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The New Jersey Devils host the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on Thursday night in a high-stakes Metropolitan Division showdown. This matchup serves as the final contest for both squads before the league halts for the Olympic break, making it a critical opportunity to bank points. New Jersey enters with a 28-26-2 record, currently sitting seventh in the division and reeling after losing four of their last five games. The pressure is mounting for a group that finds itself nine points behind the Islanders in the standings. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET with the Devils opening as narrow -112 home favorites.
New York arrives in Newark with a 31-21-5 record and the third spot in the Metro Division firmly in their grasp. They are coming off a gutsy 5-4 overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday where captain Bo Horvat proved his value once again. The Islanders have been the more consistent side lately, even if their 5-5-0 stretch since mid-January suggests some volatility. With the total set at a low 5.5, oddsmakers are expecting a tightly contested defensive battle as both teams look to head into the hiatus with a victory.
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New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders Odds
The current lines suggest a toss-up game with the Devils holding a very slight edge due to home-ice advantage. It is essential to monitor the latest NHL odds throughout the afternoon as news regarding goaltender starts and late-day injury updates can cause the New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders odds to shift.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
| New Jersey Devils | -112 | -1.5 (+216) | U 5.5 (-113) |
| New York Islanders | -108 | +1.5 (-271) | O 5.5 (-107) |
New Jersey Devils Betting Form
New Jersey is currently a team searching for an identity amidst a frustrating stretch of hockey. The Devils have struggled to find the back of the net recently, highlighted by a 3-0 shutout loss to Columbus in their last outing. Despite ranking eighth in the league in shots on goal, they have lacked the finishing touch necessary to turn that volume into wins. Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt continue to lead the way with 41 points apiece, but they need more support from the bottom six if New Jersey is going to make a serious push for a playoff spot. Check out the New Jersey Devils schedule and stats for more on their recent home trends.
The status of Jack Hughes is the massive question mark hanging over this game. Hughes has been out with a lower-body injury and while he is reportedly pushing to play before the break, the medical staff remains cautious. His absence leaves a massive void in the Devils’ transition game and power play. It is critical to check the New Jersey Devils injury report closer to puck drop to see if their star center gets the green light. Without him, the offensive burden falls almost entirely on the Hischier line, which makes New Jersey much easier for opponents to defend.
Jacob Markstrom is expected to be in the crease, and he will need to be sharp to keep New Jersey in the hunt. While the Devils have a decent power play that ranks 12th in the NHL, their even-strength defense has been inconsistent. They have often found themselves chasing games early, which has led to a disappointing straight-up record of 36.4% when entering as the betting favorite. For a team with so much preseason hype, the lack of urgency mentioned by players like Connor Brown suggests a locker room that knows it is running out of time.
New York Islanders Betting Form
The Islanders are playing with renewed confidence following the return of Bo Horvat to the lineup. Horvat, who missed significant time in January, has been a catalyst since his return, leading the team to a 4-3-0 record over the last seven games. His three-point performance against Pittsburgh showed that he is back in peak form, which is vital for an Islanders offense that can sometimes stagnate. Mathew Barzal also remains a primary threat, leading the team with 50 points, while rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer has emerged as a legitimate scoring weapon from the blue line. You can find a deeper look at their season performance on the New York Islanders stats and results page.
Defensively, the Islanders have relied heavily on Ilya Sorokin, who remains one of the premier netminders in the league. With Semyon Varlamov currently sidelined, Sorokin’s workload has increased, but his ability to steal games remains the Islanders’ greatest betting asset. The team ranks fifth in the league in goals against, a testament to their structured play under Patrick Roy. However, bettors should stay updated on the New York Islanders injury report to see if depth pieces like Pierre Engvall or Kyle Palmieri make any progress toward a return, as the forward group is currently a bit thin.
From a betting perspective, the Islanders have been a reliable play on the puck line when labeled as underdogs, covering in nearly 60% of those situations this season. They tend to play close games, and their sixth-ranked penalty kill has helped them navigate high-leverage situations effectively. If they can replicate the defensive focus they showed in their previous 9-0 blowout win against New Jersey back in January, they will be a very difficult out on Thursday night.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders Matchup Breakdown
This game presents a fascinating contrast in momentum. The last time these teams met on January 6, the Islanders delivered a 9-0 thrashing that remains fresh in the minds of the New Jersey faithful. Anthony Duclair had a career night in that contest, and while a repeat of that scoreline is highly unlikely, the psychological edge belongs to New York. The Islanders’ ability to clog the neutral zone and force New Jersey into perimeter shots was the blueprint for that win, and I expect Patrick Roy to lean into a similar defensive strategy here.
Special teams will likely play a massive role in deciding the outcome. The Devils have the shots and the zone time, but the Islanders possess one of the elite penalty-killing units in the league. If New Jersey cannot capitalize on their man-advantage opportunities, they may struggle to generate enough high-danger chances against a locked-in Ilya Sorokin. For bettors looking for a deeper dive into these types of situational matchups, consulting an NHL expert betting guide can help identify which advanced metrics actually translate to wins.
Pace of play is another factor to consider. New Jersey wants to play a high-event game, but their recent inability to finish chances suggests they might be forced into the lower-scoring environment the Islanders prefer. This matchup feels like a game where the first team to two goals will have a massive advantage. Utilizing a sports betting strategy guide might lead you toward the under here, as both teams are likely to play a more conservative, “safe” style in their final game before a long layoff.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders Predictions and Best Bets
While the Islanders have been the better team lately, I think the New Jersey Devils are the side to back in this specific spot. The “last game before the break” factor often favors the home team, and the Devils are playing with a level of desperation that is hard to ignore. Connor Brown’s comments about the season slipping away suggest a team that is ready to leave everything on the ice. My model projects a 3-2 victory for New Jersey, finding slight value in the -112 moneyline price.
The total of 5.5 is where the most significant value lies. Both teams have shown a trend toward the under recently, and the Islanders’ defensive structure combined with the Devils’ current scoring slump points toward a low-scoring affair. When you factor in the high stakes of a divisional game and the presence of two solid goaltenders in Sorokin and Markstrom, it is difficult to see this game turning into a track meet. Perhaps the Islanders keep it close, but the under feels like the safest play on the board.
I expect a tight, 2-1 or 3-2 type of game where New Jersey does just enough to secure the two points. They have the shot volume to eventually break through, and playing at the Prudential Center should provide the spark they need to overcome their recent offensive woes.
Best Bet: New Jersey Devils moneyline (-112).
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