With just eight games remaining, the New York Islanders are running out of time to jump into one of the two wild-card spots in the NHL’s Eastern Conference playoffs.
After a crucial overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, the Islanders return home Tuesday night to face the Chicago Blackhawks.
Here’s a betting preview of the game and a pick:
Blackhawks vs. Islanders odds
Puckline: Blackhawks +1.5 (-126), Islanders -1.5 (+105)
Moneyline: Blackhawks +202, Islanders -250
Total: Over 5.5 (-122), Under 5.5 (+100)
Odds via FanDuel
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Blackhawks vs. Islanders prediction
The Isles (79 points) are three points behind the Washington Capitals for the final playoff spot in the East, while the Detroit Red Wings are also wedged in with 82 points.
The Blackhawks head to UBS Arena playing solid hockey of late. They’ve won three of the last four games and are coming off a dominating, 5-1 victory over the Flyers in Philadelphia on Saturday as hefty +260 underdogs.
That win marked only the seventh road victory in 37 tries this season for Chicago, which has not won consecutive games away from United Center in 2023-24.
New York rolled off six consecutive victories from late February through early March, but the Islanders are currently in a 3-7-1 slump in their last 11 games.
The Blackhawks stunned the Islanders in overtime, 4-3, on Jan. 19 as +230 home underdogs.
Seth Jones scored the game-winning goal for Chicago early in overtime as New York erased a 3-1 deficit to tie things up in the third period.
Blackhawks vs. Islanders pick
The Islanders have yet to win a game with no rest this season, losing in each of their first nine opportunities.
Considering Chicago has played well lately and New York can’t be relied on to win on back-to-back nights, let’s go with the Blackhawks here at plus money.
