Free NHL Hockey Prediction: Islanders vs Penguins NHL Odds
Looking for New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins free hockey plays & NHL Odds? NHL betting sees the Islanders taking on the Penguins on Tuesday, May 18th, 2021 at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey games all season long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions like this Islanders Penguins matchup.
NHL Handicapping Analysis
(32-17-7) (1-0) New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (0-1) (37-16-3)
Date: Tuesday, May 18th, 2021
Time: 7:30pm ET
Venue: PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Islanders +110 Penguins -130
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Islanders +1.5 -230 Penguins -1.5 +195
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
Tuesday night playoff action brings us game 2 of this series. Game 1 went to overtime and the Islanders got a game winning goal from Kyle Palmari, to grab the lead in the series.
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders will be full of confidence coming into game 2. Winning game 1 is always super important but when you can win it on the road its even better. Both teams played a great game, the Islanders I’m sure thought they had won it when they took the lead with 4 minutes left but they conceded a goal under a minute later and we were off to OT.
It was an exciting period of overtime as these teams traded chances. Usually in the playoffs you see a tight overtime no mistakes and very few chances but there was a total of 17 shots in about 15 mins of overtime. On that 17th shot Kyle Palmari shot a rolling puck over the shoulder of Tristan Jarry.
IIya Sorokin was sharp all game but especially in overtime as he faced 10 shots and a made a couple big saves to keep his team in the game. He stopped 39 of 42 Penguins shots in game 1, he was busy but very solid. It is the kind of goalie play they will need throughout the series and beyond if this team want’s to make a run.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins will defiantly be disappointed in the outcome of game 1. Although they obviously played very well, just couldn’t get it done in OT. The Penguins did outshoot the Islanders, but one stat where they really struggled with was the hits, they got hit around a lot.
The Penguins are going to need to more physical, they were outhit 72-47 it will be a long series if you are getting pushed around like that. The Penguins did have a lead going into the 3rd period but two straight goals for the Islanders took the lead away from the Pens. The penguins showed good resilience by tieing the game just a minute after the Islanders grab a lead with 4 minutes left.
Pittsburgh got strong goaltending from Tristan Jarry, making 37 saves on 41 shots. I’m sure he would like to have the 3-2 goal back as it squeaked thru him and put his team behind with little time left.
The goal in overtime was a tough bounce for Jarry right as Kyle Palmari was getting ready to shot the puck rolled on edge and made it easy for Palmari to roof it. Nothing Jarry could of done to save that one. Jarry definitely should be back in the cage for Game 2, he will need another sharp performance if they want to even this series up
NHL Betting Trends
- Islanders are 2-5 in their last 7 games following a win.
- Islanders are 3-8 in their last 11 road games.
- Penguins are 40-14 in their last 54 games as a home favorite.
- Penguins are 39-15 in their last 54 home games.
- Penguins are 12-5 in their last 17 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Penguins are 42-19 in their last 61 games playing on 1 days rest.
Free New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Prediction:
Playoffs are all about momentum, so the logical pick would be to take the New York Islanders to go up 2-0, but the trends point to Pittsburgh and I just cant see the Penguins loosing both games at home. Take the Penguins on the moneyline to grab momentum back in this opening round series.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -130
If you’re looking for more NHL picks like this New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NHL predictions on the blog during the entire 2021 NHL season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NHL Hockey picks!
Register here for a FREE NHL Hockey Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!