New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins Preview

Islanders Aiming for a Fourth Straight Win in Pittsburgh

The New York Islanders are riding an eight-game point streak with a 5-0-3 record over their last eight games that includes a 5-0-1 run over the team’s last six outings. The Islanders will try to stay hot Thursday night with a road win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.

New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins
  • Date/Time: February 18, 7 p.m. ET
  • Arena: PPG Paints Arena
  • TV Coverage: MSG+, ROOT
  • Sportsbook Odds: Penguins -133 | O/U 5.5 (Line History)
  • Islanders vs Penguins Matchup Report

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Penguins opened as -133 favorites at home in this matchup but have been bet down slightly to Pittsburgh -120 at home. New York will try to pull off an upset as a +100 road underdog. The total is set at 5.5 goals as the UNDER is 12-5 in the Islanders’ last 17 games.

New York News & Notes

Semyon Varlamov got a rare night off in the second night of a back-to-back on Tuesday night on the road against the Buffalo Sabres. Backup goaltender Ilya Sorokin got the job done in goal, stopping all 20 shots he faced for his first win of the season as the Islanders improved to 8-4-3 with a 3-0 victory. Anders Lee tallied twice in the win to take over the team lead with seven goals.

The Islanders also have three players with six goals in Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Jordan Eberle and Mathew Barzal, who also has nine assists to lead the team in points with 15. But the team’s shining star continues to be Varlamov, as the veteran goalkeeper is leading the way with a 7-2-2 record, a 1.89 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage.

Pittsburgh News & Notes

Pittsburgh had a two-game winning streak snapped in a 3-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night. It was the Penguins’ first loss at home after the team started the season with five straight wins at PPG Paints Arena.

The Penguins enter a two-game stretch against the Islanders with a 7-6-1 record despite the fact they’ve been outscored 50-41 on the season.

All but one of the Penguins’ seven wins have come by only a one-goal margin. Pittsburgh is tied with the Capitals and the San Jose Sharks for the third-worst goals-against average in the NHL at 3.57 as both Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith have failed to find much traction in goal. The Penguins currently sit in fifth place in the East Division.

Betting Pick: New York +100

Pittsburgh has often found ways to squeak out close wins at home this season. But it’s tough to pass on a team as hot as the Islanders getting underdog odds in this one.

Shark Bites
  • New York is 7-0-2 in its last 9 games vs Pittsburgh.
  • Pittsburgh is 6-1 in its last 7 home games.
  • The UNDER is 10-2 in New York’s last 12 road games.
NY is 7-0-2 SU in its last 9 vs PIT. PIT is 6-1 SU in its last 7 home games.home The UNDER is 10-2 in NY’s last 12 road games.away
Back to Top