Penguins vs. Islanders Prediction
The Pittsburgh Penguins had an uneven regular season and enter the Eastern Conference playoffs on the road at the New York Islanders. Can Pittsburgh start off the best-of-7 series with a big win?
Game Snapshot
3 Pittsburgh Penguins at 4 New York Islanders
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
Barclays Center at 7:30PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the moneyline is set at a pick’em with both teams listed at -110. The over-under sits at 5.5 goals. As of Wednesday morning, 63 percent of public bets are siding with visiting Pittsburgh. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Crosby, Kessel lead Penguins into playoffs
Pittsburgh finished the regular season with a 44-26-12 record and 100 points to secure a playoff spot. The Penguins lost three of their final five games, but also had their fair share of hot streaks over the last six-plus months. Pittsburgh is led in part by star center Sidney Crosby as he accounted for 35 goals and 65 assists in 79 games. Right winger Phil Kessel tallied 27 goals and 55 assists, while center Jake Guentzel contributed 40 goals and 36 assists. Matt Murray recorded a 29-14-6 record and rebounded from a rough start to the season for a 2.69 goals-against average plus a .919 save percentage. Pittsburgh split the regular season series 2-2 with the Islanders, winning once at home and once on the road.
Islanders lock down playoff spot
New York finished the regular season with a 48-27-7 record and 103 points, good for the fourth-most points in the Eastern Conference. The Islanders come into the postseason on a strong stretch with six wins over their last eight games. Defense and goaltending has been the calling card for New York with Robin Lehner (25-13-5, 2.13 GAA, .930 save pct., 46 games) and Thomas Greiss (23-14-2, 2.28 GAA, .927 save pct., 43 games) sharing net responsibilities. Center Mathew Barzal led the offense with 18 goals and 44 assists, while left winger Josh Bailey accounted for 16 goals and 40 asissts. Center Brock Nelson added 25 goals and 28 assists.
NHL Betting Trends
Pittsburgh
The Penguins are 4-0 in their last four Wednesday games. Pittsburgh is 41-20 in the last 61 meetings.
New York
The Islanders are 0-7 in their last seven Wednesday games. The under is 5-2 in the last seven meetings.
Prediction:
This is a series that could very easily go seven games, but in Game 1 I’m going to take the veterans in Pittsburgh as they know the playoff grind a lot better and won’t have the nervous pressure of of being the home team looking to make some quick noise in the playoffs. Expect Crosby and Kessell to make an impact in a Penguins win.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS -110