New York Islanders – Los Angeles Kings: Playoff decider 
It’s going to be a scrap tonight. They’re in different conferences, but both teams have a lot riding on this for the playoffs. Each club still has a shot, but the margin for error is tiny this late in the season.
We break down the form and the late scenarios before this inter-conference clash and give you the pick.
Islanders finding form again 
After a stumble last week the New Yorkers bounced back gritty as hell, back-to-back tight wins over the San Jose Sharks (2-1 OT) and the St. Louis Blues (4-3 OT). The payoff? They nudged past the Boston Bruins to grab 7th in the East.
Since the break Patrick Roy’s side has only played once at home, but it was a big one: they scalped the reigning champs, the Florida Panthers (5-4). Their home form is solid — three shutouts already this season (only two clubs have more).
Injuries: Alexander Romanov and Kyle Palmieri are still sidelined. The coach shuffled lines and dropped Mark Gatcomb (silent for seven games) in favor of Maxim Shabanov on the fourth line — his first action since January. Special mention to Brayden Schenn, who just opened his account in a new jersey.
Kings running hot and cold 
Since the Olympic break the Kings have been seasick: three wins, five losses. Their last two games — a 5-4 OT win over Columbus and a 2-1 OT loss to Boston — went beyond 60 minutes, which tells you they hang in but can’t close out games. They’re 9th in the West, missing the top eight on tiebreakers.
Away from Los Angeles, D.J. Smith’s men still pick up points (in four of their last five road games). The problem is their scoring on the road. At 2.66 goals per away game they’re one of the West’s worst road attacks. Plain fact: on five of their last six road trips they failed to score more than two goals.
To make matters worse the injury list is crowded: Armia and Kuzmenko are out until mid-March, and Kevin Fiala, hurt at the Olympics, is out for the season. The silver lining is that marquee signing Artemi Panarin is delivering (points in five of his last eight games), while Matthew Joseph is still waiting to make his Kings debut.
NHL prediction New York Islanders vs Los Angeles Kings
Tie or Los Angeles Kings win
On paper this looks tight. But one trend leaps out: the Kings have had the Islanders’ number in recent years — Los Angeles have taken eight of the last nine head-to-heads, and the only blot in that stretch was an overtime loss. The psychological edge is clear.
Add that the Islanders have just one regulation win in their last seven games and it becomes obvious New York struggles to finish things in 60 minutes. The Kings keep dragging matches into extra time lately, so the Double Chance X2 (covers a Kings win and a tie at the end of the 3rd) is the smartest, safest play here.
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