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 makes predictions based on how they might play out. For this edition, we will look at the New York Islanders taking on the New Jersey Devils. Don’t forget to check out more NHL Predictions, as our writers continue this series throughout the 2025-26 season.
NHL Predictions: New York Islanders vs New Jersey Devils
Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
How to Watch TV: ESPN+, HULU
2025-26 Season Series: Islanders lead 2-0
This matchup in our NHL predictions features two heated Metropolitan Division rivals fighting for positioning in the standings. With just four points separating the two teams, this game carries a little more weight than most. Coming into this one, the Islanders are second in the division at 50 points. Through 42 games so far, their record stands at 23-15-4. As for the Devils, they are sixth in the division with 46 points on the season. After 42 games, their record sits at 22-18-2. This is the third of four matchups between these sides. Each team has hosted a home game so far; tonight’s matchup, however, will be at UBS Arena on Long Island.
The Islanders Story
The Islanders come into this game after a thrilling overtime win on Saturday night. This game snapped an eight-game streak where they had been held to two goals or fewer. Despite the offensive breakout, they still rank 25th in the league in goals for per game with 2.76. Generating offence will get a little tougher as team point leader Bo Horvat is on the shelf again.
He is expected to be out at least a week after re-aggravating the lower-body injury he had just missed time with. Once again, the team will rely more on Mathew Barzal, who moves into the top line centre position. Arguably more importantly, their centre depth will be tested, Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Calum Ritchie in particular. Their roles will also expand, and perhaps they can find something to spark additional goals.
Defensively, the Islanders have remained strong. They remain ranked in the top 10 in goals against per game. Ranking seventh with 2.76 against. Led by the first overall pick, rookie Matthew Schaefer, who continues to make history. He became the first defenceman in NHL history to record two multi-goal games as an 18-year-old. His two goals last game have him tied for third among all defenders with 12. The team has also got great goaltending play from David Rittch. As the number one, he went 4-2-1. However, with Ilya Sorokin back from the IR, he will go back to his backup role. Sorokin gets the start tonight after six games on the shelf. In 24 appearances this season, he has gone 12-10-2 with a .910 save percentage.
The Devil’s Story
The Devils come into this game in not the best form lately. They’ve lost five of their last seven contests. In four of those games, they have been held to one goal or fewer. As a team, they rank 28th in goals per game with 2.64. With the return of Jack Hughes, the hope is that he can help the team generate more offensively. In his first seven games back, he has four points. He and his centre, Nico Hischier, are a dangerous duo who can hurt you on any given night. Nico has 32 points in 42 games. Team point leader Jesper Bratt rounds out the first line trio. He has 33 points in 42 games.
Defensively, the Devils have been in strong form as of late. In seven of their last 11 games, they have allowed two goals or fewer. That strong run has them just outside the top 10. They rank 13th in goals against per game. One thing that has hurt them has been a penalty kill that ranks near the bottom half of the league. That unit ranks 24th in the NHL with a 77.5% kill rate. The Devils have a true 50/50 split in their net, and it has yielded decent results so far.
Jake Allen is 11-9-1 with a .911 save percentage. He has dropped three of his last four, however, going 1-2-1. If the rotation holds, Jacob Markstrom would be in line to start this game. He has been the better of the two recently. Not allowing more than three goals in a game since Nov. 29. Overall, he is 10-9-1 with a .888 save percentage.
Prediction
Coming into this game, both teams are jockeying for position in a loaded Metropolitan Division. That will have this game getting a little more juice than usual. Despite what the numbers say, with the Horvat injury, the Devils’ offence probably has a slight advantage over the Islanders. However, the Islanders can make up for that with better defence and goaltending. Those factors, combined with the home ice advantage, could see this game tilt in New York’s favour. We are going to roll with the Islanders to build off the momentum of the last game and turn it into another win.
Prediction: Islanders win 4-3
Prop Bets
According to the popular sportsbooks, the Islanders are home underdogs in this game. We like the value on their moneyline at +100. The over/under is set at 5.5. The Islanders finally scored over two goals for the first time in eight games, so they would like to keep that going. Hughes is back and trying to get rolling, so we could be in for some goals here tonight.
We like the over at +100. As far as anytime goal scorers, for the Islanders, it’s Barzal. He is at +200, and with his expanded role, the team will need him to score some goals. For the Devils, it is, of course, Jack Hughes at +165. He is looking to get his legs back under him, and what better way to do that than with a goal?
Main photo by: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
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