Islanders vs Bruins Odds, Picks, and How to Watch
- On Thursday, the Boston Bruins (22-12-6) host the New York Islanders (27-11-4) on NESN and MSG+ at 7 PM EST
- Both teams made major additions at the NHL trade deadline
- Here are the odds, team previews, and the best value bet available
Thursday’s game between the Islanders and Bruins is the definition of a coin flip. The oddsmakers have made Boston a slight favorite in the Islanders vs Bruins odds on April 15th, 2021 at TD Garden. Both teams will be showing off their new additions from the NHL trade deadline. Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri have are fitting in comfortably with the Islanders, while Taylor Hall was solid in his first game with Boston.
The Islanders are expected to start Semyon Varlamov, while the Bruins are slated to have Tuukka Rask back from the injured reserve.
New York Islanders vs Boston Bruins Odds – April 15th
| Team | Spread | Moneyline at DraftKings | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Islanders | +1.5 (-278) | -103 | O 5.5 (+118) |
| Boston Bruins | -1.5 (+225) | -114 | U 5.5 (-143) |
Odds as of April 14th
Let’s explore the two teams to try and find some separation along with the best value bet on the board.
Taylor Hall Enjoying Life With The Bruins
Taylor Hall was shipped from the last place Buffalo Sabres to the Bruins for Anders Bjork and a second-round pick. The move was aided by Hall’s no-trade clause. He confirmed Boston was his number one choice, and he hopes to play in the city for years to come.
In Hall’s debut with his new team, he actually faced the Sabres and earned a win. He finished with three shots, one hit, and a +1 rating. With Boston’s top unit of Marchand-Bergeron-Pastrnak set, Hall skated alongside David Krejci and Craig Smith.
Hall just got a "woaahhh" from Marchand after snapping one under Rask's pad off the wing.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) April 13, 2021
Seeing Hall skate on a second line with good, not great players really drove home part of the issue in Boston. The depth they are so used to having just isn’t there this season. They’ve become more of a one-line team and expecting Hall to change that is a big ask. The reality is he has only two goals this season, and is being put in a tough spot. Boston sits fourth in the East Division one spot ahead of the New York Rangers. The Bruins have a goal differential of +6 while the Rangers are +24.
If Hall doesn’t help improve Boston’s offense, it’s more than likely he’ll be watching the playoffs from home even after the big trade.
Islanders Added Perfect Pieces Prior to Deadline
The Islanders lost captain Anders Lee for the season, and many expected they’d make a splash. How could they not? A team competing both for the division crown and the Presidents’ Trophy needed a boost. General Manager Lou Lamoriello paid a package of draft picks and players and landed both Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils.
While the Hall addition in Boston seems more like a prayer he’ll rekindle his old scoring ways, the Palmieri addition is a home run. He fits in perfectly with the Islanders’ brand of defensively responsible, hard-nosed hockey.
Introducing…
#️⃣2️⃣1️⃣ – Kyle Palmieri
#️⃣1️⃣4️⃣ – Travis Zajac pic.twitter.com/zbzMOi5HmF— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 8, 2021
New York didn’t need much help. They have a 27-11-4 record and have one of the best coaches in the NHL in Barry Trotz. There’s a chance these two meet in the first round of the playoffs which could bode well for the Islanders. They enter this game with a 5-0 edge in the season series.
Islanders vs Bruins Best Bet
Fool me once, shame on you, fool me six times… well you get the point. After five straight wins over the Bruins, it’s time to believe Trotz and his unit have the recipe to beat Boston. Rask is expected to play but has suited up just once since March 7th. A well-oiled machine against a thin lineup with a rusty goalie? Give me the road team on the moneyline on April 15th.
The Pick: New York Islanders Moneyline (-103)
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Ryan has been working at TSN for over eleven years, and is now a lead writer and content producer at That's Hockey. Over the years, he's launched and hosted TSN's first NCAAF podcast, The College Football Show, and been featured on the likes of TSN 1050, Sportscentre, and That's Hockey 2Nite.
