In a highly anticipated matchup, the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets are set to face off at Barclays Center on Wednesday night. Both teams are coming off long NBA road trips and will be eager to perform in front of their home crowd.

The Knicks returned from a West Coast swing, where they split four games. Despite the fatigue from their travels, they managed to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 114-109 as five-point underdogs. Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle were instrumental in the victory, combining for 56 points. The Knicks' away record now stands at 8-8, showing their resilience on the road.

On the other hand, the Nets had a tough time on their recent West Coast swing, losing four out of five games. Their sole victory came against the Phoenix Suns, while they suffered defeats against the Nuggets, Warriors, and Jazz. Prior to this road trip, the Nets had an impressive record against the spread, but they struggled in their last five games, managing only one cover. However, the Nets have excelled at home, winning eight of their last ten games at Barclays Center, with each victory coming by a margin of seven or more points.

One player to watch for the Nets is guard Mikal Bridges. While he has been shooting well this season, he has recently struggled from the field, converting only 20-of-60 attempts in his last four games. However, Bridges has shown better shooting form in games at Barclays Center, with a 49.1% shooting percentage.

Looking back at last season's matchups between the Knicks and Nets, the home team emerged victorious in all four games. Three of these games were decided by double-digits, with the closest margin being a seven-point win for the Nets. Considering the Knicks' injury concerns, with Mitchell Robinson out due to an ankle injury and Jericho Sims questionable, the Nets are favored to continue their dominance at home. The pick for this game is the Nets to cover the spread with a +1.5 advantage.

In the NHL, the New York Islanders showcased one of their best performances of the season in a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. This victory ended a two-game losing streak for the Islanders, who have been in excellent form lately. They have earned points in 16 of their last 18 games and secured seven wins in their last ten outings.

Surprisingly, it has been the Islanders' offense driving their recent success. Known for their defensive prowess in recent years, the team has transitioned to a more aggressive style of play. This change is partly due to injuries to key defensemen, with at least one top-four defenseman missing from practically every game this season. However, it is also a result of the Islanders' increased scoring talent. With players like Bo Horvat, Brock Nelson, Mat Barzal, and Noah Dobson in top form, coupled with a strong power play unit, the Islanders can afford to take more risks and engage in high-scoring games.

The Islanders have been consistently finding the back of the net, scoring at least three goals in their last 11 games and averaging 4.5 goals per contest during that stretch. In contrast, the Washington Capitals have relied heavily on their defense and goaltending for success this season. While their offensive numbers are among the worst in the NHL, allowing only 2.79 goals per game has been their saving grace.

Although the Capitals have the advantage of facing a tired Islanders team playing on the second night of a back-to-back, the Islanders' offensive form makes them a formidable opponent. As a result, bettors have the opportunity to back the Islanders at a discount. The pick for this game is the Islanders to secure the win as +105 underdogs.