With a second straight loss to the Senators, the Penguins lost a little bit of ground in the Metropolitan Division race yesterday and it looks like they’ll be without Evgeni Malkin again tonight for their second game in as many nights. The Islanders, their opponents this evening, are coming off yet another win at Madison Square Garden and opened as the +150 underdog against the best home team in the league.
The Isles are a team on the bubble right now and this is the kind of game where earning just a point would be massive for their chances at squeaking in. The problem with that is the Penguins are 29-4-3 at PPG Paints Arena this season and haven’t lost a game in Pittsburgh since February 19.
That’s five consecutive home wins for the Pens, in which they’ve outscored their opponents 23-11 and earned four puckline victories. If you’re looking for a little more value in tonight’s game, the Pens’ puckline is something you should consider. With an 18-18 ATS record at home, Pittsburgh is one of the best puckline bets in the NHL when playing on home ice and you’ll be able to get that -1.5 line for around +150 at most books.
Another bet that’s been a near lock has been the OVER in Penguins’ home games (24-9-3). For those not so gifted in the area of mathematics, that’s a 75 percent cash rate.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Pittsburgh Penguins were listed earlier today as -180 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark (including Sportsbook), while odds makers set the Sportsbook betting total around 5.5.
Prediction-scoring formulas run on this game pick a potential 3.1-2.4 result in favor of the Penguins. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Pittsburgh Penguins currently sport a record of 46-17-10. The New York Islanders are 34-26-12. Betting totals have seen the Penguins post a 42-27-4 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Islanders have gone 37-30-5 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Pittsburgh vs New York injuries news.
The Odds Shark NHL Power Rankings have the Pittsburgh Penguins at No. 10 and the New York Islanders at No. 25 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Pittsburgh's No. 1-ranked offense, averaging 3.47 goals per game, against a Islanders defense that ranks No. 26 at 3.06 goals allowed. The Penguins power play is averaging 22.31% while the Islanders defense kills off 80.6% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Last time out for New York, they were a 3-2 Sportsbook as they battled the Rangers on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Islanders at +133 were rewarded, while the 5 combined goals moved the game UNDER for totals bettors.
In their last action, Pittsburgh was a 2-1 loser on the road against the Senators. Bettors on Ottawa at +127 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (3) sent UNDER bettors home happy as well.
Next Betting Matchups
New York home to Boston, Saturday, March 25th
Pittsburgh home to Philadelphia, Sunday, March 26th