The New York Islanders (19-15-11) finally head back home after a horrible 4-game road trip where they lost all 4 games. They have dropped to the 6th spot in the Atlantic Division. Tonight, they will host the Dallas Stars in their 1st matchup of the year and the Islanders have some new faces.
After their 4-3 overtime loss to the Blackhawks, Isles GM Lou Lamoriello fired head coach Lane Lambert. He has been replaced with Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy. The firing was expected, but the replacement is shocking.
Roy will look to shake things up with the team currently being 2-6-2 in their last 10 games. This is his 2nd coaching stint in the NHL. He coached the Colorado Avalanche from 2014-16 earning a Jack Adams Award in the 2014 season.
This could be what the Islanders need to turn this skid and season around. It was time to move on from Lambert and a get a new sheriff in town. Roy was coaching in the QMJHL for the Quebec Ramparts for the last 5 years.
Hopefully he brings some defense to the team and a consistent play. The Islanders have been very streaky this season and need to find a stable ground to build on. They are better at home with a 11-5-6 record and they’ll take what they can get in their favor entering this game.
Ilya Sorokin will be in net tonight for New York. He has handled the workload with Semyon Varlamov on the IR. Sorokin has a 13-11-9 record this season with a 3.20 GAA and a .909 save percentage. He will hope to get some defensive help as the Islanders bleed shots.
Dallas has been a solid team this year, sitting in the 3rd spot of the Central Division. Coming off a 6-2 win vs the Devils last night, the Stars are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. They are a solid road team with a 13-5-3 record.
The Stars are a strong offensive team. They rank 3rd in goals forced per game (3.67) and 2nd in the league for shooting percentage (12.2%). Dallas doesn’t put that many pucks on next per game, but when they shoot – they make it count.
On defense, the Stars hold their own as well. They rank middle of the league for goals allowed (3.02) and shots on goal per game (30.3). Penalties is a strong point for this defense as they rank 3rd in penalty kill (84.9) and commit the 2nd least number of penalties (7.4) per game.
Goalie Jake Oettinger is expected in net tonight for the Stars. He is an Islanders killer having a 3-0-1 record vs them with a 2.25 GAA and a .919 save percentage. Oetty has battled an injury this year, but still has a sub 3 QAA with a .904 save percentage.
New coach vs a goalie with a good record vs his team. Let’s check out the odds and see where this goes.
Betting Odds
Puck Line
- Dallas Stars -1.5 (+202)
- New York Islanders +1.5 (-250)
Moneyline
- Dallas Stars -114
- New York Islanders -105
Totals
- Over 6.5 (+110)
- Under 6.5 (-134)
Odds courtesy of MyBookie
Game Information
- Venue: USB Arena, Elmont, NY
- Date: Sunday, January 21, 2024
- Puck Drop: 10:30pm EST
- TV: MSGN, BSSW
Dallas Stars vs New York Islanders Prediction and Picks
Prediction and Pick: New York Islanders Moneyline (-105) MyBookie
Call me a homer, call me whatever you want. It is the New York Islanders tonight! They are being disrespected by the books with this line at home.
I like that the line doesn’t take into account a new coach and that’s huge. Lambert was very quiet and didn’t speak out much, but I think we see the complete opposite with Roy. It was already reported he was in the morning skate and directing traffic.
The Islanders also really need to bounce back, and this is a good spot to do it. They are playing a high caliber, good hockey team, but they need this one. New York is more comfortable at home as well which should help them.
It’s going to be a close game, definitely like the under 6.5 as well, but I see the Isles pushing through for a huge W. The line on the sportsbooks shows you they have a chance. Mix in the new changes and we could see a new team tonight, which is what I think happens.
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