In this article we will formulate an Islanders vs Penguins prediction for this NHL game on Wednesday, April 17th at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:
- The Islanders recent form and recent player performance
- The Penguins recent form and recent play performance
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving New York
- Recent Betting trends and streaks involving Pittsburgh
- Recent betting trends in games played between New York and Pittsburgh
- A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between New York and Pittsburgh
Islanders Preview
The New York Islanders are 38-27-16 this season after they defeated New Jersey by a score of 4-1 in their last game. New York had their lead cut to 2-1 in the second period, but they scored the final two goals in the game to pull away for the win. The Islanders were out shot by a total of 24-19 and went 1-1 on the power play in the game. New York lost to the Rangers by a score of 3-2 in the game prior to New Jersey, but did win the previous six games. The Islanders are scoring 2.96 goals per game and they are allowing 3.14 goals against per game, while going 19.7% on the power play and 72.1% on the penalty kill. Mathew Barzal has led New York with 23 goals, 57 assists, and 240 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for New York is Ilya Sorokin, who is 24-19-12 this year with a 2.99 goals against average and a .909 save percentage.
Penguins Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 38-31-12 this year after they defeated Nashville by a score of 4-2 in their last game. Pittsburgh had their lead cut to 3-2 in the second period, but they were able to score early in the third to pull away with the win. The Penguins out shot Nashville by a total of 38-30 and went 1-4 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh lost to Boston by a score of 6-4 in the game prior to Nashville, but did beat Detroit before that. The Penguins are scoring 3.07 goals per game and they are allowing 3.00 goals against per game, while going 14.6% on the power play and 81.3% on the penalty kill. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 42 goals, 50 assists, and 275 shots on goal. The projected starting goalie for Pittsburgh is Alex Nedeljkovic, who is 18-6-7 this season with a 2.91 goals against average and a .904 save percentage.
New York Islanders Team Facts
- The underdogs have won each of the last five games between the Penguins and Islanders.
- The Islanders have covered the puck line in each of their last 13 games as home underdogs against the Penguins.
- The Islanders have won the second period in each of their last four games as home underdogs following a road win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 15 of the Islanders’ last 16 games as underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Pittsburgh Penguins Team Facts
- The Penguins have lost three of their last four games as favorites following a home win.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in each of their last six games as favorites following a home win.
- The Penguins have won the second period in each of their last six night games against the Islanders following a win.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in 12 of the Penguins’ last 13 games following a home win.
Islanders vs Penguins Prediction
New York comes into this game after clinching a playoff berth in their last game, while Pittsburgh was eliminated from the playoffs on Tuesday, so neither team is playing for anything here. Pittsburgh has been one of the hottest teams in the NHL over the last few weeks and they almost were able to make the playoffs. New York has also played very well recently and they are at home, where they are 20-10-10. Pittsburgh is 15-17-8 on the road this year and I think they are going to come into this game pretty flat. Like I said before, this game doesn’t mean anything to either team, but I am going with the team headed to the playoffs at home. Take the Islanders.