The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders play Game 3 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Thursday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. Below, we analyze the Penguins-Islanders odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Penguins scratched out two first-period goals in Game 2, and they hung on for the 2-1 victory to level the series after falling in overtime in the series opener.
The Islanders surprised the Pens in Game 1 in overtime, and it was just one of two victories across the past seven games dating back to May 1 in the regular season.
Penguins at Islanders: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Penguins -110 (bet $110 to win $100) | Islanders -110 (bet $110 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Penguins -1.5 (+230) | Islanders +1.5 (-300)
- Over/Under: 5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
Penguins at Islanders: Projected starting goalies
Tristan Jarry (25-9-3, 2.75 GAA, .909 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Semyon Varlamov (19-11-4, 2.04 GAA, .929 SV%, 7 SO)
Jarry turned aside 37 of the 38 shots he faced in Game 2, helping the Penguins square the series 1-1 before shifting to the Island for the next two games.
Varlamov missed Game 1 due to a lower-body injury, but he was back in Game 2. While he lost, he was impressive, making 43 saves on 45 shots in the 2-1 setback.
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Penguins at Islanders: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Islanders 3, Penguins 2
Money line (ML)
The ISLANDERS (-110) are the pick in Game 3 in this coin-flip game. The books are expecting this one to be super close, and another overtime game wouldn’t be shocking here.
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Against the spread (ATS)
The Islanders +1.5 (-300) will cost you three times your potential return if you are not confident in a straight-up win and want a little insurance. It’s just not worth it.
AVOID, and just play the money line.
Over/Under (O/U)
TOTAL 5 (O: -135, U: +110) is not a recommended play, as I expect this total to come in right on the number. However, UNDER 5.5 (-160) will cost you a little extra on the alternate line, but that’s a better play.
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