NFL Previews 
MLB Previews 
NBA Previews 
NHL Previews 
Soccer Previews 
The New Jersey Devils visit the New York Islanders on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, with puck drop set for 7:30 PM ET at UBS Arena in Elmont. You can watch on ESPN+. New Jersey is 22-18-2 and still looking for a clean stretch of hockey, while the Islanders are 23-15-4 and holding down second in the Metro, which still feels a little surprising this deep into the year.
The storyline is pretty simple for bettors: Ilya Sorokin is back for New York after missing time, and the Islanders might be without rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer due to illness. New Jersey is also coming off a game where the power play completely disappeared. Put it together and you get a game that looks tighter than the names might suggest, with the total sitting at a modest number.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated numbers leading into puck drop. For the latest line movement and pricing, check the latest NHL odds.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Devils | -120 | -1.5 (+210) | O 5.5 (-108) |
| New York Islanders | +100 | +1.5 (-258) | U 5.5 (-112) |
New Jersey Devils Betting Form
New Jersey keeps finding ways to make games harder than they need to be. At five-on-five, the shot volume is fine and the skill is obvious, but the finishing comes and goes, and the power play has been a swing factor in the wrong direction more often lately. When the Devils are off on special teams, they have to win the hard way, and they have not been consistent about that. You can see the broader profile in the Devils stats and results and it basically screams “capable, but volatile.”
The matchup note I care about is how New Jersey reacts if the Islanders keep this slow early. The Devils are at their best when the game opens up and they can attack through the middle with speed. If it turns into a tight, patient game with long shifts and few odd-man looks, New Jersey can get impatient, and that’s when penalties and forced plays show up.
Availability always matters, so monitor the New Jersey Devils injury report before puck drop.
| Player | Pos | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evgenii Dadonov | RW | IR | Undisclosed |
New York Islanders Betting Form
The Islanders have been living off timely goals, strong structure, and a real swagger at home. Even when they get out of rhythm for stretches, they don’t look panicked. A big reason is goaltending, and Sorokin returning matters. He’s not just a “good starter.” He changes how aggressive New York can be on the forecheck because they trust what’s behind them.
The Schaefer situation is the other side of the handicap. If he plays, New York’s transition improves and their blue line has more juice. If he sits, the Islanders can still win, but they become more dependent on clean defensive zone exits and winning a low-event game. Either way, this team is comfortable grinding.
For form, splits, and recent results, start with the Islanders schedule and stats. Availability matters here, so monitor the New York Islanders injury report before puck drop.
| Player | Pos | Status | Injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Schaefer | D | Day-to-day | Illness |
| Bo Horvat | C | Out | Undisclosed |
| Kyle Palmieri | C | IR | Undisclosed |
New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders Matchup Breakdown
This game sets up like a classic “pace vs structure” fight. New Jersey wants clean entries and quick strikes. The Islanders want you to play into layers and force your offense to come from second and third opportunities. With Sorokin back, I expect New York to lean into that identity even more, especially early.
Special teams are where New Jersey can flip the script, but that’s also where I’m skeptical. If the Devils’ power play is sharp, you can justify laying the small road price. If it’s flat again, New Jersey has to beat Sorokin and a structured Isles team at five-on-five, and that’s not a comfortable ask.
Goaltending is the separator for me. Sorokin returning raises the Islanders’ floor, while New Jersey’s crease is more about “which version shows up tonight.” That doesn’t mean the Devils can’t win, it just changes what prices I’m willing to pay. In a game priced around a short Devils favorite, I’d rather be aligned with the goaltending stability and the home structure.
If you want a clean framework for how to treat spots like this, including low totals and small road favorites, the NHL expert betting guide is a useful refresher.
New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders Predictions and Best Bets
My side lean is Islanders moneyline at +100. It’s not a “New Jersey is bad” take. It’s more that the Devils are being asked to be the proactive team on the road against a defense-first opponent that just got its No. 1 goalie back. That’s not where I love paying even a small premium, especially when New Jersey’s recent issue has been converting chances and capitalizing on special teams.
The total is where I feel more comfortable. At 5.5, you’re not getting a ton of cushion, but the game script points toward a tighter night. The Islanders are happy to slow it down, Sorokin returning usually stabilizes the chaos, and if Schaefer is limited or out, New York is even more likely to lean into a “win it 3-2” type plan.
I’m not saying it can’t pop. A couple of early power plays can blow up any Under. But if you’re asking me what’s most likely based on how these teams want to play and who’s in net, I think the Under is the cleaner bet than trying to thread the needle on a side.
Best Bet: Under 5.5 (-112).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
If you’re betting NHL nightly, it’s usually smarter to build your card around repeatable edges, not one-off opinions. That’s where today’s NHL picks help, because you can compare multiple games and decide where the price actually gives you value.
The other advantage is transparency. You can track who’s winning long-term, not just who had a good week. Start with the top sports handicappers page, then verify performance on the handicapper leaderboard. If you want deeper coverage and bigger slates, you can also tap into buy expert picks and use the NHL previews hub to keep your matchup research organized. And if you’re mixing in futures alongside nightly betting, the Stanley Cup betting guide is a solid reference for timing, price sensitivity, and hedging.
