The New York Islanders (8-4-3) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (7-6-1) Thursday for a 7 p.m. ET puck drop. Below we analyze the Islanders-Penguins NHL odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Islanders at Penguins: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Islanders +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Penguins -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Islanders +1.5 (-275) | Penguins -1.5 (+220)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Islanders at Penguins: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov (7-2-2, 1.89 GAA, .931 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (3-5-1, 3.74 GAA, .875 SV%)
Varlamov is expected to be in the crease for the third time this season against the Pens. He allowed three goals on 31 shots in a 4-3 Feb. 6 victory against them and three goals on 35 shots in a 4-3 shootout loss against the Pens Feb. 11, also at Nassau Coliseum.
Jarry will get a chance to redeem himself for a 4-3 loss Feb. 6, on the road against the Islanders. He allowed four goals on 26 shots in that outing. He has allowed three or more goals in each of his past five starts, and he has struggled to come anywhere near his All-Star form of a season ago.
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Islanders at Penguins: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Islanders 5, Penguins 3
Money line (ML)
The ISLANDERS (+105) are the play in this one, as Varlamov has been red-hot this season. The Penguins (-125) just haven’t been getting very consistent goaltending from Jarry this season, and that’s the difference here. Look to Varly and the Isles to get it done on the road. The Isles have won seven of the past nine meetings in this series, including four of the past five in Pittsburgh.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Islanders +1.5 (-275) are just too expensive on the puck line, so take them straight up instead. The road team has won five of the past seven in this series, so there is no need for insurance. AVOID.
Over/Under (O/U)
The OVER 5.5 (-115) is the best play on the board here, as Jarry will cough up plenty of goals. In fact, the Islanders have a chance to come very close to hitting the Over all on their own. The biggest worry with taking the Over is Varlamov, and how hot he has been this season. But the Over is 5-0 in the past five meetings between these two teams, so keep hitting the Over until the Under starts to come through on a regular basis.
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