Penguins vs. Islanders Game 2 Prediction: NHL Playoffs Betting Odds
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Charlie Grant
The New York Islanders took Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they’re only small favourites to win the series. The Isles own home-ice advantage in a playoff series for the first time since 1988 try two take a 2-0 series lead when they host Sidney Crosby and Co. on Friday night.
Penguins vs Islanders Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
The Pens dropped Game 1 despite outshooting the Isles 44-33. The over cashed for just the fourth time in Pittsburgh’s last 19 games. Starting goalie Matt Murray has allowed four goals in two straight contests and the Pens dropped to 2-4 in their last six matchups against NYI.
The zig-zag betting theory is in practice for the Game 2 moneyline odds. Pittsburgh was even money to win Game 1, but Sports Interaction now lists the away side as -130 chalk in Game 2.
For those not familiar with the zig-zag theory, the thinking is the team coming off a loss in a playoff series is the side more likely to come out with bounce-back performance in the next game. The Pens went 3-2 in games coming off a loss last post-season and 6-2 the year prior.
The Islanders are now -149 series faves with the Pens priced as +107 underdogs. There are more ways to bet on this series than just the moneyline, total and series price. Sports Interaction is offering head-to-head player prop bets for which player will finish the series with more points.
Sidney Crosby failed to pick up a point in Game 1 but he’s still a -125 favourite to finish with more points than Islanders forward Mathew Barzal.
Pittsburgh Penguins
It was not a good night for Pittsburgh’s No. 1 defensive pairing. Brian Dumoulin left Isles winger Jordan Eberle completely alone in front of the net for the first goal and Kris Letang overtime gaffe created the chance that allowed the Islanders to seal the game.
Dumoulin, who missed the last three games of the regular season with an upper-body injury, was on the ice and somewhat culpable for three of New York’s four goals in the game. Letang finished with a game-high four turnovers.
Pens coach Mike Sullivan surprised everyone by making Jack Johnson a healthy scratch. The blueliner played all 82 games for Pittsburgh this season and he was playing great hockey. Expect Johnson to return to the lineup on Friday.
New York Islanders
Sidney Crosby is arguably the greatest player in the NHL but he and his linemates were completely shut down by the Isles in Game 1. The Crosby-Guentzel-Rust line produced just one scoring chance and allowed 13 on Wednesday night.
The Islanders’ No. 1 defensive pairing took the lion’s share of the credit after the game. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock deserve the praise, but the task gets only more difficult in Game 2.
PIT
NYI