds like an extremely high bar to hold them to, but one thing is certain is that there is great value in betting against them. The Islanders rank third last in the league in puck possession time in the offensive end during five-on-five play. In three games, the Islanders have scored five times.

The Devils have played three games and have picked up five out of a possible six points after playing the Bruins twice and the Rangers once. The Devils were absolutely under siege against the Rags last game out but MacKenzie Blackwood was brilliant again. Dude is quickly being recognized as one of the best and most reliable goaltenders in the game but it’s not just him. Jack Hughes, the disappointing first-overall pick in 2019 has burst back into the limelight with an outstanding three matches. Hughes is tied for the league lead in points and is averaging 20 minutes a night. This rivalry is almost always a 50/50 proposition. A weak Devils team beat the Isles twice last year in four tries. This year, the Devils have some bounce, great goaltending, a little more confidence and certainly a lot more swag.

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