The Pittsburgh Penguins get a visit from the New York Islanders as they try to make good on their status as favorites to win the 2013 Stanley Cup.

The Penguins host the Isles, back in the playoffs after an absence, in Game 1 of the best-of-7 series. They are huge favorites, despite the uncertainty of Sidney Crosby's health status.

Supporters of the Islanders have seen them go 24-17-7 so far this season, while the Penguins are at 36-12. In totals betting, the Penguins are 23-24-1, while the Islanders are 26-21-1.



View NY Islanders vs Pittsburgh Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The Penguins were listed earlier today as -242 moneyline favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark (including Sportsbook, while oddsmakers set the Sportsbook total around 5.5.

Penguins vs Islanders props, courtesy of Sportsbook:

Series Price
New York Islanders (Series Price)    +320
Pittsburgh Penguins (Series Price)    -440

Series Correct Score    
New York Islanders 4-0    30/1
New York Islanders 4-1    18/1    
New York Islanders 4-2    9/1    
New York Islanders 4-3    7/1    
Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0    +425    
Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1    5/2    
Pittsburgh Penguins 4-2    7/2    
Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3    4/1    

Total Games in the Series     
4    4/1
5    21/10
6    21/10    
7    9/4    

Total Games in the Series     
Over    5½ (-140)
Under    5½ (+110)

Series Game Spread    
New York Islanders    +1½ (+155)        
Pittsburgh Penguins    -1½ (-190)        

John Tavares 1st Round Points
Over / Under 5

Matt Moulson 1st Round Points
Over / Under 4.5

Brad Boyes 1st Round Points
Over / Under 3.5

Sidney Crosby 1st Round Points
Over / Under 7

James Neal 1st Round Points
Over / Under 5

Evgeni Malkin 1st Round Points
Over / Under 6


Power Rankings:
The Penguins sit at No. 2 in the current NHL power poll here at Odds Shark, while the Islanders sit at a No. 12 on the same chart.



How They Match Up:
The game also pits Pittsburgh's No. 1-ranked offense, averaging 3.4 goals per game, against a Islanders defense that ranks No. 20 at 2.9 goals allowed. The Penguins power play is averaging 24.7% while the Islanders defense kills off 80.3% of their penalties.

The Islanders were a 2-1 loser in their most recent outing on the road against the Sabres. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Buffalo at -110 on the moneyline, while the total score (3) was good news for UNDER bettors.

Pittsburgh won its last outing, a 8-3 result against the Hurricanes on April 27. Bettors who backed the Penguins at -215 on the moneyline won on the day, and the total score (11) sent OVER bettors to the payout window.


New York Islanders Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Buffalo are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4

Pittsburgh Penguins Trends:
When playing on Wednesday are 6-4
Before playing Ottawa are 5-5
After playing Carolina are 7-3
After a win are 8-2

A few Islanders at Penguins trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Islanders last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the NY Islanders last 9 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games at home
Pittsburgh is 15-2 SU in their last 17 games when playing at home against NY Islanders
Pittsburgh is 21-4 SU in its last 25 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing NY Islanders


Next up:
NY Islanders at Pittsburgh, Friday, May 3