LiontipsPittsburgh vs. Islanders. NHL Match Prediction and Bets
Command Analysis
Current form
Pittsburgh has been showing mixed results lately, alternating wins and losses. The team played a two-game road series, which they started away to Nashville and with great difficulty snatched victory in overtime (5:4). They managed to achieve success mainly due to the efforts of first-period forwards Crosby and Rust, who scored eight points between them. However, the Penguins were unable to consolidate their success, and in the match with New Jersey, the team was unable to score a single goal, suffering a dry defeat (0:3). It is worth noting that Sullivan charges played extremely poorly and made only 12 shots on the Devils' goal in three periods.
Returning to their home arena, the Penguins fought Philadelphia and left no chance for their competitor, defeating them with a score of 7:3. Crosby again scored an assist hat trick and scored a goal himself. Then the team went to visit the Islanders, where they were unable to play reliably in defense, allowing the Islanders to create too many dangerous moments near their goal, which ultimately led to another failure (3:6). Due to inconsistent performances, the club has not yet been able to return to the playoff zone, the gap from which is only one point.
Disqualifications and injuries
Pittsburgh has only two players in the infirmary: St. Ivany and Pettersson.
Interesting trends for betting
- Pittsburgh is allowing an average of 3.75 goals per game.
The club continues to experience huge problems in defense, which is the main reason for the defeats.
- On average, the Penguins receive seven penalty minutes per game.
But the team can boast of good discipline and is rarely sent off.
Current form
The Islanders also can't start earning points consistently. The team has completed a three-game road series that didn't start off well. In the first two games, the Islanders showed very weak defense, which led to losses to Chicago (3:5) and Carolina (0:4). However, in the final away game against Toronto, the club was able to show everything it could do, defeating the clear favorite with a score of 6:3. It worth praising all the players in the second and third lines, as each of them distinguished themselves with scoring.
It seemed that, having returned to the home arena, New York would be able to take advantage of Buffalo weak form and win confidently, but everything did not go according to plan. Goalkeeper Sorokin failed to cope with his main task, reflecting only 75% of the shots, and as a result, the meeting ended in a crushing defeat (1:7). They managed to rehabilitate themselves in front of the fans in the match with Pittsburgh due to very active and effective actions in the attack, which allowed them to win with a score of 6:3. Forwards Sisikas and Lee each scored a double. It is worth noting that at the moment the club is only in 12th place in the Eastern Conference table, having 35 points.
Disqualifications and injuries
The Islanders have no problems with their roster. Only Rielly is in the infirmary.
Interesting trends for betting
- On average, the team scores 2.75 goals per game
The Allieders are not very effective in attack and rarely fully realize their attacking potential.
- The Islanders are averaging 6.25 penalty minutes per game.
But the team discipline is in perfect order.
Trends
Bet First Goal: Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has opened the scoring in four of the six head-to-head games
1.88Goal in each period bet - yes
In four out of five head-to-head matches, the teams scored a goal in each period
1.50Tip and bets
Pittsburgh is at its best at home, where it hasn't lost much lately. The team, having returned to its home ice, has a great opportunity to take revenge on the Islanders for the crushing defeat. In general, the Penguins are in no way inferior to their competitor, and it cannot be said that the Islanders are currently in excellent shape, due to which they could achieve success again. It is also worth noting that it is much more difficult to show your best side away from home, so we suggest taking advantage of the excellent odds and betting in favor of the hosts.
Our prediction is Pittsburgh victory in the match at 1.89
Bet on total
Pittsburgh has one of the most unreliable defensive lines in the league and constantly misses a huge number of goals. Despite this, the team continues to earn points due to a very effective game in attack. This is the reason why it is worth betting on the total over.
Forecast - total over 5.5 goals for 1.75
Bet on the outcome of the first period
Pittsburgh is quite capable of meeting the Islanders with a tough game and gaining an advantage in the first period thanks to the support of their stands.
Prediction - Pittsburgh win in the first period with a handicap of (0) for 1.82
