Ottawa Senators vs New York Islanders Picks and Predictions December 8th 2024

Ottawa Senators vs New York Islanders December 8th 2024

Betting on today’s Islanders and Senators game? Catch the action at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, ON, as the Senators hosts this showdown at 5:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this Eastern conference game currently have the Senators as the -1.5 goal favorite with the over/under line sitting at 6 goals.

New York vs. Ottawa Key Information

• Teams: Islanders at Senators
• Where: Canadian Tire Centre Ottawa
• Date: Sunday, December 8th
• Betting Odds OTT -147 | NYI +125 O/U 6

The Islanders Can Win If…

The Islanders fell to 10-11-7 after a 5-2 road loss to the Rangers. Entering the game as underdogs on the puck line, New York failed to cover. The total was set at 6 goals, and the combined 7 goals surpassed that mark.

Trailing 2-0, Casey Cizikas put the Islanders on the board in the second period. They added another goal later in the second, but the Rangers responded with two more to seal the win.

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

The Islanders recorded 23 giveaways and were held scoreless in the first and third periods. Pierre Engvall picked up his first assist of the season on Cizikas’ goal, while Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri, and Anders Lee also contributed assists.

Defensively, the Islanders will look to bounce back after giving up five goals to the Rangers, including two in the third period. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with a save percentage of 89.7%. The Islanders’ defense also had 12 takeaways and 17 hits.

• Across New York’s last three regular season games, their record sits at 1-2. This includes going 1-2 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• The Islanders have gone 3-7 over their last ten regular season games. The team’s record vs the puck line was just 5-5, in addition to an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Senators Can Win If…

With a 3-0 win over the Kraken, the Senators moved to 12-12-2 this season. Ottawa covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short of that mark.

All three of Ottawa’s goals came from different players. Adam Gaudette scored first at 14:32 in the opening period, followed by Brady Tkachuk in the second. Tim Stützle added an empty-netter in the third to seal the victory.

Ottawa’s offense scored three times in their 3-0 win over Seattle, with Tim Stützle netting his 6th goal of the season on an empty net. Adam Gaudette opened the scoring with his 7th goal, and Brady Tkachuk added another, also his 7th of the year.

The Senators took 23 shots on goal and recorded 11 giveaways. Tim Stützle picked up his 10th assist on Tkachuk’s goal, while Michael Amadio earned his 2nd assist on Stützle’s empty-netter.

On defense, the Senators will look to carry over their performance from their previous game against the Kraken, where they allowed 0 goals. Goalie Anton Forsberg recorded 22 saves with a 100% save percentage. The Senators’ defense also had 2 takeaways and 25 hits.

• Through their last three games, the Senators have a record of 2-1. Against the spread, they have gone 1-2 and logged an over-under record of 1-2 in these games.
• Across Ottawa’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 4-6. Across these games, their puck line record was just 1-9, while posting an over-under record of 6-4.

The Lean

If you’re looking for a moneyline pick, my choice is the Senators to take down the Islanders at home. With the moneyline currently at -147, I’m placing my bet on the Senators straight-up.

When making a puck line pick, we’re backing the Senators to win and cover. Watch for the Senators to win this game by multiple goals over the Islanders.

If you’re looking at the over/under line set at 6 goals, our prediction is that this game will exceed that mark, and we strongly advise placing a bet on the over.

Islanders Look for Consistency Against Resurgent Senators

The New York Islanders (12-9-6) and Ottawa Senators (10-12-2) square off Sunday night in Ottawa, with both teams coming off confidence-boosting wins. Each will be completing a back-to-back set following strong performances at home on Saturday.

The Islanders ended a 4-3 slump with a gritty win over the Carolina Hurricanes, while the Senators dispatched the Nashville Predators 3-1. Both teams aim to solidify their positions in a competitive Eastern Conference.

Islanders: Seeking Back-to-Back Wins

The Islanders have struggled to maintain leads and build momentum this season, often faltering in third periods. However, Saturday’s 4-3 victory over Carolina was a step in the right direction, thanks to a dominant second period in which they scored all four goals.

Bo Horvat broke his scoring drought with his first goal since Nov. 7, and New York held off Carolina’s late push despite being outshot 19-2 in the third period.

“We had to bounce back,” Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock said. “That’s a good win for us.”

Key Players for the Islanders

• Bo Horvat: His goal on Saturday could signal a return to form for the forward, who now has six goals this season.
• Ilya Sorokin: Likely to start in goal Sunday, Sorokin will look to build on his stellar performances and keep Ottawa’s offense in check.
• Brock Nelson: With a team-leading 30 points, Nelson remains the Islanders’ most reliable offensive contributor.

Despite inconsistent results, the Islanders sit just two points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, making Sunday’s game crucial.

Senators: Building Momentum After Early Struggles

The Senators are turning a corner after a rough stretch in mid-November, winning four of their last six games. Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Nashville showcased Ottawa’s improved ability to manage tight games.

Defenseman Jacob Bernard-Docker scored his first goal since January, and Linus Ullmark delivered a standout 37-save performance to anchor the Senators.

“We’re finding our game again,” said Ottawa coach Travis Green.

Key Players for the Senators

• Brady Tkachuk: The team’s emotional leader and top scorer (28 points), Tkachuk will be pivotal in setting the tone against the Islanders.
• Linus Ullmark: With a strong showing against Nashville, Ullmark continues to provide stability in net for Ottawa.
• Jacob Bernard-Docker: Fresh off a confidence-boosting goal, Bernard-Docker adds depth to Ottawa’s improving defensive corps.

Ottawa has shown improvement in one-goal games, going 3-1 in such contests over their last six after struggling earlier in the season.

Key Matchups to Watch

• Islanders’ Defense vs. Senators’ Top Line: New York’s ability to contain Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stützle will be critical in keeping Ottawa’s offense in check.
• Bo Horvat vs. Ottawa’s Defense: Horvat’s resurgence could challenge Ottawa’s blueline, especially in high-pressure situations.
• Goaltending Battle: Whether it’s Linus Ullmark or Anton Forsberg for Ottawa, the goaltending duel against Ilya Sorokin will likely decide the outcome.

Who’s taking the top spot? Dive into NHL Metropolitan Division Odds & Predictions!

What’s at Stake?

For the Islanders, a win would mark only their second back-to-back victory streak of the season and help stabilize their playoff push. Maintaining their third-period composure will be key to success.

The Senators, meanwhile, are looking to climb back into the playoff conversation. A victory would further solidify their recent improvement and mark another step in building consistent momentum.

With both teams eager to prove themselves, fans can expect a high-intensity clash as these Eastern Conference rivals battle for vital points.