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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Face-off: 1930 ET, 03/03/2022
Arena: UBS Arena
New York Islanders and Vancouver both need to step it up if they are to become wild card contenders and a tight tussle is expected at UBS Arena.
The Big Apple outfit won 6-3 when these teams met in Canada last month, but the Canucks have produced the stronger form since then.
With an even encounter on the cards, 4.1 for overtime to be needed spearheads our New York Islanders vs Vancouver Canucks predictions.
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The Islanders return home following a five-match road trip which yielded a respectable 2-2-1, with wins at Seattle and Anaheim.
Tuesday’s clash at Carolina saw another brave effort, with New York leading 3-2 after two periods before tiring late on to go down 5-3.
“I thought our game was pretty decent,” said coach Barry Trotz. “I thought the first two periods were pretty even, then they got it tied up on the end of a power play.”
Kyle Palmieri added: “The bounces didn’t end up going our way. It’s not the time of year for moral victories, but I think anyone that watched could see that we played a solid game.”
Forward Mathew Barzal and defenseman Zdeno Chara continue to be injury doubts but the Islanders should be re-energised in front of their own fans.
Only five teams have scored fewer first-period goals than this pair, though, so a cagey start is anticipated.
Looking at the NHL odds, we like 1.75 for under two goals in the opening 20 minutes.
Vancouver are also coming off a loss after going down 7-2 at New Jersey on Monday, when second-string goalie Jaroslav Halak struggled with just eight saves from 14 shots before being pulled.
Thatcher Demko made 18 saves in 33:41 to steady the ship and should be between the posts for this contest.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau admitted his side couldn’t handle the speed of the Devils early on and refused to use playing on consecutive days as an excuse.
“I don’t get the whole back-to-back thing, why it’s tiring,” Boudreau said. “That excuse goes out the window.”
However, Vancouver had put a lot into winning 5-2 away to the New York Rangers the previous day and we’re prepared to be a little more forgiving.
That completed a hat-trick of victories for the Canucks and made it six wins in eight, so there is nothing wrong with their overall form.
Let’s add 10.5 for the visitors to prevail 3-2 to our Islanders vs Canucks predictions, with overtime and penalties included if required.
Additional stats
Last result:
Colorado 5-3 NY ISLANDERS
New Jersey 7-2 VANCOUVER
Season head-to-head: Vancouver 3-6 NY Islanders
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