Two teams that are struggling but still in the hunt for the Stanley Cup Playoffs will square off on Thursday evening when the New York Islanders travel to Detroit, Michigan to face the Detroit Red Wings at the Little Caesars Arena with the game scheduled to start at 7:00 PM ET and will air on Bally Sports Detroit.

The New York Islanders started off hot in March winning their first four games which were also part of their six-game winning streak, however, since the win against the Anaheim Ducks, New York has gone on a five-game losing streak and has only averaged 1.2 goals per game in their last five games while the Islanders have allowed three or more goals in their last five games and are allowing an average of 4 goals per game over their last five games following Tuesday’s 1-4 loss at home against the Carolina Hurricanes, however, the Islanders have struggled defensively and have inconsistent play from their goalies this season as they are allowing the 10^th most goals per game in the NHL with an average of 3.31 goals allowed per game which has dropped their record to 29-24-15 and 73 points which puts them three points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. 

The New York Islanders will look to improve their offensive and defensive play while making up ground in the Stanley Cup Playoffs race in the Eastern Conference when they travel to face the Detroit Red Wings.

If the playoffs started today, the Detroit Red Wings would be the final Wild Card team in the Eastern Conference as they enter this game with a record of 35-28-6 and 76 points which also gives them a 1-point lead over the Washington Capitals for the Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Red Wings have struggled in March as they have compiled a record of 2-7 this month, but have won two of their last three games including a 4-3 win at home against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday. 

The Red Wings have struggled defensively this month as they are allowing an average of 4.55 goals per game in their last nine games while only averaging 2.22 goals per game. Like the Islanders, the Red Wings will look for better offensive play and defensive play over the next month to improve their chances of being part of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs when they host the New York Islanders on Thursday evening.

WagerWeb has the Detroit Red Wings listed as -115 moneyline favorites at home against the New York Islanders on Thursday evening. The Islanders have won three of the last four games in the series and have won by an average margin of 1.5 goals per game in those contests.

Detroit enters this game having won two of their last three games while New York is on a five-game losing streak, however, New York has dominated the series over the last four meetings winning by an average margin of 1.5 goals per game and winning three of the previous four games in the series which is why I am taking the moneyline for the New York Islanders when they travel to face the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday evening.