| MATCHUP | New York Islanders | Pittsburgh Penguins |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-1-0 | 2-0-0 |
| Where | PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA | |
| When | Thursday, October 9, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:00 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN+ | |
The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins meet Thursday in NHL action at PPG Paints Arena. Here’s a New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction. This article will include a New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins Pick.
New York Islanders Betting Preview
The New York Islanders had 82 points last season and missed the playoffs for the second time in the last 7 years.
The Islanders’ defense has led the way over the years, and that won’t change with Ilya Sorokin in net. However, players like Matthew Schaefer add some excitement to the offensive side and could be the future of this franchise. Of course, we can’t forget Isaiah George, who showed flashes in 33 games last season. The Islanders have to improve their power play and penalty kill to be taken seriously this season, as they were 31st in both areas. Still, the Islanders will be worth a watch this season, if anything due to the young talent that’s coming up.
Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview
The Pittsburgh Penguins beat up on the Rangers in their season opener. The Penguins haven’t won their first two games since the 2022-23 season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are averaging 3 goals per game and are scoring 0 percent of their power play opportunities. Justin Brazeau leads Pittsburgh with 2 goals, Evgeni Malkin has 2 assists, and Blake Lizotte has 4 shots on goal. Defensively, the Pittsburgh Penguins are allowing 0 goals per game and are killing 100 percent of their opponent’s power plays. Arturs Silovs has allowed 0 goals on 25 shots faced.
Why the Pittsburgh Penguins will win
- The Islanders have lost six of their last seven games as favorites.
- The underdogs have won five of the last six games between the Islanders and Penguins at PPG Paints Arena.
- The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 night games.
- The Penguins have covered the puck line in each of their last four games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The Islanders have lost the first period in eight of their last nine games at PPG Paints Arena.
Why the New York Islanders will win
- The Penguins have lost seven of their last nine games following a road win.
- The road team has won three of the Penguins’ last four games.
- The road team has covered the puck line in four of the Islanders’ last five games.
- The Penguins have failed to cover the puck line in three of their last four games as home underdogs against Metropolitan Division opponents.
- The favorites have won the third period in each of the last four games between the Islanders and Penguins.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Penguins’ last six games as underdogs following a road win have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Five of the Islanders’ last six road games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Five of the last six night games between two teams from the Metropolitan Division have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Penguins’ last seven home games against the Islanders.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last four games as road favorites.
Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts
- Sidney Crosby has scored at least one goal in six of the Penguins’ last seven night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Rickard Rakell has recorded at least one assist in six of the Penguins’ last seven night games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Rickard Rakell has recorded at least one point in 10 of the Penguins’ last 11 games at PPG Paints Arena.
- Justin Brazeau ranks T1st in the league for multi-point game (1) this season.
New York Islanders Player Prop Facts
- Bo Horvat has recorded at least one point in eight of his last nine appearances at PPG Paints Arena.
- Alexander Romanov has recorded an assist in each of his last three appearances against the Penguins.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T4th in the league for goals per game this season (3.00).
- The Pittsburgh Penguins rank T8th in the league in power play percentage this season (0.00%).
New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction
The Islanders are probably the better team on paper, and they’ve won 7 of the last 10 games against the Penguins, so I guess the line makes sense. However, we’re getting the more favorable price with the Penguins at home, and they’ve had the benefit of getting a game out of the way. Teams and players are still getting their feet under them, and there is an advantage with one team being able to get out jitters or iron out wrinkles. I’ll take a shot with the Penguins at home.