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New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames Picks and Predictions – January 17, 2026
The New York Islanders head north to take on the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome in a cross-conference clash on Wednesday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 PM ET. Both clubs have been fighting for consistency all season, and while neither is comfortably in playoff position, they’re both still in the hunt — making this a quietly important matchup as we cross the midway point of the season.
The Islanders are slight -112 road favorites on the moneyline, with Calgary close behind at -107. The puck line sits at -1.5 (+222) for New York and +1.5 (-280) for the Flames. The total is 5.5 goals, with juice shaded toward the Over at -121, signaling some expectation of offensive breakthrough despite each team’s generally conservative style.
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New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames Odds
Below are the current odds for Islanders vs Flames. Always check for updates on market movement, injuries, and goalie confirmations using the latest NHL odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Islanders | -112 | -1.5 (+222) | O 5.5 (-121) |
| Calgary Flames | -107 | +1.5 (-280) | U 5.5 (-101) |
New York Islanders Betting Form
The Islanders remain one of the more defensively-minded teams in the league, though that hasn’t always translated to success this season. They’re 5-5 in their last 10 and have struggled to score consistently — even while Ilya Sorokin continues to deliver above-average goaltending.
At 5-on-5, New York plays a structured game. Their defensive zone coverage remains solid, but their lack of sustained offensive pressure continues to hurt them in tight matchups. Bo Horvat, Mathew Barzal, and Brock Nelson have been productive, but the team as a whole lacks secondary scoring. Their power play is middle-of-the-pack, and their penalty kill — while trending upward — still sits below league average.
The puck line at +222 won’t attract much unless you’re betting on a 3–1 or empty-net finish. In general, the Isles have leaned into one-goal games, which makes the moneyline a safer play if you’re backing them here. For lineup updates, check the New York Islanders injury report and track team trends at the Islanders team page.
Calgary Flames Betting Form
The Flames are still searching for identity. They’ve gone 4-6 over their last ten and continue to mix results from night to night. Jacob Markstrom has been solid in net lately, but he’s had to do a lot of heavy lifting behind a team that struggles to suppress chances and capitalize on their own.
Offensively, Calgary is bottom-third in goals per game and has leaned heavily on Elias Lindholm and Nazem Kadri to carry the load. Special teams have been average at best — the power play is slightly improved, but their PK continues to give up key goals in close contests.
That said, the Flames have been tougher at home. They’ve been in a number of tight games at the Saddledome, and their puck line record has benefited from low-event hockey. Still, the -280 price on +1.5 isn’t playable, and the moneyline at -107 offers the better route if you think they can squeak this one out. Be sure to monitor the Calgary Flames injury report and take a look at the Calgary Flames team stats before making a call.
New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames Matchup Breakdown
This game has all the makings of a grind. Both teams are below league average in scoring, lean heavily on their goaltenders, and play structured — if somewhat conservative — systems. If one team gets an early goal, it could shift the whole tone of the game, as neither has been good playing from behind.
Key angles:
- Both teams rank top 10 in shot suppression but bottom 10 in goals scored.
- Islanders have the goaltending edge, but Flames have been stronger at home.
- Calgary has gone Under in 7 of their last 10 games.
- Islanders are 4-2-2 in their last 8 road games, most of them low-event.
This isn’t a spot to expect fireworks. The matchup leans toward the team that makes fewer mistakes and wins the special teams battle — which is likely to be the only source of momentum shifts.
For more on reading low-event matchups and goalie-influenced totals, review our NHL betting guide.
NHL Lines Before the Puck Drops
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New York Islanders vs Calgary Flames Predictions and Best Bets
This line is essentially a coin flip — and that’s exactly how it feels. Both teams have similar profiles, but the Islanders get the edge in goaltending with Sorokin, and they’ve been more effective in closing out tight road games. That makes the -112 moneyline playable, albeit without much breathing room.
The puck line is a stretch unless you’re chasing a 3–1 win or a late empty-netter, and there’s no real value on Calgary’s +1.5 at that price. It’s all about picking a side — and the Islanders’ slightly better structure and goaltending give them the edge.
The total at 5.5 is shaded toward the Over, but that’s hard to justify unless both power plays find rhythm. The Under at -101 is more attractive given the styles and recent trends from both clubs.
Best Bet: Under 5.5 goals (-101)
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