Islanders vs Penguins Prediction, Preview, Odds, Picks, Feb. 20
Islanders, Penguins in Playoff Fight
The New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins, who will meet Monday for the second time in four days, are seemingly trying their best to relinquish their wild card spots.
The Islanders are 5-10 since mid-January, including a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of the Boston Bruins Saturday. The Penguins are 6-9 over the same span after a 5-4 loss to the Islanders Friday and a 5-2 defeat to the New Jersey Devils Saturday.
The top six teams in the Eastern Conference have separated themselves from the rest of the pack, leaving the Islanders and Penguins to fight off the Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings for a wild card spot.
Not including Monday, the Islanders have seven games left against the teams directly below them in the standings, while the Penguins have just four such contests.
“We’ve got to turn the page, we don’t have an option, we’re in the chase for a playoff spot,” Kyle Palmieri of the Islanders told the media after the loss to Boston. “We’ve got an opportunity to turn out a pretty good weekend with a win Monday. Leave this one in the pasty and it is what it is. Whether it was 2-1, 5-1 or 10-1. It’s a loss.”
Let’s check the latest NHL news, stats, injury reports, and NHL lines for Islanders vs Penguins. We’ve got plenty of NHL picks for you to consider.
Barzal Could Miss Time for Isles
The Islanders could be without second-leading scorer Mathew Barzal for this game after the center left Saturday’s game early in the first period after taking a hit.
The 25-year-old is one of New York’s most important players as he leads them in assists (37) and power play points (19) and was key in the assimilation of Bo Horvat, who was acquired via trade from the Vancouver Canucks, into the team.
“He’s a very important player for us in all different aspects,” New York coach Lane Lambert told the media. “So as much as you try to not let it affect you, we had a power play that didn’t go very well and he’s a big part. There is a residual effect down the line.”
The Islanders were already without Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Josh Bailey for the Bruins game, which forced them to use Russ Johnston for just the 12th time this season.
Third Line Weighing Penguins Down
The Penguin’s third line, scored upon twice on Friday against the Islanders and once on Saturday vs. the Devils, continues to drag down the rest of the team.
The unit, consisting of center Jeff Carter and right wing Kasperi Kapanen, and left wing Drew O’Connor against the Devils, had zero shots on goal but permitted 11 shots and six high-danger attempts in the first two periods along to New Jersey.
Kapanen leads the third line with four points in the last 14 games, Carter has one even-strength goal since Oct. 20, and O’Connor recently took the place of Bruce McGinn, who was scoreless over 22 games before being moved to the fourth line.
“We tried all different combinations and what not,” Carter, who will be hard-pressed to reach 30 points this season, told the media. “Everybody’s been around for the past couple years, so I wish I had an answer (about the struggles) for you.”
Islanders vs Penguins Game Injuries
Islanders vs Penguins Head-to-Head
The Islanders and Penguins have split 22 games this decade, including a six-game first-round playoff series won by New York 4-2.
Pittsburgh has a considerable advantage at home, posting an 83-55-4 record.
Islanders vs Penguins Game Information
- Game: Islanders (28-24-7) vs Penguins (27-19-9)
- Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
- Day/Time: Monday, Feb. 20th, 7:00 p.m. ET
- Islanders vs Penguins Live Stream: NHL.TV
Islanders vs Penguins Betting Lines
Islanders vs Penguins Picks and Prediction
The Penguins, who are 15-7-4 at home and 24-9 as a favorite, are -135 on the NHL lines. The Islanders are 1-7 in their last eight games on one day’s rest.
Pittsburgh and New York have combined for 31 goals in the last four meetings.
Pittsburgh is listed at -135 in our Las Vegas NHL odds. This means that if you wager $100 on the Penguins, you have a chance to win $74. New York is +115, offering a chance to win $115 on a $100 wager.
The implied probability attached to the betting lines gives Pittsburgh a 57.45% chance to win, with the Islanders 46.51%.
