The injury-ravaged Pittsburgh Penguins (11-7-2) host the New York Islanders (14-3-1) Tuesday at PPG Paints Arena. The puck is scheduled to drop shortly after 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Islanders-Penguins odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Islanders at Penguins: Projected starting goalies
Semyon Varlamov vs. Matt Murray
Varlamov allowed four goals in each of his last two outings but still went 1-0-1 to pick up three points. He is 6-2-1 through nine starts while splitting time with Thomas Greiss. He has a .917 save percentage and a 2.56 goals against average.
Murray is 9-4-2 through 16 games played (all starts) with a .913 SV% and a 2.37 GAA. He stopped 19 of 21 shots in a loss against the New Jersey Devils his last time out.
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Islanders at Penguins: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Prediction
Islanders 3, Penguins 2
Moneyline (ML)
The ISLANDERS (+110) are winners of three straight and 13 of their last 14. They’re 5-1-0 on the road and are plus-16 (58-42) overall in goal differential. The Penguins have lost two of their last three and four of their last seven, but they beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 at home Saturday. They have a goal differential of plus-17 (67-50).
Pittsburgh won the first meeting of the year between the two Metropolitan Division rivals, but it was with a healthier roster. C Sidney Crosby (groin) and D Kris Letang (lower body) are out of the lineup Tuesday. Take the visitors and turn a profit of $11 on a $10 bet.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Four of the Penguins’ last five games were each decided by single goals with three of them going to extra time (overtime or a shootout). Seven of the ISLANDERS’ (+1.5, -250) last 13 victories and their one loss in that time were each by single goals. These two teams play tight games and will square up again Thursday in a quick rematch.
New York is 10-8 against the spread overall and 4-2 as the road team. Pittsburgh is 9-11 overall and 4-7 at home. The moneyline is far more profitable for the Isles, but the puck line is a safer play.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Islanders to win outright or lose by no more than a goal will return a profit of $4.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER (5.5, -106). The Islanders are 7-3 against the Over/Under across their last 10 games with the Penguins 4-6 in the same span. Murray should be able to slow the New York offense with the Islanders well-equipped to limit the offensive output of the Pens without Crosby.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 56-56
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