The New York Islanders sent fans at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum home happy in Game 1 of their first-round series vs the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Isles have an opportunity to grab a stranglehold with Game 2 set for Friday. Sportsbooks opened the Islanders as +110 home underdogs with a total of 5.5.
Penguins vs Islanders Game Center
Standout Stats
- Even though these teams met four times in the regular season, Game 1 was the first time they’d played each other in four months. Josh Bailey’s goal 4 1/2 minutes into overtime was good enough to lift the Islanders to a victory in their first time hosting a Game 1 of a postseason series in 31 years.
- Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, who was playing in his third game since missing more than 2 1/2 weeks due to injury, scored on the power play and added an assist in Game 1 to give him three goals and 13 points in seven playoff matchups vs the Islanders.
- Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner fared well in his first career postseason start, as the 27-year-old made 41 saves in the 4-3 victory. Penguins netminder Matt Murray allowed four goals on 33 shots in the losing effort.
- Pittsburgh has a history of failing to cover the spread against New York. The Penguins are 1-9 on the puckline in their past 10 meetings with the Islanders, including Game 1. Sportsbook is dealing the Penguins’ -1.5 number at +220 for Game 2.
- New York has had some problems stringing together consecutive wins at home, however. The Islanders are 2-5 SU in their last seven contests in their own rink when winning the previous home game.
My best bet for Penguins-Islanders
Penguins moneyline
The Islanders looked like the better team for the majority of Game 1, but I think the Penguins will even the series up tonight and head back to Pennsylvania tied up at one game apiece. The Penguins are a playoff-proven team and are simply too talented to go down 2-0 in the first round, so take Pittsburgh on the moneyline.
The total has gone UNDER in seven of the Penguins’ last nine games on the road (avg. combined score: 5.33).away The Penguins are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games as favorites vs the Islanders. The Penguins are 5-1 SU in their last six games on the road after losing their most recent road game.away
