PPG Paints Arena is playing host a Metropolitan Division matchup as the New York Islanders face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The matchup will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 7, and fans at home can watch the game live on Sportsnet.
New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh (-145) is currently favored over New York (+125), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-120 money on the under, +100 on the over). After they initially opened at -105 over, -115 under, those O/U odds have shifted.
New York is 16-11 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 5.3 units this year. 18 of its matches have gone over the total, while eight have gone under and just one has pushed. This 2017-18 Islanders team is 8-8 SU on the road.
New York has converted on 21.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 30th overall, and it’s successfully killed off only 75.0 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, the Isles have been called for penalties just 3.7 times per game overall in the 2017-18 season, and 4.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 29.0 saves per game with a .890 save percentage, Thomas Greiss (8-6-2) has been the best option in goal for New York this season. If head coach Doug Weight decides to rest him, however, New York may turn to Jaroslav Halak (8-7), who has a .905 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average this year.
Josh Bailey and John Tavares will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Islanders. Bailey has 31 points on five goals and 26 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 10 different games. Tavares has 17 goals and 14 assists to his credit, and has notched a point in 15 games.
On the other side of the rink, Pittsburgh is 15-14 straight up (SU) and has lost 2.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. 16 of its contests have gone over the total, while 12 have gone under and just one has pushed. It’s 9-4 SU as the home team this season.
The Penguins have converted on 25.7 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s good enough for fourth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Pittsburgh skaters have been penalized 4.7 times per game in total this season, and 4.0 per game over their last five home outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays 8.7 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Matt Murray (26.6 saves per game) has been the top selection in goal for the Penguins. Murray has 12 wins, nine losses, and one overtime loss and has recorded a poor .906 save percentage and 2.95 goals against average this season.
Phil Kessel (13 goals, 21 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the Pens.
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in three of Pittsburgh’s last five games.
New York has managed 30.6 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh has been attempting 40.8 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Over Pittsburgh’s last ten outings, five of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 4-1 in those games).
The Penguins this season have tallied the eighth-most hits per game (23.4), but that average has climbed to 26.4 over their last five home games.
