New York Islanders vs
Calgary FlamesPredictions & Preview

New York Islanders vs. Calgary Flames: Flames Favored to Prevail in Defensive Battle

The New York Islanders have had a respectable start to the 2024/25 season with a lineup full of veterans that keeps them competitive. Despite having a low ceiling for Stanley Cup Playoffs contention, they remain a tough team to beat. They are facing the surprising Calgary Flames on Tuesday, who have been exceeding expectations thanks to solid goaltending. The Islanders are the betting favorite at opening but the current line now favors the Flames. Check out our prediction for the New York Islanders vs. Calgary Flames match.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Islanders -103 | Flames -110
• Spread: Islanders +1.5 (-265) | Flames -1.5 (+225)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that New York will win straight-up is 51%.

New York vs Calgary Stats

New York Islanders

The New York Islanders entered the 2024/25 season with high hopes after making the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year. Despite a quiet summer, they have shown solid potential with a 5-4-2 record away from home. However, their offense has struggled, ranking 25th in the league with 2.61 goals per game. The goaltending has also fallen short of expectations, with a combined .905 save percentage ranking 14th in the NHL. Leading the offensive charge is Kyle Palmeri with 16 points, supported by four other players in double digits. Despite injuries and inconsistencies, the Islanders have remained competitive in every game. In a recent match against the Seattle Kraken, the team fell short in a tight 3-2 loss, with goals from Nelson and Engvall not enough to secure a win. With a power ranking of 17, New York ranks 21st in offense, 13th in defense, and holds a 7-7-4 record for the season.

Calgary Flames Analysis

The Calgary Flames have exceeded expectations in the 2024/25 season with a 6-3-0 record at home, putting them in the Stanley Cup Playoff race after 18 games. Their strong goaltending, led by Dustin Wolf with a 2.78 GAA and .921 save percentage, has been a key factor in their success. Offensively, the Flames have been lacking consistency, with only Rasmus Andersson and Jonathan Huberdeau in double digits for goals. In their last game, Wolf recorded his first career shutout as the Flames defeated the Nashville Predators 2-0. Despite their current ranking of 23, the Flames rank 8th in defense (2.83 points given up per game) and 23rd in offense (2.72 points scored per game). They are currently 9-6-3 overall and have struggled in recent matchups against the New York team.

Flames Expected to Prevail in Defensive Battle Against Islanders

This matchup presents a challenge to predict, as both teams have strong defensive records but struggle to score goals. The game is expected to be closely contested, particularly with standout goaltenders Sorokin and Wolf between the pipes. Despite the close nature of the matchup, the Flames have historically performed well against this opponent, holding a 7-3 advantage in their last 10 meetings. Additionally, the Flames have a 3-1 record in their last four games against New York played at home. With one of the NHL's top goaltenders in net for Calgary, it is anticipated that they will secure a hard-fought victory in this game.

Sources: [ 1 ]