New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders Prediction & Picks – 1/6/2026

The New Jersey Devils are set to visit the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Tuesday night for a key Metropolitan Division matchup. Both teams are separated by just four points in what has been a highly competitive division so far this year. New York, coming off an overtime win, hosts a Devils club that has struggled for consistency in recent weeks. Here, I break down this matchup in the Atlantic Division and give you my Devils vs Islanders prediction.

Our Devils vs Islanders Pick

Game Snapshot

• Matchup: New Jersey Devils vs New York Islanders
• Date & Time: Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
• Venue: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
• Broadcast: ESPN+

Key Storylines

Recent form

The Islanders enter this game with a 23-15-4 record and recent momentum after a 4-3 overtime triumph over the Toronto Maple Leafs. New York has shown grit in tight games, with a strong record in one-goal contests and games extending beyond regulation. On the other hand, the Devils have had an uneven stretch, including a loss to Carolina with unusual miscues and a lack of offensive execution. They will try to get back on track on offense in this matchup.

Goaltending

Ilya Sorokin, returning from injury, is projected to start for the Islanders. Sorokin has posted a 2.55 goals-against average and a save rate of .910, adding experience back to New York’s crease after a multi-game absence. Backup David Rittich delivered solid results in Sorokin’s absence, but the club clearly feels comfortable handing the reins back.

We should see Jacob Markstrom in goal for the Devils. He has a 3.20 GAA so far this season with a save percentage of .888. This has been a disappointing season so far for both Markstrom and the Devils as a whole. He will try and start to turn things around with a strong performance in net here.

Key skaters

On offense, the Islanders’ attack features Bo Horvat’s scoring and Mathew Barzal’s creativity. Notably, 18-year-old defenseman Matthew Schaefer has contributed offensively, though he’s a game-time decision due to illness. His potential absence could blunt New York’s depth scoring, while Horvat is also out for this matchup.

Meanwhile, New Jersey relies on Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Dawson Mercer to generate offense. Hischier has been a reliable goal producer, and Mercer’s recent contributions emphasize his importance. The Devils’ offensive metrics suggest they can find chances, but connecting consistently in this environment will be vital.

Best Player Props

Betting Trends & H2H

• The Islanders are 2-0 against the Devils so far this year.
• New York is 22-20 on the puckline entering this contest.
• New Jersey is 16-25 on the puckline this season.

Devils vs Islanders Model Projection

Final Thoughts

Jay Sanin

Jay Sanin is the GM and Head of Sports at ATS.io. He has been writing about sports gambling since 2013, handicapping tens of thousands of sporting events. He plays sides and totals aggressively across most sports and is more selective in player prop markets. He does his own modeling across most sports, and his family is jealous of how much time he spends on his precious spreadsheets.