Dean Etheridge
The Devils take on the Islanders at the Prudential Center on Friday evening, and here we look ahead to the clash in our latest free NHL betting picks.
- Competition; NHL
- Match; New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders
- Where; Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey
- When; Friday, December 9th, 2022
- Puck Drop; 7 pm ET
The Devils are currently running away with the Metropolitan Division and will be looking for their third win in a row when they take on Lane Lambert’s side.
As for the Islanders, after a promising start to the season, they are now in the chasing pack of teams desperately trying to cling to the coattails of the New Jersey outfit. Tonight’s match gives them a great opportunity to gain back some of the ground they’ve lost over the past few weeks.
In the betting to win the 2023 Stanley Cup, the Devils are +1000 with the best NHL betting sites, that puts them fourth in the betting, behind the new favorites, the Bruins (+500), the Avalanche (+650), and the Golden Knights (+900). As for the Islanders, they are +3300 betting outsiders.
In conference betting, the Devils are +450 second favorites to win the Eastern Conference. The runaway train that is the Boston Bruins are the +260 frontrunners in the betting for this market. The Islanders are +1600.
Finally, in the betting to win the Metropolitan Division, the Devils are -200, almost a certainty at this early stage. Second in the betting is the Hurricanes at +350, and then it’s the Penguins at +700. The Islanders are a distant fourth at +1300.
| 2023 Stanley Cup Winner Betting |  |  |  |
| Boston Bruins | +500 | +475 | +500 |
| Colorado Avalanche | +650 | +600 | +600 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +900 | +800 | +800 |
| New Jersey Devils | +1000 | +1000 | +1000 |
| Carolina Hurricanes | +1400 | +1400 | +1300 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | +1400 | +1300 | +1200 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | +1600 | +1400 | +1400 |
| Florida Panthers | +1800 | +1800 | +1700 |
| Calgary Flames | +2000 | +2000 | +2000 |
| New York Rangers | +2200 | +1900 | +2000 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +2200 | +2000 | +2000 |
| Dallas Stars | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
| Winnipeg Jets | +2500 | +2500 | +2500 |
The above odds are taken from BetOnline. For more information from this bookmaker, please take a moment to read our BetOnline sportsbook review, where you will find even more great betting information and advice.
Devils vs Islanders Form Guide
The Devils come into this match on a winning streak of two.
Shutout victory
Game Story: https://t.co/uHkNfRvIeT pic.twitter.com/rBZOhzgYQc
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) December 7, 2022
On Tuesday they defeated the Blackhawks 3-0 at the Prudential Center, and last weekend they won 3-2 away at the Flyers. Before that they were defeated 4-3 at home to the Predators last week, overtime was needed here to split the two sides.
In their last ten matches, the Devils’ form is 8-1-1, but their good form goes far deeper than their last ten matches. Including three overtime wins, the Devils have won 18 of their last 20 matches. Quite an incredible run of form.
Overall this season, the Devils are 21-4-1, and this has seen them open up a lead of nine points over the Carolina Hurricanes, who sit in second place.
As for the Islanders, they are 5-5-0 in their last ten outings. Their most recent showing was a 7-4 home defeat to the Blues on Tuesday night. Overall this season, the Islanders are 16-11-0, and that’s too many defeats to be challenging for anything at this early stage.
Earlier in the season, Lambert’s team went on a winning streak of five at the back of October, into early November. Then at the end of November, they also had a run of four wins in a row, with victories over the Maple Leafs, Oilers, Blue Jackets, and Flyers. The team seems to blow hot and cold, and at the moment, it appears to be a bit on the cold side.
Devils are the favorites to keep winning streak going
It’s no surprise to see the home team are the favorites with best NHL hockey betting sites to win this matchup, but they’re not huge favorites. On the moneyline, the Devils are -192, with the Islanders at +173. The Devils look decent value at that price to me.
Moving onto the moneyline, and the Islanders are getting the +1.5 points start, and with that, they are -157. Starting from a deficit of 1.5 points, the Devils are +137. Could this be the bet?
Finally, the total points market. Here the marker is set at 6. If you think there will be plenty of goals, over 6 is +105, whilst for a quieter game, under 6 goals is -116.
Devils vs Islanders Betting Picks
For my main pick, I’m thinking that the Devils are just playing too well at the moment. I believe they will win and it’s just a question of moneyline or handicap line? When a team is in such good form, why not try to cash in?
So for that reason, I’m going to put my faith in the Devils and back them to win on the handicap at +137 for my first pick.
In the total points market, it looks to be a question of how many can the Islanders score? If they can get a couple of goals, then overs come into play, as it’s fairly clear to me that the Devils will be featuring heavily on the scoresheet.
As this is a local rivalry, I’m expecting it to be a feisty affair, and hopefully that will lead to a good open match with plenty of chances. So at odds of +105 I’m going for over 6 as my betting pick.
