The New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins battle at Nassau Coliseum in Game 1 of the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The opening face-off takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 10, and it can be caught live on NBC Sports Network.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders Odds
New York heads into the contest as the slight favorite with a moneyline of -115. The line for Pittsburgh sits at -105, and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at an even 6 goals (-120 money on the under, +100 on the over).
Earning 17.9 units for moneyline bettors, New York is 48-34 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That win percentage, ranked fourth in the NHL so far in this young season, is a huge turnaround from what the team managed during the 2017-18 season (35-47). Out of its 82 regular season contests, 50 of them have gone under the total, while 27 have gone over and just five have pushed. The team is 24-17 SU at home this season.
The Islanders have converted on just 14.5 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that puts them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 79.5 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 26.7 saves per game with a .930 save percentage, Robin Lehner (26-20-5) has been the primary goalkeeper for New York this season. If New York chooses to give him the night off, however, it could turn to Thomas Greiss (26-17-17 record, .927 save percentage, 2.28 goals against average).
Pittsburgh has lost 14.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 44-38 straight up (SU). Through 82 regular season contests, 41 of its games have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just six have pushed. As the visiting team, the Penguins are 21-20 SU.
The Penguins have scored on 24.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully defended 79.7 percent of all opponent power plays.
Matt Murray (2.69 goals against average and .919 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Pittsburgh. Murray is averaging 29.3 saves per game and has 29 wins, 21 losses, and six OT losses to his credit.
Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders Free Picks
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Penalties and power plays may be extremely important in this one. The Penguins are 15-16 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 35-24 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Islanders are 19-12 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 37-23 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
- Two of Pittsburgh’s last ten games have ended in a shootout. The team is 1-1 in those games and 2-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- New York might have an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 19-13 in games decided by one goal, while Pittsburgh is 14-17 in such games.
- The under has hit in four of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
- Pittsburgh is ranked 16th this season with 10.0 giveaways per game. That figure has trended upward recently, as the team’s averaged 11.9 giveaways over its last 10 games and 12.2 giveaways over its last five.
- New York is ranked 21st this season with 11.6 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as the team’s averaged 16.6 giveaways over its last 10 games and 17.6 giveaways over its last five.
- This game features two of the more aggressive teams in the league. Pittsburgh skaters have accounted for the second-most hits in the league (28.8 per game) and the Islanders have registered the ninth-most (24.8).
