As the series moves to Nassau Coliseum for Games Three and Four, the Islanders have a chance to take the series lead in a critical homestand.
New York is a -120 favorite at home in Game Three, while the underdog Penguins are +104 on the road. Puck drop is at 7:00 P.M. Eastern.
Pittsburgh Penguins Preview
Deadline acquisition Jeff Carter continues to show he was worth the gamble for the Penguins, registering a point in each of Pittsburgh’s first two playoff games. Carter scored nine goals and two assists in 14 games for the Pens after they picked him up at the trade deadline. Continuing that pace provides significant scoring depth behind stars Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, and Evgeni Malkin.
Jarry’s strong performance in Game Two atoned for a brutal effort in Game One, in which he allowed four goals, all to his glove side. His lone goal against on Tuesday was again to his glove side, but it came off a deceptive backhand shot from Josh Bailey. Jarry may have also been screened on the shot.
Malkin is closing in on a return after missing time while dealing with a knee injury, and he may be in the lineup for Game Three. He last played on May 8 and was considered a game-time decision for each of the first two games, so his return is imminent. Backup goaltender Casey DeSmith is not traveling with the team, so the soonest he could return is Game Five.
New York Islanders Preview
New York’s goaltending situation presents an interesting dilemma. Rookie Ilya Sorokin looked a little shaky at times in Game One but got the win while starter Semyon Varlamov was recovering from an injury. However, the Islanders lost with Varlamov between the pipes in Game Two, despite Varlamov being the better goaltender.
“Varlamov has been our number one goalie all year, he’s got seven shutouts… And he’s fully healthy,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “We wouldn’t be maybe in the playoffs if it wasn’t for Varly.”
Mathew Barzal has not registered a point in either of New York’s first two games. As the Islanders’ leading scorer in the regular season (17 goals, 28 assists), the Isles will need their best player to act like it the rest of the series. Barzal’s scored three goals over his final five games, so I expect him to find the scoresheet in Game Three.
On to the Pick
In this pivotal Game Three, I expect the Islanders to take advantage of home ice and take the lead in the series. In front of a home crowd of just over 9,300, the biggest crowd for a sporting event in New York in 14 months, the Isles should feed off that crowd energy and keep their foot on the gas for a full 60 minutes.
New York was 21-4-3 at home this season, while Pittsburgh was 15-12-1 on the road. Take the Islanders to win Game Three.
BETTING PICK: New York Islanders (-120)