The New York Islanders (25-22-7) travel to face off against the Minnesota Wild (32-19-4) on Saturday, February 8th. This game will be played at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul and televised on ESPN+. The Wild are coming off a win in their previous game, while the Islanders are looking to get back on track from a loss to the Rangers. Puck drop is set for 8:00 ET.

Islanders vs Wild

The New York Islanders Look To Bounce Back From A Loss

The Islanders fell to 25-22-7 after a 5-2 loss to the Rangers. As underdogs on the puck line, New York failed to cover, with the total of 7 goals surpassing the pre-game line of 6.

After falling behind 2-0, Casey Cizikas scored at 15:22 in the second period to cut the deficit. The Rangers responded with another goal before Brock Nelson found the net with just 8 seconds left in the period, bringing the Islanders within one. However, the Rangers added two more goals in the third to seal the game.

The Minnesota Wild Are Coming Off A Win

With a 2-1 overtime victory against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 32-19-4. Minnesota, favored by -1.5 goals, didn’t cover the puck line. The total was set at 6 goals, but the teams combined for just 3.

Ryan Hartman scored first for the Wild at 9:41 in the opening period, but the Maple Leafs tied it with only 52 seconds left in the first. Matt Boldy netted the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.

New York Offense Breakdown

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

New York had 23 giveaways in the game. Pierre Engvall recorded his first assist of the season on Cizikas’ goal, while Simon Holmstrom picked up his fourth assist. Kyle Palmieri added his fourth assist on Nelson’s goal, and Anders Lee notched his third assist of the season.

Wild Offense Breakdown

Ryan Hartman netted his third goal of the season, while Matt Boldy added his sixth, scoring the game-winner in overtime. Jared Spurgeon contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to three.

The Wild took 33 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods. They recorded 15 giveaways and were unable to capitalize on any power play opportunities.

New York Team Defense

Defensively, the Islanders gave up the first goal just 3:44 into the first period and allowed another at 1:21 into the second. After pulling within 3-2 late in the second, they conceded two more in the third, including an empty-netter. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with an 89.7% save percentage, and the Islanders’ defense recorded 12 takeaways and 17 hits.

Minnesota Team Defense

Defensively, the Wild allowed a late first-period goal to Toronto but shut them out the rest of the way, leading to a 2-1 overtime win. Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage. The Wild’s defense also contributed 7 takeaways and 22 hits.

Islanders vs Wild Trends

• In their last ten games away from home, the Islanders have a straight up record of 6-4 while going 7-3 vs. the spread. The team averaged 3 goals per game in this stretch.
• In their last three games at home, the Wild have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs. the spread. The team averaged 2 goals per game in this stretch.
• Going back to their previous ten games as the underdog, Minnesota has an puck line mark of 4-6 while going 4-6 straight up.
• The Islanders have played well in their last five games as the betting favorite, going 4-1 straight up and 4-1 against the spread.

Islanders vs Wild Prediction

When making a moneyline pick, my choice is the Wild to come out with a win against the Islanders while playing at home. Considering the moneyline odds at -154, I’m placing my bet on the Wild to win outright.

For a puck line pick, we are going with the Wild to win and cover. Look for the Wild to win this one by multiple goals over the Islanders.

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.

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All odds are courtesy of Action247 Sportsbook. Good luck!!

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* All odds are provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.**All views expressed are my own. My picks are my own and are not a guarantee, bet at your own risk.Action247 does not warrant the accuracy of completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these post.