New York Islanders (28-24-7) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (27-19-9)
February 20, 2023 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Pittsburgh Penguins -135 / New York Islanders +105; Over/Under: +6
(Get latest betting odds)
The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Monday in NHL action at the PPG Paints Arena. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.
The New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders are averaging 2.9 goals per game and are scoring on 17.4 percent of their power play opportunities. Brock Nelson leads New York with 24 goals, Mathew Barzal has 37 assists and Anders Lee has 159 shots on goal. Defensively, the New York Islanders are allowing 2.8 goals per game and are killing 82.2 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Ilya Sorokin has given up 98 goals on 1,268 shots faced, and Semyon Varlamov has allowed 53 goals on 594 shots.
The Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3.2 goals per game and are scoring on 21.5 percent of their power play opportunities. Sidney Crosby leads Pittsburgh with 25 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 35 assists, and Rickard Rakell has 170 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 3.1 goals per game and are killing 80.5 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Tristan Jarry has allowed 70 goals on 886 shots faced, and Casey DeSmith has given up 83 goals on 864 shots.
Islanders vs Penguins Trends
The Islanders are 1-7 in their last 8 road games and 1-4 in their last 5 overall. The Penguins are 2-11 in their last 13 vs. Eastern Conference and 0-8 in their last 8 vs. Metropolitan. The over is 4-1 in Islanders last 5 overall. The over is 7-3-1 in Penguins last 11 home games. The Islanders are 15-37 in the last 52 meetings in Pittsburgh and 6-2 in the last 8 meetings. The home team is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.
Randy’s Free Pick
The New York Islanders just can’t get out of their own way, and they’re just not a team I’m excited to back much these days, given the struggles. The Pittsburgh Penguins have had their fair share of issues as well, but at least they’re at home here, and you’d think that’s the difference in this game. I’ll lay the reasonable price with the Penguins.
