Next up, the top-seeded Penguins look to avoid the dreaded 0-2 series deficit with a win Tuesday night. Pittsburgh is the favorite at -114, while the underdog Islanders are +132 on the road.
New York Islanders Preview
The Islanders impressed with a Game One overtime road win, getting production from several of their key depth pieces. Palmieri’s OT winner matched his 17-game goal total since being traded to New York at the deadline. Anthony Beauvillier and Oliver Wahlstrom each picked up assists. Leo Komarov had a game-high 14 hits.
However, the big takeaway is the Isles’ goaltending situation. Semyon Varlamov posted a league-leading seven shutouts in the regular season and finished second in save percentage and fourth in GAA. But Varlamov was unable to play in either of the final two regular-season games and missed Game One with a lower-body injury. His status for Game Two is uncertain.
If he can’t go, Ilya Sorokin will go again in Game Two after stopping 39/42 shots in Game One. In the regular season, Sorokin had a 13-6-3 record, along with a 2.17 GAA, a .918 save percentage, and three shutouts.
Other than Varlamov, the Islanders have a clean injury report.
Pittsburgh Penguins Preview
Evgeni Malkin’s absence was noticeable in Game One. The Russian star center provides a dangerous 1-2 punch with captain Sidney Crosby, but he missed considerable time this season, only playing 33 regular-season games (he scored eight goals and added 20 assists when he was healthy). His status for Game Two is uncertain.
Crosby’s second-period goal was the 69th of his career, tying him with Alex Ovechkin for 18th on the all-time list. Patrick Marleau is the active leader with 72.
For Pittsburgh to win Game Two and avoid being down 0-2 as the series moves to New York, Tristan Jarry must be better in net. All four of the goals Jarry let up in Game One were to his glove side, and on one of the early goals, he appeared to duck under the shot. His poor play is a surprise after he posted a 25-9-3 record, a 2.75 GAA, a .908 save percentage, and two shutouts in the regular season.
Joining Malkin on the injury report are defenseman Brian Dumoulin and backup goaltender Casey DeSmith. Dumoulin (undisclosed) and DeSmith (lower body) were both absent from Monday’s practice. Malkin skated with the team but did not take part in line rushes, indicating he may not be ready to take the ice just yet.
On to the Pick
Pittsburgh desperately needs the win. They have one playoff win since the 2017-18 playoffs, that being a single win in the bubble against the No. 12 seeded Montreal Canadiens. In a virtual must-win Game Two, I expect the Penguins to step up and deliver.
Take Pittsburgh to win Game Two at home and send the series to New York tied 1-1.
BETTING PICK: Pittsburgh Penguins (-114)
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