In tonight's NHL clash between the Washington Capitals and the New York Islanders, all signs point to T.J. Oshie landing under 2.5 shots on goal. 

As the Washington Capitals make their last-ditch effort to secure a spot in the playoffs, all eyes are on T.J. Oshie and his performance in the upcoming game against the New York Islanders. However, diving deep into the numbers, there's a strong case to be made for betting on the under for T.J. Oshie's shots on goal with a line set at 2.5.

First, let's look at Oshie's season averages. The Capitals' forward is currently sitting at 2.18 shots on goal per game this season. Breaking it down further, his home average is 2.46, while his away average drops to 1.93. Considering that the game against the Islanders will be played at home, one might think Oshie could pull off an above-average performance. However, recent trends suggest otherwise.

In the 56 games played this season, Oshie has had more than 2.5 shots on goal in 19 games, while falling short in 37 games. But it's not just the overall numbers that support the underdog narrative – it's the downward trend in Oshie's recent performances.

Over the last 20 games, T.J. Oshie has averaged 2.05 shots on goal, with only four games exceeding the 2.5 mark. Narrowing it down to the last 10 games, his average plummets to a mere 1.5 shots on goal, with only one game where he managed to surpass 2.5. And in his last five games, he's averaged 1.8 shots on goal, once again only exceeding 2.5 shots in a single game. Clearly, Oshie's recent form isn't exactly inspiring confidence.

Furthermore, when examining Oshie's performance against the New York Islanders specifically, the numbers don't bode well for the Capitals' star. In his two games against the Islanders this season, Oshie has averaged just 2.0 shots on goal, falling short of the 2.5 line we're considering.

It's also important to consider the context of the game itself. The Capitals are under immense pressure to close the gap in the wild card race, currently sitting six points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Islanders, on the other hand, are comfortably sitting atop the wild card standings, and barring any major slip-ups, they're likely to secure a playoff spot.

This pressure could lead to Oshie and the Capitals playing a more conservative game, focusing on team play and defensive efforts rather than individual performances. While Oshie is undoubtedly a key player for the Capitals, it's fair to assume that Laviolette's game plan might not revolve around Oshie's shots on goal, but rather a collective effort to secure a much-needed win.

Pick #4 - T.J. Oshie u2.5 SOG - available on Draftkings @ -190