Sunday, April 2, 2017

First Niagara Center

Get todays NHL hockey odds on this game.

The New York Islanders head to First Niagara Center to play the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday, April 2, 2017. The opening line for this game has the Islanders at +113 and the Sabres at -125.

New York comes into this matchup having played 77 games. They have an overall record of 36-29-12 and on the road they have a record of 15-17-5. Currently they are 6th in the Metropolitan Division. They've scored 224 goals and given up 235 goals for a point differential of -11. The Islanders have an overall record of 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. For the season they have an ATS record of 34-41 and an over/under record of 39-33-5. Buffalo shows up with a record of 32-33-12 including 19-13-6 at home this season. They are 7th in the Atlantic Division. They've scored 193 goals and surrendered 221 for a goal differential of -28. The Sabres have a record of 5-5-0 in their last 10 contests. Their record against the spread is 30-45 while their over/under record sits at 34-36-7.

Our handicappers are experts on NHL betting. Check out our NHL betting tips.

Valuable New York Islanders Betting Trends

The New York Islanders are 34-41 straight up

The New York Islanders are 39-33-5 against the over/under

Important Buffalo Sabres Betting Trends

The Buffalo Sabres are 30-45 straight up

The Buffalo Sabres are 34-36-7 against the over/under

Key New York Islanders Injuries

10/10/16 C Mikhail Grabovski Concussion out indefinitely
04/01/17 C John Tavares Leg injured last game, doubtful Sunday vs. Buffalo
04/01/17 D Travis Hamonic Upper Body "?" Sunday vs. Buffalo
03/29/17 LW Nikolay Kulemin Upper Body out indefinitely
03/23/17 RW Ryan Strome Wrist out indefinitely

Key Buffalo Sabres Injuries

12/31/16 C Johan Larsson Wrist out for season
11/12/16 C Cody McCormick Blood Clot out indefinitely
03/28/17 D Cody Franson Facial "?" Sunday vs. NY Islanders
03/28/17 D Taylor Fedun Foot "?" Sunday vs. NY Islanders
03/28/17 RW Kyle Okposo Illness "?" Sunday vs. NY Islanders
03/25/17 D Rasmus Ristolainen Suspension 3-game suspension (eligible to return 04/02 vs. NY Islanders)
02/18/17 C Derek Grant Shoulder out indefinitely
02/10/17 C Zemgus Girgensons Abdominal out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

John Tavares has accumulated 66 total points this season for the Islanders. He has 28 goals this season with 260 shots on goal giving him a shooting percentage of 11%. He has a total of 38 assists on the season and averages 20.4 minutes played per game. Josh Bailey has averaged 18.5 minutes of ice time per game this year. In that time he has a shooting percentage of 8% by scoring 13 goals on 168 shots. He has 39 assists giving him a total of 52 points on the season. Thomas Greiss has 25 wins and 18 losses this season in net for the Islanders. He has had 1,419 shots against him and has given up 124 goals. He has made 1,295 saves for a save percentage of 91%.

Player Spotlight

Sam Reinhart has accumulated 46 total points this season for the Sabres. He has 17 goals this season with 170 shots on goal giving him a shooting percentage of 10%. He has a total of 29 assists on the season and averages 17.3 minutes played per game. Kyle Okposo has averaged 19 minutes of ice time per game. In that time he has a shooting percentage of 12% by scoring 19 goals on 156 shots. He has 26 assists giving him a total of 45 points on the season. Robin Lehner has 22 wins and 23 losses this season in net for the Sabres. He has had 1,810 shots against him and has given up 141 goals. He has made 1,669 saves for a save percentage of 92%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Islanders have 84 total points this season. They have scored 224 goals while giving up 235 goals. They have had 223 power play opportunities and have scored 33 goals on those chances for a percentage of 15%. The Islanders have allowed 213 power play opportunities and given up 40 goals on those chances for a penalty kill percentage of 81%. They average 31 shots per game and as a team are shooting 9.50% for the season to this point. They allow 32 shots to their opposition per contest and have a team save percentage of 91%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Sabres have a total of 76 points on the season. They have 57 power play goals on 225 opportunities thus far for a percentage of 25%. They have allowed 225 power play opportunities and have given up 51 goals on those chances for a penalty kill percentage of 77%. As a team, the Islanders have a total of 193 goals scored while they've given up 221 goals to this point. They average 30 shots per contest and have a team shooting percentage of 8.23%. As a team they give up 34 shots per game and have a save percentage of 92%.

Advanced Statistics

New York has a Corsi percentage of 47.7% as they've attempted 4,334 shots on net at full strength while they've given up 4,748 shots on net in the same situations. Their Fenwick percentage is at 48.2% as they have 3,216 attempts while they've given up 3,460 shots on the defensive end. The Islanders start possessions in the offensive zone 50.2% of the time while their defensive zone percentage is at 49.8% for the season. They have 2,142 face off wins compared to 2,336 losses, meaning their faceoff win percentage is 47.8%. On defense New York has 1,996 hits and they've blocked 1,288 shots from the opposition.

Advanced Statistics

Buffalo has attempted 4,168 shots at full strength and they've given up 4,661 attempts, meaning their Corsi percentage is at 47.2% for the season. In terms of Fenwick percentage, they currently are at 47.1% as they have 3,187 shots while they've given up 3,586 attempts on defense. The Sabres have an offensive zone percentage of 48.6% and their defensive zone percentage is 51.4% so far this season. They have a faceoff win percentage of 49.7% as they've compiled 2,307 face off wins this season and they have suffered 2,335 face off losses. On defense Buffalo has blocked 1,075 shot attempts and they have 1,783 hits as a unit.

Who will win tonight's Islanders/Sabres NHL game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take New York +113

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Josh Schonwald