Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders Prediction NHL Picks 12/28/24

In this article we will formulate a Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders prediction for this NHL game on Saturday, December 28th at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup. 

Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins are 16-15-5 this year after they defeated the Flyers by a score of 7-3 in their last game. Pittsburgh had their lead cut to 4-3 in the second period, but they scored the last three goals to pull away in the win. The Penguins were out shot by a total of 27-22, won 59.2% of the face-offs, and went 3-3 on the power play in the game. Pittsburgh got goals from Bunting (2), Crosby, Lizotte, Rakell, Rust, and Tomasino, while Jarry stopped 24 out of 27 shots in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Penguins lost to the Devils by a score of 3-0, but did beat the Predators and Kings before that. Nashville has scored 3.08 goals per game and they have allowed 3.64 goals against per game, while also going 24.5% on the power play and 82.4% on the penalty kill this season. Sidney Crosby has led Pittsburgh with 10 goals, 29 assists, and 107 shots on goal, while Tristan Jarry is 8-5-2 with a 3.47 goals against average and an .885 save percentage this year. 

New York Islanders Betting Preview

The New York Islanders are 13-15-7 this season after they lost to Buffalo by a score of 7-1 in their last game. New York allowed the first five goals in the game, but did score late in the second period to avoid the shutout. The Islanders out shot Buffalo by a total of 28-25, won 57.8% of the face-offs, and went 0-1 on the power play in the game. New York got their lone goal from Palmieri, while Sorokin stopped 18 out of 24 shots in the game. 

Prior to that loss, the Islanders defeated the Maple Leafs by a score of 6-3, but did lose to the Hurricanes and Blackhawks before that. New York has scored 2.60 goals per game and they have allowed 3.20 goals against per game, while also going 12% on the power play and 64.4% on the penalty kill this season. Anders Lee has led New York with 13 goals, 14 assists, and 104 shots on goal, while Ilya Sorokin is 10-11-4 with a 2.95 goals against average and an .898 save percentage this year. 

Why the Penguins will beat the Islanders

• The Islanders have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
• The underdogs have won three of the Islanders’ last four games.
• The underdogs have covered the puck line in 13 of the last 14 games between the Penguins and Islanders.
• The Islanders have failed to cover the puck line in nine of their last 10 games as favorites against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The Islanders have lost the first period in each of their last five home games following a home loss.

Total Goals Facts

• Seven of the Islanders’ last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents at UBS Arena have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Each of the Penguins’ last four games at UBS Arena following a win have gone OVER the total goals line.
• Six of the last eight 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 21 of the Penguins’ last 22 road games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 2′ market has hit in each of the Islanders’ last seven games as favorites.

New York Islanders Player Prop Facts

• Maxim Tsyplakov has recorded an assist in each of the Islanders’ last three home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Simon Holmstrom has scored a goal in three of his last four home appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.
• Anthony Duclair has recorded at least one point in five of his last six appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

Pittsburgh Penguins Player Prop Facts

• Rickard Rakell has recorded at least one point in each of the Penguins’ last four games at UBS Arena.
• Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in nine of the Penguins’ last 12 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
• Evgeni Malkin has scored at least one goal in each of the Penguins’ last three night games at UBS Arena.

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders Prediction 

New York comes into this matchup after losing three of their last four games and they have allowed 16 goals in those three losses. The Islanders are 6-8-2 at home this year, while the Penguins are 6-8-3 on the road. Pittsburgh has won three of their last four games and they are 3-1-1 in their last five. These two teams are trending in opposite directions, so I will take the hotter team with the plus money. Take the Penguins here.