The Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders clash in a crucial game. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here with Last Word On Hockey. Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for games around the NHL. In tonight’s matchup, Pittsburgh and New York battle it out for the second spot in the Metropolitan Division.
NHL Predictions featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders.
Penguins Story
Pittsburgh comes into this game off a 6-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. With the loss, the team is 4-4-2 in their last 10, and 36-21-16 on the season. With the surges of both the New York Islanders and Columbus Blue Jackets, the Penguins find themselves barely holding onto the third spot in the Metropolitan Division. They sit right in the middle of the two aforementioned teams heading into this game. Playing the Islanders, this is one of the most important games of the season for both teams. Either the Penguins can leapfrog the Islanders back into second with a game in hand, or New York gains a three-point advantage on Pittsburgh.
Credit Image: © Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire
There are rumours abound that the captain, Sidney Crosby, may be back in action in this game. Having Crosby back in the lineup would be huge for this team. There will also be a big focus on the play of defenceman Erik Karlsson. The Swedish star has been incredible in the month of March. With another goal and two assists, Karlsson has 13 goals and 60 points in 68 games this season. Alongside Crosby, look for offence from linemate Bryan Rust. The veteran forward has scored 26 goals and 59 points in 66 games this season. Facing New York, the Penguins’ best players will need to rise to the occasion in a critical game.
Expect Arturs Silovs to start in this first part of a back-to-back as Stuart Skinner started the team’s last two games. Silovs is 16-10-8 with an .891 save percentage. However, now is a good time to remind you to always check official lineups before finalizing any bets.
Islanders Story
The Islanders come into this game off a huge 5-2 win over the Florida Panthers. With the win over the defending cup champs, the Islanders were able to leapfrog the Penguins into the second Metropolitan Division spot. New York is 6-4-0 in their last 10. Their overall record of 42-27-5 places them second in their division, one point ahead of the Penguins and Blue Jackets. However, both Pittsburgh and Columbus hold a game in hand over the Islanders, adding extra tension for this New York squad in this game.
The story of the season has been first overall pick Matthew Schaefer. The rookie phenom is second in team scoring, with an incredible 22 goals and 56 points through 74 games. He’ll be a franchise cornerstone for this organization for over a decade to come. Watch for new additions Brayden Schenn and Ondrej Palat as well. The veteran forwards were brought into Long Island in order to beef up the depth of the forward group. Schenn has fit in well; the former St. Louis captain has scored three goals and 7 points in 11 games. The former New Jersey Devil, Palat, meanwhile, has struggled. He has one goal and four points in 22 games with the Islanders.
Except for superstar goaltender Ilya Sorokin to start this important game. Sorokin seems primed for his first Vezina Trophy this season, his record being 28-18-2 with a sterling .914 save percentage heading into this game.
Prediction
In one of the biggest games for both of these organizations, every play and every period will be tight. And what will be a game of inches, expect New York to give the hometown fans something to cheer about with a big win against the Penguins.
Prediction: Islanders win 6-4
Prop Bet of the Night
Expecting another high-scoring game, where a popular prop bet of goals over seven with odds of +210 is a good bet.
Main Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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