Nassau Coliseum plays host to an enticing matchup as the New York Islanders welcome the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s the fourth and final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. This Metro Division matchup gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Monday, December 10, and it will be broadcasted live on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders Odds
Pittsburgh (-135) is the favorite over New York (+115), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-130 for the over, +110 for the under).
Netting moneyline bettors 4.8 units, the Islanders are 14-14 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked 3rd in the Metropolitan Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 35-47 record from the 2017-18 season campaign. Of its 28 regular season outings, 15 have gone under the total, while 11 have gone over and just two have pushed. The team’s 7-6 SU at home this season.
New York has converted on just 15.1 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that’s ranked 27th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated 22nd overall, and it’s successfully killed off 77.3 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, New York has been penalized 4.0 times per game overall this season, and 2.8 per game over its last five outings home outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over its last 10 matchups, overall.
Averaging 25.4 saves per game with a .918 save percentage, Thomas Greiss (12-7-1) has been the primary option in goal for the Islanders this season. If they, however, choose to give him a breather, head coach Barry Trotz may go with Robin Lehner (4-8-8 record, .913 save percentage, 2.79 goals against average).
Josh Bailey and Mathew Barzal will both be offensive focal points for the Islanders. Bailey (23 points) has produced seven goals and 16 assists and has recorded two or more points in six different games this year. Barzal has three goals and 19 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 16 contests.
Pittsburgh has lost 14.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year and is currently 12-16 straight up (SU). Through 28 regular season matches, 12 of its games have gone over the total, while an additional 12 have gone under the total and just four have pushed. As an away team, Pittsburgh is 5-8 SU so far.
Pittsburgh has converted on 24.4 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s good enough for ninth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked eighth overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
Pittsburgh’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.4 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Casey DeSmith (2.43 goals against average and .923 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Pittsburgh. DeSmith is averaging 25.3 saves per game and has eight wins, 11 losses, and four overtime losses to his credit.
For the visiting Penguins, the offense will run through Evgeni Malkin (10 goals, 23 assists) and Phil Kessel (12 goals, 21 assists).
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner \u2013 Penguins, O/U \u2013 Under
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in four of New York’s last five games.
- The Penguins are 5-7 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Islanders are 3-8 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- Pittsburgh is 0-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while New York is 1-2 in shootouts.
- New York is ranked 22nd in the NHL with 6.8 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended upward lately, as the team has created 7.6 takeaways over its last 10 games and 9.4 takeaways over its last five.
- Pittsburgh has averaged 8.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.9 takeaways per game (ranked seventh in the NHL).
- New York might hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 6-4 in games decided by one goal, while Pittsburgh is 3-8 in such games.
