Betting tips from AI for Vancouver Canucks vs New York Islanders, 20 January 2026.

Take the New York Islanders on the moneyline 1.71. New York rolls into Rogers Arena with the NHL’s third-best defense and a steady 12-9-3 road record, and iHeart Sports’ model even forecasts a tight 4-3 Islanders win — a sign this is a clean, low-variance moneyline play rather than a lottery ticket.

Vancouver is trending in the wrong direction: league-low points, awful advanced metrics, the most goals allowed and a bleak 4-13-3 home mark cited by analysts. That collapse from preseason 90.5-point expectations makes the Islanders’ 1.71 price the most profitable $1 bet here.

The Vancouver Canucks are in absolute disarray, rightly dubbed the worst team in hockey by analysts, with a dismal 1.04-13-3 home record and the league's most goals allowed. Their advanced stats are simply awful, making them a clear fade for bettors. The New York Islanders, conversely, are exceeding expectations, boasting the NHL's third-best defense and a solid 1.12-9-3 road record. Despite missing their leading scorer, the Islanders have amassed 1.57 points in 1.48 games. Computer models forecast a 1.04-3 Islanders win, aligning with sportsbooks installing them as 1.71 moneyline favorites. All signs point to a comfortable Islanders victory.

The Vancouver Canucks have hit rock bottom this season, establishing themselves as the NHL's cellar dwellers with league-worst points and a disastrous 4-13-3 home record. Their defensive woes are particularly concerning, having allowed more goals than any other team.

In stark contrast, the New York Islanders have exceeded expectations with 57 points through 48 games. Their success stems from the league's third-ranked defense, which should prove formidable against Vancouver's struggling offense. Even without Bo Horvat, the Islanders maintain a respectable 12-9-3 road record.

Computer models from iHeart Sports project a close 4-3 Islanders victory, but given Vancouver's complete collapse from preseason projections, this might be generous to the home team. The 1.71 moneyline for New York represents solid value considering the vast performance gap between these teams.

With sportsbooks installing the Islanders as favorites at 1.70, the market clearly recognizes New York's advantage. Back the Islanders to continue Vancouver's misery at Rogers Arena.

The Vancouver Canucks are in freefall, blasted by analysts as the NHL's worst team with league-low points, abysmal advanced stats, and a porous defense that's allowed the most goals. Their 4-13-3 home record at Rogers Arena is a nightmare, a far cry from preseason hype of 90.5 points. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders are surging with 57 points in 48 games, boasting the league's third-best defense and a respectable 12-9-3 road mark—even without Bo Horvat's scoring punch.

Computer models from iHeart Sports project a close 4-3 Islanders win, endorsing New York on the moneyline at 1.71 and the under 6.5 goals. Sportsbooks agree, listing the Isles as 1.70 favorites with a -1.5 spread in this 6.5 total affair. Bettors are fading Vancouver hard, and for good reason—this mismatch screams Islanders victory.

With $1 on the moneyline, I'm riding the Isles to cash in profitably against a Canucks squad that's lost its way.

The New York Islanders roll into Vancouver as heavy favorites, and the numbers back it up. They boast the NHL's third-best defense and a solid 12-9-3 road record, exceeding expectations with 57 points even without Bo Horvat.

Conversely, the Vancouver Canucks are in a tailspin, labeled the league's worst team with a dismal 4-13-3 home record, awful stats, and the most goals allowed. Computer models project a tight 4-3 Islanders win.

For bettors, the Islanders moneyline at 1.71 offers reliable value against a reeling Canucks squad.

The Vancouver Canucks are in the midst of a historically bad season, and their struggles at home have been particularly glaring. With a dreadful 4-13-3 record at Rogers Arena and the league’s worst defensive metrics, they’re a team that screams fade to sharp bettors. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders continue to defy expectations despite missing Bo Horvat, their leading scorer. Their third-ranked defense and solid road form (12-9-3) make them formidable opponents even in tough environments.

The betting market heavily favors the Islanders, with their moneyline odds sitting at 1.71, while the Canucks are priced optimistically at 2.25. The draw, listed at 4.20, feels like a long shot given both teams’ tendencies to push for results rather than sit back. Computer models project a narrow Islanders win, but the under 6.5 goals line suggests this could be a tightly contested game where Vancouver’s porous defense might still cost them dearly.

While the Islanders' -1.5 spread looks tempting, the safer play is backing them on the moneyline. At 1.71, the juice reflects their dominance, but it’s justified given Vancouver’s inability to stop pucks consistently. Expect the Islanders to grind out a hard-fought victory against an overmatched opponent.