New York Islanders @ Anaheim Ducks

Islanders’ scoring is becoming role dependent

New York's 5-2 win over Los Angeles ended a four-game winless stretch, but its broader transition efficiency has dipped. Victor Eklund remains a major exception, scoring in four straight games and staying on the first power-play unit with Brayden Schenn, while Ryan Pulock returned without restrictions and recorded two assists and two shots.

Anaheim is losing pace and depth

The Ducks' five-game winning streak and run of eight straight games with at least five goals ended against Nashville, even with Cutter Gauthier extending his goal streak to seven games. Ryan Poehling's move to LTIR removes a transition piece, and Anaheim's own reporting points toward a heavier defend-and-grind identity rather than relying on pure pace.

Center availability favors a tighter game

Jean-Gabriel Pageau remains day-to-day after missing Thursday, while Calum Ritchie remains on injured reserve for New York. Anaheim also lacks Poehling, whose absence creates a depth-scoring and transition void, increasing the likelihood that both teams lean on structure and physicality.

Terry brings upside with a health caveat

Troy Terry practiced on Anaheim's top line with Cole Caufield and Leo Carlsson, and he said he wanted the puck more late after getting through the early portion of his return. His hip has been cleared, but he acknowledged that game speed remains untested, while his debut began on the second power-play unit.

Bottom-pair and fourth-line roles are unfavorable

Anaheim practiced Tyson Hinds alongside Tristan Luneau after Hinds was scratched, while Sam Colangelo remained on the fourth line. New York's Scott Mayfield was described as the apparent No. 8 defenseman after a scratch, making low-usage player props more attractive than assuming broad depth production.

Pick Ideas

Angles drawn from the matchup analysis above and refreshed as the news changes. They are a separate read from the LineCrush pick for this matchup, so the two can land on different sides.

Islanders +1.5

Consider New York +1.5 because its physical, defense-first identity can exploit Anaheim's shift toward grinding after losing Poehling's transition ability. The Ducks' current profile points more toward one-goal outcomes than the high-flying comeback style seen during their scoring streak.

Under 6.5 goals

The under fits Anaheim's defend-and-grind adjustment, its depth-scoring losses, and New York's documented decline in transition efficiency. Pageau's uncertain availability and the Islanders' limited bottom-six offense add further support for a tighter game, despite Gauthier's scoring streak.

Victor Eklund points over

Eklund's four-game goal streak, first-unit power-play role, and productive pairing with Schenn support the over. With New York's offense becoming increasingly concentrated in defined top-unit roles, Eklund is one of the Islanders' clearest avenues to production against Anaheim.

Troy Terry points over

Terry's top-line placement with Caufield and Carlsson gives him a prominent offensive role as Anaheim searches for scoring after Poehling's loss and the end of its eight-game five-goal run. The hip-related game-speed caveat and second-unit power-play debut add risk, so the price matters.

Ryan Pulock shots on goal over

Pulock returned without restrictions, produced two assists and two shots in Los Angeles, and no longer leaves Pelech and Stanley absorbing nearly every shift. With New York trying to restore puck movement while its transition game has dipped, Pulock's expanded role supports a shots-on-goal over.

Tyson Hinds points under

Hinds was scratched and then practiced on a defensive pairing with Luneau, signaling a low-confidence offensive role. Anaheim's injury-driven emphasis on defending and grinding further reduces the case for meaningful point production from a player outside its established scoring group.