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 Monday, March 29th at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 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
(10-19-6) New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (21-8-4)
Date: Monday, March 29th
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
NHL Hockey Moneyline Odds: Islanders -110| Penguins -110
NHL Hockey Puck Line Odds: Penguins -1.5 (+225)
NHL Betting Total: 5.5
The 2nd and 3rd place teams in the East meet up on Monday night and oddsmakers are calling it a toss-up, listing both the Islanders and Penguins at -110. New York has 2 more points, but Pittsburgh is at home.
New York Islanders
Saturday’s loss was ugly for the Islanders, who had been on a three game win streak and against tough teams in the Flyers and Bruins. New York was a slight -113 favorite in that beatdown as well.
The loss to the Penguins also came on the heels of a 14-2-1 stretch over the previous 17 games for the Islanders. This is still a very good team, obviously, so is it time for a bounce back on Monday night?
Barry Trotz should feel comfortable going back to Ilya Sorokin despite his poor performance last time out. Sorokin gave up 4 goals on just 9 shots to the Penguins, clearly just not having it and getting lifted in the 2nd period.
Sorokin had been playing well prior to that, posting a personal 8-game win streak while allowing 2 goals or less in 7 of those outings. His play has helped the Islanders boast the #4 scoring defense in the NHL.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh would take more of the same as in Saturday’s offensive explosion, especially from Bryan Rust who posted a hat trick. Rust now has a point in six straight games.
Sidney Crosby also had a goal and an assist, and now has multiple points in four of the last five games. The Penguins have some momentum going with 4+ goals in three straight, although two of those games were against last place Buffalo.
Tristan Jarry could’ve been a little better in net on Saturday, but by the time he did allow the 3 goals to the Islanders Pittsburgh had already built a 5-0 lead. Jarry has helped the Pens to points in 7 of the last 8 (6-1-1).
Pittsburgh’s win on Saturday pushed their record against the Islanders to 5-2 on the season. That includes a 3-0 mark at PPG Paints Arena, giving Pittsburgh huge value at home in this toss-up game.
NHL Betting Trends:
- Islanders are 19-7 last 26 overall
- Islanders are 5-2 last 7 road games
- Over is 4-1 in Islanders last 5 overall
- Under is 20-7 in Islanders last 27 road games
- Penguins are 4-1 last 5 overall
- Penguins are 38-15 last 53 home games
- Under is 4-1 in Penguins last 5 Monday games
- Under is 7-2 in Penguins last 9
- Islanders are 1-5 last 6 head to head meetings
Free New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins NHL Prediction:
One could expect a bounce back game from Sorokin, but then again maybe not the way the Pittsburgh offense has been playing lately. One thing for sure is that the Penguins have owned NYI at PPG Paints Arena this season.
The Penguins offense is clicking, yet this total is just 5.5. Jarry did give up 3 goals after the Islanders should have given up down 5-0. They’ll sink a few more in on Monday night.
4* Free NHL Betting Pick: Over 5.5
Sorokin had his confidence shaken last time out, it’s going to take a bit to build that back up.
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