New York Islanders Looking to Escape the Bottom

The New York Islanders ca make it four wins in a row with tonight’s game against the Red Wings. A game where the Islanders are actually the favorites to win.

It’s been a rough November for the New York Islanders. They lost a ton of games and fell to the bottom of their division, conference, and then the league. But as the Isles started to close out the month things started to look better.

Ending November with two straight wins was fantastic. Starting December off on the same foot was even better. Back-to-back wins against top-seeded divisional opponents. One the defending Stanley Cup champion and the other the defending Presidents Trophy winner.

Momentum is on the Islanders side for once. Which means the Isles are the favorites as they welcome the Red Wings to the Barclays Center this evening

More from NY Islanders News

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• Islanders vs. Wild: Zach Parise returns to Minnesota (lineup, odds, +)
• Islanders vs. Jets Three takeaways: Ilya Sorok(ing) is my name
• Islanders vs Jets: Isles significant underdog in Winnipeg (lines, odds, +)
• Islanders: Brock Nelson Nets 4 in Dominant Win Over Montreal

Money Line for the Game:

New York Islanders -150/+130 Detroit Red Wings

It feels nice to finally be the favorites. But then you realize that it’s against the Detroit Red Wings and you see why. Is it possible to be flattered but disappointed all at the same time?

The Red Wings are in a bit of a slump at the moment, going 3-5-2 over their last 10 games and losing their last two games to start December.

So, yes, the Islanders are favorites for the game, but only because the other team is worse than the Isles are. Not the other way around. It’s a semantical difference , but an important one none-the-less.

The Isles aren’t better they just aren’t as bad. See what I mean? It’s both flattering to be favorites, but disappointing when you understand why.

But with two points tonight the Islanders can, at the very least, leapfrog the Buffalo Sabres in the Eastern Conference. So, buh-bye basement! Hopefully.

New York Islanders Potential Lineup:

Bailey-Tavares-Beauvillier      Leddy-Hamonic
Ladd-Strome-Prince                Hickey-Boychuk
Kulemin-Quine-Chimera        de Haan-Seidenberg
Lee-Cizikas-Clutterbuck         Halak (Greiss)

Detroit Red Wings Potential Lineup:

Tatar-Zetterberg-Mantha     Dekeyser-Green
Nyquist-Larkin-Vanek           Kronwall-Oullette
Jurco-Nielsen-Glendening   Ericsson-Sproul
Miller-Sheahan-Ott               Mrazek (Coreau)

Next: Hockey Night in Canada Has on Opinion on the Isles

Where to Catch the Game:

Live: 6 p.m., Barclays Center 
TV: MSG+
Radio: 970AM – The Answer, 88.7FM – WRHU, 103.9FM – LI News