Boston Bruins (18-5-3) vs. New York Islanders (13-7-7)
Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders 12/15/23 – In an exciting regular-season NHL matchup, the Boston Bruins, with an impressive 18-5-3 record, face the New York Islanders, holding a respectable 13-7-7 record, on Friday, December 15, 2023. This game, set to take place at the UBS Arena at 7:30 PM ET and aired on ESPN+, promises to be a thrilling encounter. Fans and bettors alike looking for free NHL matchup analysis will find this game particularly interesting given the contrasting strengths and recent forms of both teams.
The Boston Bruins boast one of the most dynamic lines in hockey led by the lethal combination of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Charlie Coyle. Pastrnak leads the league with 16 goals while Marchand has chipped in 12. Their speed and skill should challenge an Islanders defense that has had issues limiting high danger chances. However, the Isles do have last year’s winner in net, Ilya Sorokin. If he’s on his game, Sorokin has the ability to steal a game single-handedly.
On the flip side, the New York Islanders counter with a balanced scoring attack featuring center Mathew Barzal. Barzal leads the team with 9 goals and 20 assists. Veteran Bo Horvat was brought in this offseason to bolster the offense and has delivered 10 goals. Putting pucks past Linus Ullmark will be no small task though as the Bruins netminder has been playing tremendous hockey all year. Ullmark ranks top five in both save percentage and goals against average. Still, an opportunistic Islanders squad that converts on the power play at a 25% clip could breakthrough.
Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders Game Info
| When: | Friday, December 15, 2023 at 7:30 PM ET |
| Where: | UBS Arena |
| TV: | ESPN+ |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Linus Ullmark vs. Goaltender Ilya Sorokin
Linus Ullmark has asserting himself as one of the premier goaltenders in the NHL this season. In 14 games played, Ullmark boasts sterling numbers with a 2.71 GAA and .917 save percentage. Ullmark uses his height and precise positioning to take away shooting lanes. An aggressive Islanders offense that likes to funnel pucks towards the net could lead to prime rebound opportunities if Ullmark has an off night though.
Ilya Sorokin holds down the crease for the Islanders. Sorokin pairs lightning quick reflexes with an instinctual ability to track the puck through traffic. If he gets hot, Sorokin is capable of blanking even the most skilled attacks. The only knock on the Russian netminder is consistency as evidenced by his middling 3.11 GAA. Sorokin will need to fend off a Bruins squad that comes in averaging the third most goals per game this year.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds for this game will be intriguing, considering the Bruins’ superior record but the Islanders’ formidable home performance. Bettors should watch for the evolving odds, considering home advantage and the recent form of both teams.
Boston Bruins Betting Trends
The Bruins have been a profitable team for bettors this season, covering in 15 of their 26 games. Boston plays an uptempo, high event style that lends itself to beating the number on totals. That checks out as overs have hit in 8 of their last 13 contests. On the road, the B’s check in 7-6 ATS. Lastly, Boston has performed well as narrow chalk, compiling a 12-7 ATS as slight favorites.
New York Islanders Betting Trends
Despite their pedestrian record, the Islanders have made bettors money this year with a 15-11 ATS mark. New York has been especially lucrative on home ice going 9-3 ATS at UBS arena. The Islanders slowed down game limits goals, but they’ve seen overs hit in 7 of their past 15 as their offense has picked up. Notably, New York has thrived as underdogs with a 13-7 ATS record getting points. If these trends continue, the Islanders look like the savvy play catching nearly 2 goals tonight.
Boston Bruins vs. New York Islanders 12/15/23 Betting Picks
Considering the statistical analysis and recent trends, this game is poised to be a closely contested affair. The Bruins’ strong offense is likely to be a significant factor, but the Islanders’ home advantage and their own offensive capabilities should not be underestimated.
In picking a team, the Bruins’ offensive strength and Ullmark’s goaltending form might give them a slight edge. However, the Islanders’ solid performance at home and Sorokin’s goaltending abilities could level the playing field. Prop bets on key players and a close over/under should be considered.
Expert premium picks would likely favor the Bruins, given their overall season performance, but the Islanders’ potential for an upset, especially at home, makes this matchup particularly intriguing.
Free Pick and Prediction: Boston Bruins 3, New York Islanders 2