Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team breaks down the key matchups, storylines, and stats, then make predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the Philadelphia Flyers. Don’t forget to check out all the action on NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2024-25 season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs Philadelphia Flyers
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: MSGSN; NBCSP; ESPN+
This matchup features two Metropolitan Division rivals amid a wild card race going head-to-head. The Islanders holding eighth place in the division through 46 games. Their record is 19-20-7 good for 45 points. Meanwhile, the Flyers are in sixth with a record of 22-21-6 through 49 games, good enough for 50 points. This is the second of four matchups between these teams. They met just over a week ago with the Flyers winning 5-3. That matchup took place on Long Island, the same location for tonight’s game inside UBS Arena.
The Islanders Story
The Islanders come into this game riding a two-game winning streak. Their last loss came last Thursday against this same Flyers team. They have been playing well recently winners of five of their last seven. The offence has scored three or more goals in five of those contests. However, they are top heavy with much of that production coming from the top line. Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat both come into this one on three-game point streaks. Horvat has benefited from moving up to that line with the suspension to Maxim Tsyplakov. He will be serving the last of his three-game suspension for this one. With how well Barzal and Horvat have looked together look for them to keep that line intact when Tsyplakov comes back. As a team, they are still near the bottom of the league in goals per game ranking 27th with 2.65.
Defensively this will be the first game without Noah Dobson who is week-to-week with a lower-body injury. His absence comes at a bad time and a time when the Islanders were playing good defensive hockey. They are 14th in goals against with 2.98 per game. They have allowed two goals or less in five of the last seven. With Dobson going down this will be challenging to maintain. Good goaltending play will help, Ilya Sorokin has been solid in the month of January. In five outings he is 3-2 with a .921 save percentage and one shutout. He will be expected to split the upcoming back-to-back with Marcus Hogberg. He has also been solid in his limited appearances. In four starts he is 2-2 with a .952 save percentage and 1.32 goals against.
The Flyers Story
The Flyers come into this game after a 6-1 defeat against the New York Rangers. That loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Philly. They have been playing good hockey recently winners of five of their last seven. Their offence ranks middle of the pack with 146 goals this season, which is 14th in the league. Led by Travis Konecny he has 55 points in 49 games. He is on pace to shatter his career high in points which stands at 68 just a season ago. There is a big dropoff before the second-point leader, Matvei Michkov with 34 points in 47 games. The rookie has been a solid top-six forward and is firmly in the Calder race for rookie of the year. These two lead the way offensively for Philly.
Defensively and goaltending is where the weakness for this team is at. They rank 28th in goals against with 165 on the season. However, they have been good at limiting their opponents’ chances. They have conceded the fifth-fewest shots against with 983 all season. 78 of those shots being high danger chances which is the third-fewest in the league. Their goaltending has been a letdown this season. Starter Samuel Ersson got lit up for six goals against the Rangers. That brings his record to 14-8-2 with a .891 save percentage and 2.80 goals against. Since he started last night, Ivan Fedotov will start against the Islanders. He hasn’t been good either with a 4-5-3 record, .879 save percentage and 3.26 goals against.
Prediction
With both teams playing well recently coming into this game and the fact they are rivals battling for playoff position this should be a tight game. Both teams desperately need the points but the Islanders more so. The Islanders also are the rested team with Philly on the second of a back-to-back. That along with their defensive, goaltending and home-ice advantages should help them win this game and push their win streak to three.
Prediction: Islanders win 3-2
Prob Bets
We wrap up NHL predictions with some prop bets. Top betting sites have the Islanders as favourites on the money line at -154 and we think that is a safe bet. The over/under is set at 5.5. Neither team lights it up offensively, with the Islanders playing good defence as of late and Philly limiting chances, we like the under at +104. As far as any time goal scorers, for the Islanders take Bo Horvat at +195. He scored two in the last game and has been warm recently, we like him to continue that in this one. For the Flyers, Travis Konecny at +220 is a good pick. He is the leading scorer for Philly and if someone is going to score for them, he will be in the middle of it.
Main Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: January 24 New York Islanders vs Philadelphia Flyers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.