The NY Islanders host the Chicago Blackhawks, Tuesday Mar 02, as the Canadian gold medal Olympian Jonathan Toews and American silver medalist Patrick Kane return to action. This is the lone meeting between the teams. They last met on March 15, 2009, when the Islanders earned a 4-2 victory. NHL oddsmakers at SBGGLOBAL.com have the Blackhawks as -200 moneyline favs over the Islanders (+170) with the over/under set at 5.5 goals . Be sure to get your New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks NHL Pick in early at SBGGLOBAL.com
The Blackhawks (41-15-0-5) have won six of their last ten games and three of their last five on the road. They are 18-9-0-3 on the road where they average 3.13 GAG and allow 2.40 GAG. They last won in Columbus 5-4 (SO). They got goals from Patrick Kane, Bryan Bickell, Jake Dowel, Patrick Sharp and Troy Brouwer put away the winning shootout goal. Goalie Antti Niemi stopped 22 of 26 shots and is 8-2 in his last ten with a 2.80 GAA. Overall he’s 17-4-1 with a 2.16 GAA and a .913 SVPCT. Jonathan Toews and Pat Kane are teammates again after spending the past two weeks as opponents at the Olympic Games. The Hawks had six players in the Olympics . Patrick Kane (U.S.); Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook (Canada); and Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky (Slovakia). They haven’t been sitting around like other players and they’ll be ready to go. "I thought our guys played great in the tournament," Coach Quenneville said. "Each and every one of them represented their countries in a big way and were a big part of their teams' successes. … Kaner might have been the best player on the ice for both teams and Toews was the top Canadian."
The Islanders (25-29-3-5) have lost eight of ten and three of their last five at home. They are 16-12-1-1 at home where they average 2.60 GAG and allow 2.73 GAG. They last lost to Ottawa 3-4 at home. They got goals from Blake Comeau, Matt Moulson and Blake Comeau. Goalie Dwayne Roloson stopped 31 of 35 shots and is 4-6 in his last ten with a 3.40 GAA. Overall he’s 19-13-6 with a 2.86 GAA and a .908 SVPCT. New York remains in playoff contention, as it enters Tuesday's action six points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. "We're in a situation where we don't have an easy schedule," Islanders coach Scott Gordon said. "We're going to have to get some wins early to even have a consideration for us to play in the playoffs." The hits just keep on coming for Rick DiPietro. The Isles' goaltender is experiencing swelling in his left knee and is out indefinitely. Josh Bailey (upper body) and Tim Jackman (broken orbital bone) and Jack Hillen (jaw) are all expected to return tonight. Forward Blake Comeau had four points in the last two games before the Olympic break and rookie center John Tavares has two goals in his last 31 games.
Recent Trends to Consider:
- Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
- Blackhawks are 4-0 in their last 4 vs. a team with a losing record.
- Blackhawks are 4-1 in their last 5 road games.
- Blackhawks are 4-1 in their last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
- Blackhawks are 10-3 in their last 13 vs. Eastern Conference.
- Islanders are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Central.
- Islanders are 5-1 in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.
New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks
When: Tuesday Mar 02, 2009 7:00 PM ET
Line: SBGGLOBAL.com
Pick: Chicago -200
Point-Spreads.com New York Islanders vs Chicago Blackhawks NHL Pick
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