The New York Islanders tied up their second round playoff series against the Boston Bruins and head back to TD Garden on Monday night.
With the best-of-seven series knotted at two games apiece, NHL betting lines have the Bruins installed as -186 home favorites for this pivotal Game 5 matchup.
Here are our best free Islanders vs. Bruins picks and predictions for Stanley Cup playoff action on Monday, June 7, with the puck dropping at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Islanders vs Bruins game info
• Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
• Date: Monday, June 7, 2021
• Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet 1, NBCSN
Islanders vs Bruins odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
NHL Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonBoston went up as a healthy -180 favorite Sunday morning, dipped to -176, rose to -196 and is at -188 as of 4:15 p.m. ET today. The Bruins are attracting 78 percent of moneyline tickets and 84 percent of moneyline cash. The total moved from 5 (Over -142) to 5.5 (Under -170), with ticket count almost dead even and 58 percent of money on the Over.
Check out the full line movement for this gameIslanders vs Bruins series odds
Islanders: +180
Bruins: -220
Islanders vs Bruins betting preview
Injuries
Islanders: Oliver Wahlstrom RW (Out), Anders Lee LW (Out).
Bruins: Brandon Carlo D (Questionable), Kevan Miller D (Out), Brandon Carlo D (Out), Ondrej Kase RW (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
Under is 24-9-2 in Islanders last 35 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Islanders vs. Bruins.
Moneyline pick
The Islanders took Game 4 in impressive fashion, scoring four unanswered goals after Boston opened the first period with an early powerplay marker.
The Islanders were one of the top defensive teams in the NHL during the regular season, allowing the second-fewest goals per game (2.23) and the third-fewest high danger chances per 60 minutes (8.9).
While the Isles have gotten sensational play from goalie Semyon Varlamov ever since he took back his starting gig from rookie Ilya Sorokin in Game 2, their defense has floundered. Varlamov has turned aside 106 of 112 shots over the last three games, but being peppered by more than 40 shots in back-to-back contests in Games 2 and 3 is a bad sign.
During this series, New York has surrendered at least 38 scoring chances and 12 high-danger chances in three of four contests. With Boston controlling possession, Varlamov has been forced to stand on his head and that's not sustainable for long-term success, especially with an Islanders offense that sputtered on the road during the regular season, averaging 2.00 goals per game.
The Bruins are loaded with playoff experience and have played very well on both ends of the ice during the postseason. The B's are first in the league in expected goals scored per 60 minutes in 5v5 hockey, while ranking second in both goals allowed and high-danger chances allowed per 60 minutes.
Expect the Bruins' offensive pressure to overwhelm the Isles on Monday and back Boston on the moneyline.
PREDICTION: ML Bruins (-185)
Over/Under pick
These teams have gone below the total just once during this series, a 2-1 overtime thriller in Game 3. But there's plenty of reason to like the Under 5 tonight.
Varlamov has been absolutely stellar this season and was unlucky not to be a finalist for the Vezina Trophy. The Russian went 19-11-4 with a 2.04 GAA and a .929 save percentage during the regular season and he helped steal Game 2 in Boston before keeping the Isles in Game 3 with another fantastic performance.
The Bruins have a terrific netminder of their own in Tuukka Rask. The 2014 Vezina Trophy winner has allowed two goals or fewer in six of his last seven games, posting a 1.68 GAA with a .941 save percentage over that span.
Rask had another strong season in 2021 and always seems to raise his play during the playoffs, boasting a career 2.18 GAA with a save percentage of .927 in 102 postseason contests.
While both the Bruins and Islanders have seen their offense improve during the playoffs they both struggled to score at times during the regular season.
With the Isles 24-9-2 to the Under in their last 35 games on the road expect a defensive battle in this crucial Game 5 matchup and take the Under.
PREDICTION: Under 5 (+104)
Islanders vs Bruins betting card
- ML Bruins (-185)
- Under 5 (+104)
Picks made on 6/7/2021 at 9 a.m. ET
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