Vegas Play of the Day: Senators at Islanders

By Jesse Granger

Sunday, April 9, 2017 | 11:40 a.m.

We’ve entered the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.

Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015. Bern stepped away in the middle of the 2016-2017 season with a 16-12 record and $13,317 bankroll, with Mike Grimala taking his place.

Ottawa Senators plus-160 at New York Islanders: $300 to win $480

The New York Islanders are one of the hottest teams in the NHL, currently riding a five-game winning streak. Despite that, and the fact that they’re playing at home, the Islanders might be in one of the worst spots of the season tonight.

Just hours after the Islanders beat the New Jersey Devils 4-2 Saturday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs rallied to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins and clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Now, the day after having their playoff hopes dashed, the Islanders have to face a Senators squad that has already beaten them by scores of 3-0 and 6-2 this season.

The Senators have already clinched the playoffs, but I’m sure they’d like to extend their win streak to four games heading into the playoffs. Goalie Craig Anderson has been spectacular during that stretch, allowing only two goals on 72 shot attempts for a .972 save percentage.

This game should be a pickem at best, so getting plus-160 with the better team is a gift. The fact that the Islanders are less than 24-hours removed from having their postseason dreams crushed is just icing on the cake.

Current Standings: Grimala (6-10, $8,425), Keefer (41-35-3, $8,307), Granger (13-17-1, $6,677), Brewer (27-28-1, $6,685)