The New York Islanders (33-25-8) travel to meet the Pittsburgh Penguins (32-22-9) Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Islanders vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Islanders picked up an important 3-2 win against Buffalo Sabres Tuesday as the Under cashed. With that win over the Sabres, New York moved into the top wild-card spot with 16 regular-season games remaining. The Under is 6-0-1 in the past 7 games for the Isles.
The Penguins are a point behind the Islanders, sitting in the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, although it has 3 games in hand. Pittsburgh picked up a 5-4 win in overtime last time out against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and 3 of the team’s past 6 games have gone to OT, posting 5 wins during the span.
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Islanders at Penguins odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Islanders +125 (bet $100 to win $125) | Penguins -145 (bet $145 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-210) | Penguins -1.5 (+170)
- Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -135 | U: +115)
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Islanders at Penguins projected goalies
Ilya Sorokin (22-18-6, 2.34 GAA, .925 SV%, 5 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (19-7-5, 2.77 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO)
Sorokin has been sharp lately, allowing 3 or fewer goals in each of his past 6 starts. He allowed 2 goals on 24 shots in a 3-2 win against the Sabres last time out, and he is 2-0-0 with a 1.51 GAA and .936 SV% in 2 March outings.
Jarry was hammered for 4 goals on just 12 shots last time out against the Blue Jackets before getting pulled early in the 2nd period in favor of Casey DeSmith. Still, he hasn’t lost in 4 consecutive starts. Jarry is 0-2-0 with a 4.05 GAA and .890 SV% in 2 starts against the Isles this season.
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Islanders at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Islanders 4, Penguins 3
Moneyline
The ISLANDERS (+125) are worth a look as short ‘dogs on the road in the Steel City.
New York has posted 5 wins in the past 7 games overall, while also going 5-2 in the past 7 games inside the Metropolitan Division.
On the flip side, the Penguins (-145) have won just 5 of the past 18 games against Eastern Conference foes, while going just 1-9 in the past 10 games inside the Metro.
Puck line/Against the spread
If you want some insurance, the Islanders +1.5 (-210) will cost you twice as much as your potential return. That’s just too expensive for not enough reward.
PASS, and look to the moneyline instead.
Over/Under
OVER 5.5 (-135) is the way to go now that the total has dropped from 6.5.
The Over has cashed at a 3-0-2 clip in the past 5 meetings in this series. The Over is also 3-1-1 in the past 5 games inside the Metropolitan Division for the Islanders, too.
For the Penguins, the Over is 5-1-1 in the past 7 games against Eastern Conference foes, while cashing at a 4-0-1 clip in the past 5 home outings.
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