Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NHL match.
New York Islanders
Over the past several seasons, the Islanders have relied on their solid defensive structure. This year, even that is failing them. Laine Lambert's team allows 2.91 xG at full strength per hour of gameplay, ranking only 26th in the league.
Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia is unusually high in the standings of the strong Metropolitan Division. John Tortorella's players have climbed to the second position, surpassing Carolina, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey. Their winning streak has reached 5 games, and the Flyers faced a challenging schedule during this period.
New York Islanders vs Philadelphia Flyers prediction
For some reason, bookmakers believe that the Islanders are clear favorites. Honestly, it's a bit surprising. New York has won only two games this month and only broke a seven-game losing streak last Sunday. Philadelphia, on the other hand, significantly exceeds preseason expectations not only in terms of results but also in the quality of hockey. They've been undefeated since November 11.
In my opinion, the odds between the opponents should be at least even. I believe the advantage is on the side of the guests.
