In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders clash at the Barclays Center in a Metro Division showdown. AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh will showcase the action, which gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 1.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders Odds
Pittsburgh (+130) is playing the role of underdog to Pittsburgh (-150), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -115 money on the over and -105 on the under.
New York is 6-5 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 4.6 units this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Metropolitan Division so far this season, is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2017-18 season (35-47). Among its 11 games this season, five have gone under the total, while five have gone over and none have pushed. The team’s 1-2 SU at home so far this year.
The Islanders have converted on 23.5 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 16th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 78.8 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Islanders have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game this season, a number that’s regressed some from the 3.4 penalties per game they were whistled for last year. After serving an average of 7.8 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for a taxing 11.4 minutes per outing this year.
Averaging 29.6 saves per game with a .928 save percentage, Robin Lehner (4-3-1) has been the best goalkeeper for New York this year. If the Isles, however, choose to give him a rest, the team could go with Thomas Greiss (4-2-2 record, .933 save percentage, 2.27 goals against average).
Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Islanders. Barzal (12 points) has put up one goal and 11 assists and has recorded two or more points three times this year. Bailey has two goals and 10 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in eight contests.
Losing 2.8 units for bettors taking the moneyline, Pittsburgh is 6-4 straight up (SU) overall thus far. A total of five of its contests have gone over the total, while four have gone under the total and just one has pushed. As the visiting team, the Penguins are 4-1 SU so far.
The Penguins have scored on 25.9 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked sixth overall and it’s successfully killed off 86.2 percent of all penalties.
Pittsburgh’s skaters have been penalized only 3.2 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 4.0, which was the eighth-highest mark in the league. After serving an average of 9.4 penalty minutes per game a year ago (ninth-most in the league), the team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for only 6.7 minutes per outing this season.
Matt Murray (29.3 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Pittsburgh. Murray has four wins and two losses to his credit, and has registered a .893 save percentage and 3.76 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Penguins, the offense will be coordinated by Evgeni Malkin, who has 13 assists and six goals this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
After posting a 2-2 record in games decided by a shootout last year, Pittsburgh is off to a 0-1 start in shootouts this season. New York was 3-3 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
The total has gone under in three of New York’s last five outings.
New York has scored 3.3 goals per game overall this season, but has upped it to 4.7 per match up over its three-game winning streak.
Pittsburgh skaters registered 24.6 hits per game last season, while the Islanders logged 22.1 hits per contest.
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