Boston Bruins vs New York Islanders Picks and Predictions January 5th 2025

Boston Bruins vs New York Islanders January 5th 2025

Looking to win big? The Islanders and Bruins face off at 6:00 ET on ESPN+. The Bruins are hosting the game at TD Garden in Boston, MA. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 5.5 goals, and the Bruins are -1.5 goal favorite to win at home against the Islanders.

New York vs. Boston Key Information

• Teams: Islanders at Bruins
• Where: TD Garden Boston
• Date: Sunday, January 5th
• Betting Odds BOS -117 | NYI -102 O/U 5.5

The Islanders Can Win If…

After a 5-2 loss to the Rangers, the Islanders now sit at 14-18-7. The Islanders were underdogs on the puck line and failed to cover. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, and the combined 7 goals went over that line.

New York fell behind early, allowing a goal just 3:44 into the first period. The Islanders didn’t score until the second period, trailing 2-0 at that point. Their second goal came with only 8 seconds left in the second period, cutting the deficit to 3-2, but the Rangers added two more goals in the third to seal the win.

The Islanders fired 37 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Casey Cizikas scored his first goal of the season, while Brock Nelson added his fifth, with just 8 seconds left in the second period.

New York had 23 giveaways and failed to capitalize on any power play opportunities. Pierre Engvall picked up his first assist of the season on Cizikas’ goal, while Simon Holmstrom earned his fourth assist.

The Islanders’ defense gave up the first goal at 16:16 in the 1st period and allowed two more in the 3rd, including an empty-netter, resulting in a 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with an 89.7% save percentage, while the defense added 12 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Through their last three regular season contests, New York has a record of 0-3. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 0-3.
• New York has put together a record of 3-7 in their last ten games (regular season). The team’s record vs the puck line was just 3-7, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Bruins Can Win If…

Boston improved to 20-17-4 with a 2-0 win over the Kraken. The Bruins covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total for the game was set at 6 goals, but both teams combined for just 2.

Both of Boston’s goals came in the first period, with Justin Brazeau scoring at 16:37 and Charlie Coyle adding another at 10:03. The Bruins’ defense held Seattle scoreless, with Jeremy Swayman stopping all 23 shots he faced.

Boston’s offense struck twice in their 2-0 win over Seattle. Justin Brazeau netted his 5th goal of the season, while Charlie Coyle followed with his 2nd, which came on a power play.

The Bruins fired 33 shots on goal and recorded 16 giveaways. Both of their goals came in the first period, with Brazeau scoring just 3:23 into the game.

Boston’s defense was rock solid, leading to a 2-0 win over Seattle. Jeremy Swayman made 23 saves with a 100% save percentage, and the Bruins’ defense added 5 takeaways and 15 hits. They also blocked 27 shots, helping to secure the shutout.

• Boston has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 1-2 to go along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Boston has a record of 5-5. In these contests, the team went just 6-4 against the spread, while going 4-6 on the over-under.

The Lean

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Bruins to pick up on a win over the Islanders at home. With the moneyline sitting at -117, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Bruins straight-up.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Islanders to cover. Even if the Bruins secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Islanders should cover the puck line.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 5.5 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Bruins Return Home to Face Islanders After Road Woes

The Boston Bruins will take to the ice at TD Garden on Sunday evening, eager to snap a three-game losing streak as they host the New York Islanders. Both teams are searching for answers after tough road stretches, with the Bruins aiming to reestablish their dominance at home and the Islanders fighting to stay competitive in the packed Eastern Conference.

Bruins Seek Redemption After Road Struggles

The Bruins are coming off a grueling three-game road trip where they failed to secure a single win. Their latest setback, a 6-4 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, highlighted both their resilience and vulnerabilities. Despite rallying twice to tie the game, defensive lapses and Toronto’s explosive offense ultimately proved too much.

“It’s difficult in this league to play catch-up hockey,” said interim coach Joe Sacco. “We had opportunities, but breakdowns cost us points.”

A bright spot for Boston was David Pastrnak’s performance, as he netted his first multi-goal game of the season to tie captain Brad Marchand for the team lead with 15 goals. Pastrnak’s resurgence is critical for a team that had struggled to score, with just eight goals in their previous four games before Saturday.

Forward Trent Frederic echoed the need for more contributions across the lineup:

“Hopefully it gives us confidence to help the team and get more goals moving forward.”

Islanders Aim to Find Their Finish

While the Islanders have been competitive, their recent results tell a frustrating story. New York has dropped three straight games, each decided by a single goal, including a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the Maple Leafs in the closing minutes.

Coach Patrick Roy remains optimistic about his team’s overall play but acknowledges the need for sharper execution in the offensive zone.

“The effort is there, the work is there. We just need to find the back of the net,” Roy said.

Forwards Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair have returned to the lineup, but New York’s offense remains inconsistent. Barzal emphasized the urgency of securing wins, even at the expense of style:

“I’d take an ugly game to get a win right now. Wins are all that matter.”

Goaltender Ilya Sorokin has carried the workload in net, starting 14 of the past 15 games due to Semyon Varlamov’s absence. Sorokin’s strong performances have kept the Islanders competitive, but the team’s reliance on him highlights their need for balanced contributions.

Key Players and Matchup Notes

Boston and New York met earlier this season in a high-scoring affair where the Bruins emerged victorious, 6-3. Brad Marchand and Pavel Zacha each scored twice, while Brock Nelson led the Islanders with two goals and an assist.

On Sunday, the Bruins will look to build on that previous success, particularly as they return to their home ice, where they’ve found more consistency. The Islanders, however, will aim to disrupt Boston’s rhythm with their hard-nosed, defensive style and capitalize on any lapses.

Defensively, Dennis Cholowski will step into the Islanders’ lineup as Isaiah George remains in concussion protocol. Meanwhile, Boston’s defensive unit will look to tighten up after allowing critical goals in transition during their road trip.

Who Will Claim the NHL's Best Record? Find Out Here

A Pivotal Game for Both Teams

With both squads eager to end their respective losing streaks, Sunday’s matchup is shaping up to be a test of willpower and execution. For Boston, a return home may be just the reset they need to reignite their form. For New York, finding a way to turn effort into results is essential to staying afloat in the playoff hunt.

The TD Garden crowd is sure to add energy to a game that holds significant importance for both teams as they strive to steer their seasons back on track.