Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey! Each day, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for all NHL games. In today’s matchup, the Pittsburgh Penguins play the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena. Both teams are in an in-between space, seemingly too far out of the playoff picture and not low enough for a top-five pick. This game will be important for both teams to give their rosters more experience approaching the end of the season.
NHL Predictions
New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Head-to-Head: Islanders lead 2-1
Time: 7:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: ESPN+, Sportsnet+.
This will be the fourth and final meeting between these teams this season. The Islanders won the first two meetings 4-3 and 6-3 before the Penguins took the third meeting 3-2.
The Penguins’ Story
The Pittsburgh Penguins have won four straight games coming into this contest. With this run, the team holds a 28-31-10 record. The Penguins have improved to ninth-last in the league with this streak, six points out of a playoff spot. Pittsburgh has received contributions from new additions during this run and has begun to set up next season well by jockeying players into positions they can play in starting a new season.
Captain Sidney Crosby and the top line have continued to stay hot. Crosby has 73 points in 67 games, well on his way to a 20th straight point per game season. Rickard Rakell has improved to a high of 31 goals with the Penguins this season, with 59 points overall. New additions Connor Dewar and Conor Timmins have been standouts in recent games. Dewar has already equalled his points total with the Leafs in 28 fewer games, scoring three goals in four games with the Penguins. Timmins meanwhile, has scored a goal and two assists from the blueline, playing an effective third-pair right-defence role behind Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang. Contributions from new additions like these two and Tommy Novak will be key to continuing the Penguins win streak.
The Islanders’ Story
Going 5-4-1 in their last 10, the New York Islanders have a 30-28-8 record on the season. This places them two points ahead of the Penguins and four points behind the New York Rangers for the final wildcard spot. The Islanders are in a middle space, unsure if they’re rebuilding or competing for the playoffs. As such, this game is crucial for the Islanders, with the gap between them and other teams in the playoff hunt potentially widening if the Islanders falter.
Scoring has been hard to come by for the Islanders. The defensively inclined team is led by Captain Anders Lee in scoring. Lee has 25 goals and 46 points in 66 games. A key subtraction from the Islanders is star forward Mathew Barzal. Barzal had scored 6 goals and 20 points in 30 games prior to suffering a long-term injury. With this absence, the Islanders have only seen three players eclipse 40 points to this point of the season. High-end scoring has been an issue for New York, and the Penguins could potentially take advantage if goaltender Tristan Jarry can continue his excellent play as of late.
NHL Prediction
The Pittsburgh Penguins are rolling. Even with the playoffs reasonably being out of reach, the team benefits largely from players like Rakell, Timmins, Dewar and Jarry playing well. Expect Pittsburgh to increase their win streak to five games.
NHL Prediction: Penguins win 4-2.
Prop Bet for the Night
Total Goals Over 5 (-290): The Penguins offence is soaring. Expect a high-scoring affair in this one.
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Main Photo: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
The post NHL Predictions: March 18 New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.