Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Islanders versus the Penguins? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. This Metropolitan division matchup has an over/under of 5.5 goals, and the Penguins are favored by -1.5 at home vs. the Islanders.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS PITTSBURGH PENGUINS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -1.5

This game will be played at PPG Paints Arena at 7:00 ET on Tuesday, February 20th.

WHY BET THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS:

  • The Penguins enter this game as 1.5-goal favorites and in our projections and we anticipate them winning by a score of 4-3.
  • Take the Penguins on the moneyline
  • On the spread, we like Islanders (+1.5)

Can New York Deliver Being Underdogs on the Road?

With a record of 22-19-14, the Islanders are in 5th place in the Metropolitan Division and 10th in the Eastern Conference. On the road, New York has gone 9-11-5 this season. Over their last ten games, the Islanders have gone just 3-7 and have lost their last three games.

As the underdog, the Islanders have gone 10-10-9 this season and have been the underdog in 28 of their 54 games. When playing other Eastern Conference teams, New York has gone 15-16 this season. In their last five games, the Islanders have gone 2-3.

On the road this season, the Islanders have a puck line record of 14-11 and their average scoring margin is at -0.6 goals per game. So far, they have 15 losses by multiple goals and 17 by just one goal. New York’s puck line record as the underdog is at 20-8, and their average scoring differential when in that role is at -0.8 goals per game.

In their last ten road games, the Islanders have a puck line record of just 3-7, and their puck line record for the season is at 26-28. Across their last five games, New York’s puck line record is at 3-2, and for their last ten games, it is at 4-6. So far, the Islanders have been the underdog in 28 games, and their puck line record in those games is at 20-8.

For the season, New York’s games have finished with an average of 6.4 goals per game. Their average over/under line for the season is 6. Overall, the Islanders have an over/under record of 30-21-3.

Across their three previous road games, New York has an puck line mark of 1-2. Their straight up record in these matchups was 1-2 while averaging 3 goals per game.

On offense, the Islanders are averaging 2.9 goals per game which is 23rd in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are 21st in the league. This year, the Islanders have recorded a 7-8 record in games where they outshoot their opponent. For games with fewer shots on goal, they have a 15-11 record.

The leading scorer for New York’s offense is Brock Nelson. Coming into the game he has 23 goals, ranking 29th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, Nelson has 20 assists this season.

The Penguins defense is currently 24th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 30 shots per game against Pittsburgh. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 1st with 7 shutouts.

Goalie Semyon Varlamov gets the start and has made 16 starts this season. His record at this point is 6-6, and his save percentage is 0.538%.

Is A Home Victory Likely for Favored Pittsburgh?

At home this season, the Penguins have gone 13-10-3, but they have lost two straight games at home. In the Eastern Conference, Pittsburgh is in 12th place and 7th in the Metropolitan Division. Overall, the Penguins have a record of 24-21-7.

Over their last ten games, the Penguins have gone just 3-7, and they are 1-4 in their last five games. As the favorite, Pittsburgh is 16-14-4 this season, and they have been favored in 34 of their 52 games.

At home, the Penguins have gone 12-14 against the puck line this year and their average scoring margin is +.3 goals per game. So far, the team’s puck line record is 25-27, including going 4-6 against the puck line in their last ten games.

Overall, Pittsburgh has been the favorite in 34 games and their puck line record as the favorite is 13-21. They have 17 wins by multiple goals and their average scoring margin when favored is +.4 goals per game.

This season, Pittsburgh’s games are averaging 5.6 goals per game. Their average over/under line is 6.3. The Penguins currently have an over/under record of 18-31-3.

Through their last three road contests, the Islanders offense has averaged 3 goals per game while allowing an average of 3. New York posted an overall record of 1-2 while going 1-2 ATS.

Offensively, the Penguins come into the game at 2.9 goals per contest placing 28th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are in 13th position in the league. So far this year, the Penguins are 16-13 in games they have had more shots on goal than their opponent. They are 7-8 in games with fewer shots on goal.

Pittsburgh’s leading goal scorer is Sidney Crosby. So far this season, he has 31 goals, placing him 8th in the NHL. Along with his scoring, he has come up with 24 assists so far.

Defensively, the Penguins come into the season ranked 24th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 30 shots per game against Pittsburgh. For the season, they are ranked 1st in shutouts, coming in with 7 shutouts.

Goalie Tristan Jarry gets the start and has made 35 starts this season. His record at this point is 14-17, and his save percentage is 0.84%.