Count on Maple Leafs, Red Hot John Tavares Edging Out Islanders in New Years Eve Shootout

New Years Eve has a loaded slate of NHL action with a handful of exciting matchups timed throughout the day so you can enjoy the last day of the year to the max.

We look to rebound after a tough loss on the Rangers puck line Monday which was downed in the dying seconds of the game by an empty net goal. We have plenty of opportunities to catch fire and get hot on Tuesday.

All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Hockey is a difficult sport to predict so please gamble responsibly.

Bet: Maple Leafs ML (-150), Islanders Maple Leafs Over 6.5 goals (+120), John Tavares Over 0.5 assists (+130)

New York caught Toronto off guard in their first matchup this season with the Islanders scoring six goals in a decisive 6-3 victory over a tired Maple Leafs team. Toronto had played a hard fought game the night prior versus Buffalo but will be prepared this time around.

The Buds have started to struggle after starting off the season hot with losses in three out of their last four games and 31 goals allowed over their last eight games, which is tied with the Blackhawks for second-worst in the NHL during that span. The Islanders have lost four of their last six matchups with 25 goals allowed during that stretch, which should keep the Leafs offence in this game.

I expect a similar game as their last matchup with the Leafs being roughed up for some goals but finding a way to prevail. They'll be without forward Pontus Holmberg, key defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson and captain Auston Matthews, which may have made this line a bit tighter but I do expect the Leafs to learn from their mistakes in their first matchup.

Toronto should get on the board thanks to former Islanders captain John Tavares, who has been red hot lately with six goals and assists for 12 points in his last seven games. He's also excelled when playing against his former team with four goals and five assists for nine points in his last eight games against the Islanders.

He should find the scoresheet but his odds are far too high for just one point so we hope he opts to dish the puck as he's recorded 258 assists in 275 regular season games over the last four seasons.

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