The Islanders have been struggling coming out of the gate after their eastern conference finals run of last season. They sit at the 4 seed in the eastern division with 12 points through 11 games. They went through a 5 game slump where they only came away with 2 points and went 0-3-2 in that span. They have since gathered a little momentum and won 2 straight games against the Penguins and cross-town rival Rangers.
The Penguins are in a similar boat as they are the 5th seed in the eastern division with 11 points. Stars Jake Geuntzel and Evgeni Malkin have not lived up to past seasons of greatness as they have both combined for only 14 points total. Sidney Crosby has 10 points by himself. If the Penguins want to go anywhere this season, they’re going to have to light a fire under their other two first liners and their struggling defense.
New York State of Mind
The Islanders have finally gotten out of their slump over the past week. They beat this same Penguins team 4-3 only a few days ago and then shut out the Rangers 2-0 on Monday night. The Islanders don’t really have a full-blown superstar like Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby or Conor McDavid, but all of their guys get equal opportunities. Forwards Brock Nelson and Captain Anders Lee have had lackluster seasons having 10 combined points, but it’s being forgiven by guys like Mat Barzal and Jordan Eberle, who have been spark plugs when needed for this Islander team.
The Islanders have been the favorite in only one of the past six games and covered the puck line by half a goal. The Islanders are a middle of the pack team when it comes to covering the spread as they are 5-6. They are, however, one of the worst teams for hitting the over, as they have hit the over only 3 times throughout their first 11 games this season.
Just Another Underperforming Pittsburgh Team
The Penguins’ first line woes have shaped their season thus far. With Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin struggling like they never have before, only accumulating 3 less points combined than their center, Sidney Crosby, has by himself. The inconsistent, sloppy goaltending by goalies Tristan Jarry, who is giving up an abysmal 3.95 goals a game on a .85% save percentage, and backup goaltender Casey Desmith who is giving up 2.85 goals a game with a .88 save percentage, has proven to be fatal in some of the Penguins one-goal losses this season.
The Penguins are a bottom 5 team in Hockey, covering the spread with a record of 4-7 through the first 9 games. They, however, are a top 10 team hitting the over this season, with a record of 7-4, and the over has hit in 2 of their last 5 games, and one of those overs was against this same Islanders team.
Betting Odds and Lines
Draftkings has the odds set with the Islanders being favored by 1.5 with the over/under being set at 5.5.
Free pick of the night:
Free pick of the night is Penguins +1.5 and the over of 5.5.
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