The Edmonton Oilers are set to face off against the New York Islanders in an exciting NHL matchup on Friday, March 14, 2025. The game will take place at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, with a puck drop time of 7:30 p.m. ET. This game promises to be a thrilling contest as both teams look to secure a crucial win in the regular season.
Team Overview
New York Islanders
- Record: 29-28-7 (65 Points, 6th in Metropolitan Division)
- Recent Form: The Islanders are coming off a three-game California road trip, where they went 1-2-0. They have lost two straight games, including a 4-1 defeat to the LA Kings on Tuesday night. The Islanders are five points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and have a game in hand.
- Key Players:
- Anders Lee: Leading the team with 25 goals this season. Lee is sitting on 498 career points, one point back of Derek King for 13th on the Islanders’ all-time point list.
- Kyle Palmieri: Contributing significantly with his scoring and playmaking abilities. Palmieri will wear an “A” as an alternate captain for home games.
- Ilya Sorokin: Expected to start in goal, Sorokin has been solid for the Islanders this season, providing stability in the net.
Edmonton Oilers
- Record: 37-25-4 (78 Points, 2nd in Pacific Division)
- Recent Form: The Oilers have lost two straight games, including a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. They are playing for seeding in the playoffs, currently seven points ahead of the Vancouver Canucks, the first team outside the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
- Key Players:
- Connor McDavid: Averaging 24 goals and 60 assists this season. McDavid has 13 points (2G, 11A) during a nine-game point streak and 21 points in 16 career games against the Islanders.
- Leon Draisaitl: Leading the NHL with 47 goals this season and second in the league with 98 points. Draisaitl is riding a 16-game point streak with 24 points (12G, 12A) over that span.
- Calvin Pickard: Expected to start in goal, Pickard has a record of 15-7-0 with a 2.76 GAA and a .896 save percentage.
Head-to-Head Matchup
This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season. The Oilers won the first matchup with a score of 4-3 in overtime on November 12, 2024. Anders Lee scored a pair of goals for the Islanders, while Kyle Palmieri also found the back of the net. Connor McDavid had four points (1G, 3A) in the win, and Leon Draisaitl scored a pair of goals, including the OT winner.
Statistical Comparison
Offense
- Edmonton Oilers: Averaging 3.20 goals per game, led by the dynamic duo of McDavid and Draisaitl.
- New York Islanders: Averaging 2.86 goals per game, with key contributions from Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri.
Defense
- Edmonton Oilers: Allowing 2.68 goals per game, ranking 4th in the league in defensive efficiency.
- New York Islanders: Allowing 3.19 goals per game, ranking 28th in the league in defensive efficiency.
Betting Insights
Odds Provided by Sports Odds Direct:
- Edmonton Oilers: -135
- New York Islanders: +120
- Over/Under: 6.0 goals
Game Analysis
Edmonton Oilers: The Oilers have been playing well recently, with strong performances from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Their balanced attack and solid defense make them a formidable opponent. The key to their success will be maintaining their defensive intensity and capitalizing on their offensive opportunities.
New York Islanders: The Islanders have struggled recently, particularly on the road. However, they have the talent to compete with any team on any given night. Anders Lee and Kyle Palmieri will need to lead the way offensively, while the team must improve its defensive efforts to contain the Oilers’ high-scoring offense.
