Islanders vs Avalanche Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Running Into Brick Walls

The Colorado Avalanche host the New York Islanders on Monday evening. These two teams squared off earlier this season, with the Islanders grabbing a 5-4 win in Long Island.

Will this game feature another high-scoring affair, or can the goaltending step up this time around? Find out in our free NHL picks and predictions for Islanders vs Avalanche on Monday, December 19.

Islanders vs Avalanche best odds

Islanders vs Avalanche picks and predictions

This contest features two excellent goaltenders who should keep this game Under the total. Let's start with Ilya Sorokin, who is slated to take the crease for New York .

A likely Vezina Trophy candidate this season, Sorokin boasts a .921 SV% and 2.49 GAA through 22 appearances between the pipes. Based on his metrics, regression is unlikely as Sorokin ranks sixth among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60) at 5-on-5.

Across the ice, goaltender Alexandar Georgiev has been tremendous for the Avs since getting shipped over from the Rangers in the offseason, posting a 12-6-2 record with a .920 SV% and 2.59 GAA.

Like Sorokin, Georgiev’s metrics suggest that regression is unlikely. Among starting goaltenders, he ranks 12th in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5.

This excellent play should continue against the Islanders, a team Georgiev has dominated throughout his career. Through 12 career starts against New York, he is 8-4 with a .931 SV% and 2.14 GAA.

In front of Georgiev is one of the best blue lines in the league. At 5-on-5, the Avs rank fifth in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

However, Georgiev may not get a ton of goal support as Colorado continues to try to overcome the number of injuries that have plagued the team since the beginning of the season. While they are slowly seeing the return of multiple players, the Avs are still going to miss Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, and Bowen Byram tonight.

That represents a ton of scoring options missing from the ice. At 5-on-5, Colorado ranks just 23rd in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).

A lot of the Avs’ scoring has come from special teams while they deal with these injuries, which is not a good recipe for success against an Islanders team that ranks eighth in the league in penalty kill percentage. Fortunately for Colorado, the Islanders offense is not much better as they rank just 22nd in the league in xGA/60 at 5-on-5.

This contest features two tremendous goaltenders and two struggling offenses, making the Under a strong play with the total sitting at 5.5. 

My best bet: Under 5.5 (-105 at DraftKings)

Islanders vs Avalanche moneyline analysis

I would lean toward the Avalanche moneyline, although not at their price. As of Monday morning, Colorado is laying around sixty cents of juice on the moneyline, which is a little too rich considering they are going against one of the best goaltenders on the planet in Sorokin.

Sorokin can steal a game on any given night, regardless of the opponent. That being said, the Avs are the team I would back if I had to pick a side.

They boast better defense, and a deeper offense, and Georgiev should be able to basically keep up with Sorokin. Add in home ice, and Colorado should take care of business, but 60 cents of juice is a tad too much against Sorokin.

Islanders vs Avalanche Over/Under analysis

The total sits at 5.5 across the board after hovering around 6.0 Sunday night. Despite Sorokin being expected to start between the pipes, the Islanders tend to leave him high and dry almost every night.

At 5-on-5, New York ranks fifth-to-last xGA/60. Since Sorokin is one of the best goaltenders on the planet, he is typically able to bail out a weak defense.

But that is the reason why I would not play this total any lower than this, just in case this defense leaves Sorokin in a bad spot one-too-many times.

Islanders vs Avalanche betting trend to know

Ther have been six or fewer goals in 14 of Colorado's last 17 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs Avalanche.

Islanders vs Avalanche game info

Islanders vs Avalanche key injuries

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