New York Islanders @ Edmonton Oilers - November 12, 2024

As the New York Islanders prepare to face off against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place, there are several key statistics and trends that will help us dissect what we might expect from this matchup.

The Oilers come into this game with a record of 7-7-1, while the Islanders sit slightly behind at 6-6-3. The oddsmakers have made Edmonton the favorites, opening with a moneyline of -164 and a total set at 6.5 goals for the game. Given their recent performance, including a strong 7-3 win over the Canucks, it’s clear that Edmonton is looking to build momentum.

When we analyze both teams’ offensive stats, we see some interesting numbers. The Oilers average 2.667 goals per game on 32.933 shots with an 8.109% shooting percentage. In contrast, the Islanders lag slightly behind with just 2.467 goals per game on about 31.267 shots and an 8.236% shooting percentage—indicating that while they shoot more accurately, they generate fewer overall scoring opportunities.

On special teams, both squads struggle somewhat on the power play; Edmonton converts only about 15.79% of their chances (0.4 power play goals per game), while New York is even lower at just 13.04%. This suggests that if either team finds themselves in penalty trouble tonight, it may not be as costly as one would think given their inefficiencies.

Defensively, both teams show promise but also areas for improvement. The Oilers boast an impressive save percentage of 87.7%, but their penalty kill sits at a concerning rate of just under 59%. Meanwhile, the Islanders have a better save percentage at 89.5% and a stronger penalty kill rate of approximately 65%. This could give them an edge if they can stay out of the box.

Looking ahead to our predictions: I anticipate that Edmonton will secure victory in this contest due to their offensive firepower and recent form; however, I believe New York will cover the spread thanks to its solid defensive metrics which may limit scoring opportunities for Edmonton throughout the match.

In terms of total goals scored in this matchup? I’m leaning towards under six goals being recorded during regulation time based on both teams’ struggles with converting power plays and generating consistent offense during five-on-five situations.

Ultimately, while I expect Edmonton to take home two points tonight against New York’s valiant effort—don’t overlook how close this could potentially be when considering each team’s strengths and weaknesses across various statistical categories.