The NHL is set for exciting matchups on December 29, 2024, featuring the New York Islanders versus the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vancouver Canucks facing off against the Seattle Kraken. Each game presents pivotal moments for teams striving for wild-card spots.
Starting with the Islanders and Penguins, the game will commence at 03:30 MSK at the UBS Arena. The Islanders, struggling with their form, have recorded only 13 wins across 35 games, landing them at 13th place in the Eastern Conference with 33 points. Their recent performance has seen them lose three out of their last four games, including a stunning 7-1 defeat to the Buffalo Sabres just before the Christmas break.
Conversely, the Penguins have experienced a revival after starting the season poorly. Coach Mike Sullivan has guided them out of their slump, landing them at the 9th position with hopes of entering the playoff zone. They secured a strong 7-3 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers prior to the break, marking their recovery from earlier challenges.
When these teams last met earlier this season on November 6, the Islanders triumphed over the Penguins 4-3 after a shootout. Historically, their encounters have been compelling, with the potential for significant scoring.
Based on recent stats, the Penguins have tended not to score more than two goals in the majority of their last nine away games. They have scored less than three goals in six of them. Meanwhile, the Islanders have been leaking goals, conceding more than two goals consecutively for six games, which suggests either team could take advantage of defensive lapses.
Moving on to the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken matchup, scheduled for 00:00 MSK, this game will also play out at Rogers Arena. The Canucks, currently placed 8th with 41 points, have struggled for consistency. They recently faced three consecutive losses before narrowly defeating the San Jose Sharks 4-3. The Canucks' inconsistency could play against them, making them a team to watch closely.
The Kraken, at 12th place with just 32 points, have exhibited severe difficulties, losing five games in succession. Their latest game ended with a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, compelling them to re-evaluate their strategies.
This season, the Canucks and Kraken have yet to meet. During their pre-season encounters, both teams exchanged victories, which could indicate even competition. Statistics favor the Canucks, who maintain more offensive capabilities, scoring over two goals frequently at home.
Analysts from FONBET have placed the odds slightly favoring the Islanders against the Penguins with payouts of 1.65 for total wins and 2.10 strictly within regulation. The Penguins are positioned at 2.25 for total wins, and betting on more than 5.5 total goals is offered at 1.75.
For the Vancouver versus Seattle matchup, the odds similarly favor the Canucks, listed at 1.75 for overall victory and 2.20 to win during regular time. The Kraken's struggles are reflected with payouts of 2.10 for total wins and 2.80 for winning all three periods.
Predictions indicate both Islanders versus Penguins and Canucks against Kraken could see high scores, especially with the greater-than-5.5 goals bet being fruitful for both matchups. The Islanders-Penguins match has seen more than 5.5 goals scored regularly, making this game potentially thrilling for fans and bettors alike.
For the Islanders-Penguins game, bets favor the total score exceeding 5.5 with odds at 1.75, and especially 6.5 goals at odds of 2.35. The Canucks are similarly favored for their home edge, strongly signaling their anticipated victory over the Kraken. With such fierce playoff contention, every point is golden, and the stakes could not be higher for each team involved.
