Jeff (JH-Sportsline) is an 8-time NHL documented handicapping champion at The Sports Monitor of OK. Jeff cashed 62% in the 2020-21 Covid-19 reduced regular season, and was ranked No. 1 in ROI. It was very challenging finding NHL selections, especially with the realignment and quirky schedule. Jeff has shown a profit in Hockey for seven straight seasons. Jeff's Early Bird NHL discount is available through October 10th.
Jeff's 2021-22 NHL Eastern Conference Spotlight Team: New York Islanders (2021 record: 32-17-7, 71 points)
The Islanders have lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Conference Finals for two straight seasons. They bring back mostly the entire roster from last season. The Islanders jettisoned Jordan Eberle to the Seattle Kraken in the expansive draft. New York signed Zach Parise and Zdeno Chara to add to this talented roster. Adding Chara to this suffocating defensive is smart. New York has superstar Mathew Barzal who posted 17 goals and 28 helpers in 55 games last season. In four full seasons, Barzal has 252 points in 289 games. He might reach the 30-goal mark this season. I think Oliver Wahlstrom is on the cusp of a big season after posting 21 points in 53 games last season. Barry Trotz is a brilliant coach. He won the Stanley Cup with the Capitals (2017-18) in his fourth season with the team.
This will be Trotz's fourth season with the Islanders. Since 2019, New York has won five postseason series and 28 total games, second most to the Lightning. The Islanders have more B+ players than any other team in the Eastern Conference. The two goalies are outstanding. Varlamov had a 2.04 GAA and Sorokan posted a 2.17 GAA last season. They just need to stay healthy so the Islanders can rotate those two studs game to game. This is one hungry team playing in the same exact system for four years. The Islanders should win the Eastern Conference this season after Tampa Bay pulls back a tad.
Jeff's New York Islanders Prediction: (48-27-7, #4 seed in East, 103 points)
Jeff's Eastern Conference Season Point Total best bet: New Islanders Over 99.5 points -115 & Montreal Canadians Under 90.5 -125
The Canadians benefited last season from only having to play teams in Canada. With a normal schedule and reduced talent, Montreal will not reach 90.5 points. The Market is way too high on Montreal right now.
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