Offense meets defense at PPG Paints Arena on Monday as the high-volume shooting Pittsburgh Penguins (27-19-9) host the stifling goaltending of the New York Islanders (28-24-7).
New York is coming off a high-scoring 6-2 loss against the Bruins on Saturday. The Islanders conceded a power play goal while failing to take advantage of their own limited power play opportunities.
Kyle Palmieri and Matt Martin each scored once for the Islanders. Semyon Varlamov only had 21 saves on 27 shots against (.777%) in the loss.
Pittsburgh fell 5-2 to the Devils on Saturday. Evgeni Malkin scored twice to lead the Penguins. Dustin Tokarski only had 38 saves on 42 shots against (.904%) in the loss.
HEAD TO HEAD
The Islanders have won both games between the teams this season, including a 5-4 victory in their most recent meeting on February 17. Brock Nelson and Anders Lee each had three points (2G 1A) to lead New York. Four players had two points for Pittsburgh. Ilya Sorokin got the win, saving 40 of 44 shots (.909%).
FACING OFF
New York is averaging 2.90 goals per game for the season, 24th in the NHL, and they are taking on a Penguins team that is allowing 3.15 goals a game (18th).
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh has found the net 3.22 times a game on average, 13th in the league, and the Islanders are allowing opponents to score 2.78 goals per game (10th).
Pittsburgh averages more shots a game (33.4) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth. New York has been up to the task of stopping shots, ranking No. 5 with a team save percentage of .919%.
The Islanders’ 16.77% power play percentage is the fourth-lowest in the league, while the Penguins rank 17th with a conversion rate of 21.47%.
While poor on the power play, New York has been strong at penalty killing, boasting the league’s fifth-highest PK% at 82.35%. Pittsburgh ranks 14th at 80.23%.
TOP PERFORMERS:
With 55 and 51 points this season, Nelson and Mathew Barzal have been the top skaters for the Islanders. In the net, Sorokin (18-17-5) is New York’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 2.44 GAA and a .923% save percentage, fifth-best in the league.
Sidney Crosby leads the Penguins in scoring with 67 points. He has 25 goals and 42 assists. Tristan Jarry (16-5-5) has the best goals against average for Pittsburgh at 2.65. He has a save percentage of .921%.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 11-14-4 away from home this season. Pittsburgh is 15-7-4 at home this season.
SportsTips’ NHL Pick:
Pittsburgh Penguins (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
