Eyes On Isles
Fansided

New York Islanders: Over-Under Set At 93.5 Points

By Matt O'Leary

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: A general view of the arena prior to the game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 28, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 28: A general view of the arena prior to the game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Second Round during the 2019 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Barclays Center on April 28, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The New York Islanders, coming off a 103 point season have tempered expectations by the oddsmakers. Is the over a good bet?

Last year, nobody expected the New York Islanders to finish with 103 points. They were coming off an 80 point season and their best player left in free agency. How could they be a playoff team?

Well, they defied the odds and were one of the better teams in the league. Not only did they make the playoffs and eclipse 100 points but they won a round, something that previously took 23 years to do.

This year, the Isles are being slept on again. According to Mark Herrmann of Newsday, the over-under is 93.5 for the Islanders.

While it’s pretty clear this team hasn’t improved in free agency, it’s also pretty well documented that they took a lateral step. As Mitch outlined this week, the only real change was Semyon Varlamov for Robin Lehner, which isn’t drastically different.

At 93.5 you’re going to want to hammer the over. Operate under the assumption that Lou Lamoriello is going to make a trade and improve this team. If he does that number is going to go up. You’re going to want to get in on this now when it’s at 93.5.

Even if he does nothing, there’s a real good shot this team can finish with 94 points or more. If the 2018-2019 Islanders were able to finish with 103 there’s no reason to think this team as currently constructed couldn’t finish with nine points less.

There’s a good chance the team regresses this year, would it be by nine points though? Probably not. My way too early guess (that is subject to change) is 97 points. You’d hit the over comfortably and you’ll likely be in a playoff spot with that point total.

Isles Tweet of the Day

Our Stuff

Editorials: Anders Lee expectations for 2019-2020

The New York Islanders re-signed their captain on July 1. What can they expect from Anders Lee in 2019-2020 production-wise?

3 prospects in the top 50. Next

Editorials: Islanders and NHL overvalue 4th liners

The New York Islanders and the rest of the NHL seemingly love to give bottom-six forwards long-term deals. Why is that, when they hold little value?

Home/Editorials