Last February, the Islanders looked like a bigger threat than the Penguins with the NHL Playoff odds. New York was in top form with its suffocating defense and timely goal scoring. By contrast, the Penguins were completely out of sync. Many NHL observers wrote Pittsburgh off as finished as a true contender. But then the Penguins hired Brian Burke as president and Ron Hextall as general manager. Since that tandem took control, Pittsburgh is flashing their former Stanley Cup championship look. New York enters the playoffs with goal scoring that is dry as the desert.
East Division First Round
New York Islanders (32-17-7) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (37-16-3)
CashBet Odds: New York Islanders +121 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins -150
Islanders vs. Penguins Series Schedule
Tuesday, May 18: Islanders at Penguins, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Thursday, May 20: Penguins at Islanders, 7 p.m. ET (NBCSN)
Saturday, May 22: Penguins at Islanders, 3 p.m. ET (NBC)
*Monday, May 24: Islanders at Penguins TBD
*Wednesday, May 26: Penguins at Islanders TBD
*Friday, May 28: Islanders at Penguins TBD
*=If Necessary
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins CashBet Wagering Analysis
On this occasion, the Penguins are a reasonably priced sportsbook favorite. New York struggled badly down the stretch. Pittsburgh printed money at the end of the season.
The Lamp Goes Dim on The Island
Of great concern for New York are betting on NHL Playoffs rankings of 20th for goal scoring and 22nd for power-play efficiency. Second in the NHL for goals against and fifth for penalty killing is what saved the Islanders. Center Mathew Barzal leads the Islanders popgun offense with 17 goals, 28 assists, and a +15. While center Brock Nelson adds 18 goals. Goaltender Semyon Varlamov posted an impressive .929 save percentage and 2.04 goals-against average with seven shutouts.
Sid Still the Kid in Penguins Resurgence
Namely, future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby remains a top Stanley Cup Playoffs betting asset. Crosby led the Pens with 24 goals, 38 assists, and a +8. Also, defenseman Kris Letang remains elite with seven goals, 38 assists, and a +19. First goaltender Tristan Jarry brings a rather ordinary .909 save percentage.
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends
New York was 21-4-2 on home ice this season. Late on, the Islanders went 2-3 in their five most recent home games. Three of those five home tilts stayed under the total. Specifically, on the road, the Islanders were 11-13-4. New York dropped eight of its most recent ten-away games. Only two of their last nine-away tilts cleared the total.
Overall, the Penguins were a devastating 22-4-2 on home ice this season. Pittsburgh is 10-2 in their most recent 12 home games. Only two of their last nine home ice matchups cleared the total. Pittsburgh went 15-12-1 on the road for 2021. Accordingly, the Penguins paid in seven of their most recent nine-away tilts. Only one of their most recent five road games stayed under the total.
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Head-to-Head Betting Trends
To summarize, the Penguins got the money in six of their most recent seven games with the Islanders. Four of the last six in this series went under the total. At Pittsburgh, the Penguins won their most recent four games against New York. And then five of the last seven between these teams at Pittsburgh went under the number. Specifically at New York, the Islanders paid in six of their most recent ten against the Penguins. Five of the last six between these teams at New York cleared the total.
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins CashBet Free Pick
In this situation, the Penguins are in far better form and at an attractive NHL gambling price. New York is trying to make a playoff run without reliable goal scoring. Pittsburgh is the more complete club.
Islanders vs. Penguins CashBet Best Bet:
Pittsburgh Penguins
