Certainly the New York Islanders were not considered a betting on NHL games favorite to make the playoffs this year. Following the loss of marquee man John Tavares to free agency and the Toronto Maple Leafs gamblers gave up on the Isles. However, New York ended up with a man more valuable than their old captain. Barry Trotz arrived as head coach after winning a Stanley Cup last June with the Washington Capitals. Now the Isles are playoff bound with Trotz after missing past season the past two years with Tavares. Favored Pittsburgh hosts the Islanders on Sunday.
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Game 2
Date and Time: Sunday, April 14, 2019, 12 p.m. ET
Location: PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Islanders vs. Penguins TV Coverage: NBC
Certainly, few members of the NHL community and gamblers had the Islanders pegged as a playoff team. In the same way nobody had New York picked to finish ahead of the Penguins. Yet that is exactly what happened. The Islanders finished 48-27-2-5 to finish second behind Washington and ahead of Pittsburgh in the Metropolitan Division. Spearheading this tremendous season was a defense ranked first in the NHL for goals against. Admittedly the departure of Tavares hurt goal scoring production. New York finished 22nd for goals scored.
It follows that the Penguins suffered from inconsistency this year. Especially problematic was a back end that was thin, injured, and at times ineffective. Goal scoring remains a strength of the Pens. To show Pittsburgh ranked sixth for goals scored. Offsetting that were NHL rankings of 14th for goals against and 20th for penalty killing. Owing to that is a record of 44-26-9-3 and a third-place finish in the Metropolitan Division.
Late on the Islanders have shown good betting on NHL games value on the road. NYI has won six of their last nine games on enemy ice. Five of their last seven in that role have gone under the total. By contrast Pittsburgh has not been as consistent at home recently. Six payouts in their last 10 home games is not bad but four losses in their last six is cause for concern. Only one of their last six home tilts have gone over the total.
This year the Islanders and Penguins split their four sportsbook matchups with a 2-2 mark on totals. Overall the Pens have had the long-term edge with nine wins in their last 14 games with the Isles. Five of the last seven in this series went under the total. Specifically, Pittsburgh has been dominant at home against New York. PPG Paints Arena has seen the Penguins win six of their last eight against the Islanders. Five of the last six between these teams at Pittsburgh went over the total.
Islanders vs. Penguins Betting on NHL Games Picks
In this situation the solid defense of the Islanders makes for a Betting on NHL games advantage. While Pittsburgh remains a strong public team, they have proven to be overlays far too many times. Likewise casual money will bet the Pens above the price they are actually worth.
Islanders vs. Penguins Betting on NHL Games Online Pick
Due to their consistency, defense, and work ethic do the Islanders rate the better value.
Islanders vs. Penguins Betting on NHL games Online Pick
New York Islanders
Islanders vs. Penguins Betting on NHL games Online Score Prediction
Islanders 3, Penguins 2
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