Chicago Blackhawks vs New York Islanders Predictions

Islanders favored in a close matchup

The Islanders are the likely winner at home, but their -185 moneyline asks bettors to pay a high price. The official New York Islanders / NHL.com preview reports that these teams split two games last season, with each decided by one goal. Chicago is +154, but the lack of confirmed starting goalies makes either moneyline difficult to back.

New York enters at 1-2-0 after a 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Chicago is 1-3-0 but earned its first victory Tuesday, beating St. Louis 4-2 behind a goal and an assist apiece from Anton Frondell and Frank Nazar. That result does not make Chicago a strong bet, but it gives New York little room for error at this price.

Key absences limit both teams

Chicago will be without Teuvo Teravainen after he sustained a lower-body injury Tuesday, and Connor Bedard remains out following shoulder surgery. Frondell has four points in four games, but those absences leave the Blackhawks without two important forwards.

The Islanders are missing defenseman Alexander Romanov, who is expected to miss six to eight months with a torn right ACL. NYI Hockey Now / Sportsnaut also lists Mathew Barzal on injured reserve and projects Ilya Sorokin against Spencer Knight, though neither goalie is confirmed.

Prediction

New York is the more likely winner, but -185 is not worth playing with both lineups depleted and the goalie matchup unconfirmed. Pass on the moneyline.