PPG Paints Arena is playing host to an enticing matchup as the Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the visiting New York Islanders. This Metropolitan Division matchup gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 19 and it can be caught live on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh.
New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins Odds
Pittsburgh (-130) is currently the favorite over New York (+110), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at an even 6 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
New York is 14-4 straight up (SU) and has earned 9.6 units for moneyline bettors this season. Nine of its contests have gone over the total, while another nine have gone under and none have pushed. The Isles are 5-1 SU as the away team in 2019-20.
New York has converted on 24.2 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. Its penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 84.3 percent of its penalties.
For the team as a whole, New York has been sent to the penalty box just 3.3 times per game in the 2019-20 season, and 4.0 per game over its past ten matchups. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
With a .938 save percentage and 28.7 saves per game, Thomas Greiss (8-2) has been the best option in goal for New York this year. If head coach Barry Trotz chooses to rest him, however, New York may turn to Semyon Varlamov (6-3-1 record, .917 save percentage, 2.56 goals against average).
Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Islanders. Barzal has 17 points on nine goals and eight assists, and has recorded multiple points five times. Nelson has four goals and 10 assists to his nameand has registered at least one point in eight games.
Pittsburgh is 11-9 straight up (SU) and has lost 1.1 units for moneyline bettors this year. 11 of its contests have gone under the total, while eight have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 7-4 SU at home this year.
Pittsburgh has converted on just 14.5 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked second overall, and it’s successfully killed off 89.1 percent of all penalties.
The Penguins have been penalized only 2.7 times per game this season, and 2.0 per game over their last five games. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 5.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Matt Murray has denied 24.4 shots per game as the top netminder in goal for Pittsburgh. Murray has nine wins, seven losses, and two overtime losses to his name and has recorded a 2.37 goals against average and a .913 save percentage this season.
Sidney Crosby (five goals, 12 assists) will lead the attack for the Penguins.
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Free Picks
Free NHL Pick: SU Winner – Penguins, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in three of Pittsburgh’s last five outings.
- New York has managed 28.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Pittsburgh is averaging 37.4 shots per game over its last five at home.
- The Penguins are 5-2 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Islanders are 11-3 SU when they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- Pittsburgh is ranked 17th in the NHL this season with 7.2 takeaways per game. That figure has trended upward recently, as the team has forced 8.3 takeaways over its last 10 games and 10.0 takeaways over its last five.
- New York is averaging 3.7 goals per game in their past three games (the team’s a perfect 3-0 SU during that span)
- New York skaters have forced 5.2 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.7 takeaways per game (ranked 15th overall).
