NHL Penguins vs Islanders Picks and Odds | December 28, 2024

Written by: Nick Zanghi

Published: Fri Dec 27, 2024, 11:25 pm ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

nhl

FINAL

Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Islanders

See Picks & Statistics For The Game

We have a meet up of Division rivals tonight on Long Island. The Pittsburgh Penguins will take on the New York Islanders at UBS Arena. These 2 teams met earlier this year and the Islanders won by a score of 4-3.

New York is having a rough year. They are currently in last place of the Metro Division with a 13-15-7 record. The Islanders are coming off an embarrassing loss at home Monday night to the Sabres. To go along with that, they are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games and 6-8-2 at home this year.

The injury bug played a role in the Islanders down fall to start the season. They have just returned 3 big pieces back to the lineup. Defenseman Adam Pelech, center Mat Barzal and newly acquired winger Anthony Duclair. New York will try to get back the chemistry they had on their 1st line before Duclair got hurt.

Defense use to be the Islanders strong suit, but not so much anymore. They rank 23rd in the league for goals allowed and 16th in the league for shots on goal allowed per game. This team use to smother the puck but has become extremely leaky. Goalie Ilya Sorokin is expected in net, and he is having a rough season. He is 10-11-4 this season with a 2.95 GAA and a .898 save percentage.

Pittsburgh looks to carry Monday's momentum into tonight

Penguins center Sidney Crosby makes a move through the Islanders defense.

So far this season, the Penguins have fared ok. They have a 16-15-5 record and are 4th in the Metro. They are coming in off a win over the Flyers on Monday night. Pitsburgh is 6-3-1 in their last 10 games but are 6-8-3 on the road. Divisional matchups have not been nice to them, going 2-6-1 so far.

This team plays middle of the road offense. They are 15th in the league for goals scored and 13th in the league for shots on goal per game. The Pens power play is pretty good, converting 24.5% of the time, which is 7th best in the league.

On defense, they are terrible. They rank almost worst in the league for goals allowed and shots on goal allowed per game. The team has a good penalty kill, but the Islanders are the best in the league for not committing penalties.

Goalie Tristan Jarry is expected in net tonight. He has a 8-5-2 record with a 3.48 GAA and a .885 save percentage. Jarry will look to slow down the already slow Islanders offense. Let's check out the odds and get into the picks.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders Betting Odds and Game Information

Penguins vs Islanders Betting Odds

Puck Line

Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5 (-220)
New York Islanders -1.5 (+176)

Moneyline

Pittsburgh Penguins +114
New York Islanders -137

Totals

Over 6.5 (+108)
Under 6.5 (-132)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Penguins vs Islanders Game Information

Venue: USB Arena, Elmont, NY
Date: Saturday December 28, 2024
Puck Drop: 7:30pm EST
TV: MSGSN, SportsNet PT

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders Prediction and Picks

Pens winger Drew O'Connor tries to screen Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin

Penguins vs Islanders Picks and Predictions: Pittsburgh Penguins Moneyline (+114) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

I have to take the plus sign vs the Islanders here. They are completely lost and now trying to re-find themselves with the return of 3 players. This is also a good spot for the Pens to keep winning and end a 3-game skid vs the Islanders.

The Islanders biggest problem is also finishing games. Teams in the division, like the Penguins, seem to always steal games from the Islanders. I just am not confident in the Islanders to pull this game off. They are also due to lay a stinker against the Pens.

I like for Sorokin to get over his saves line, which will probably be set anywhere between 26-28 saves, but we won't know until he's confirmed. I also like Sidney Crosby to record 3+ shots on goal. He has cleared it in his last 4 vs the Islanders. Sprinkle him for an assist as he has 7 in his last 10 games vs the Isles.