Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders: A Thrilling NHL Matchup

The Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders faced off in a highly anticipated NHL matchup on Saturday, December 28, 2024, at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The game was part of the Metropolitan Division’s intense competition, with both teams looking to gain momentum in their respective seasons.

The Pittsburgh Penguins, currently standing at 16-15-5, were coming off a strong win against the Philadelphia Flyers with a score of 7-3. In their last game, the Penguins showed resilience as they overcame a 4-3 deficit in the second period to secure the victory. Key contributors included Bunting with two goals, Crosby, Lizotte, Rakell, Rust, and Tomasino. Goalkeeper Jarry made 24 out of 27 saves, solidifying his performance.

On the other hand, the New York Islanders, with a record of 13-15-7, were reeling from a 7-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. Despite outshooting Buffalo 28-25 and winning 57.8% of face-offs, the Islanders struggled to find the back of the net. Their lone goal came from Palmieri, while Sorokin stopped 18 out of 24 shots.

The Islanders have been struggling lately, losing four of their last five games as favorites. This trend has been particularly concerning for them, especially given their recent home performances. The underdogs have won three of the Islanders’ last four games, indicating a shift in momentum that could favor the Penguins.

### Betting Odds and Predictions

The betting odds favored the New York Islanders at -140, while the Pittsburgh Penguins were at +120. However, many analysts believe that the Penguins’ recent form and ability to perform well on the road could give them an edge. The underdogs have covered the puck line in 13 of the last 14 games between these two teams, suggesting a strong trend in favor of the Penguins.

### Player Prop Facts

For the Pittsburgh Penguins:

– Rickard Rakell has recorded at least one point in each of their last four games at UBS Arena.

– Sidney Crosby has recorded at least one assist in nine of their last 12 games against Eastern Conference opponents.

– Evgeni Malkin has scored at least one goal in each of their last three night games at UBS Arena.

For the New York Islanders:

– Maxim Tsyplakov has recorded an assist in each of their last three home games against Metropolitan Division opponents.

– Simon Holmstrom has scored a goal in three of his last four home appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

– Anthony Duclair has recorded at least one point in five of his last six appearances against Metropolitan Division opponents.

### Game Stats

| Stat | Penguins | Islanders |

|——|———–|————|

| Goals For per Game | 3.08 | 2.60 |

| Goals Against Average | 3.64 | 3.20 |

| Shots per Game | 28.7 | 28.4 |

| Shots Against per Game | 31.5 | 28.5 |

| Power Play Goals | 25 | 11 |

| Power Play Goals Against | 18 | 26 |

The game was expected to be a high-scoring affair, given the recent trends in both teams’ performances. Seven of the Islanders’ last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents at UBS Arena have gone OVER the total goals line, while each of the Penguins’ last four games at UBS Arena following a win have also gone OVER.

### Injuries

The New York Islanders were dealing with several injuries, including Anthony Duclair (LW) and Semyon Varlamov (G) who are both on injured reserve. Bo Horvat (C) is listed as day-to-day, while Mathew Barzal (C) and Adam Pelech (D) are also on injured reserve.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have their own set of injuries, including Owen Pickering (D) who is on injured reserve, Jack St. Ivany (D) who is out, Marcus Pettersson (D) who is injured, and Philip Tomasino (C) who is listed as day-to-day. Cody Glass (C) is also on injured reserve.

### Conclusion

In conclusion, the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent form and ability to perform well on the road make them a strong contender in this matchup. Despite the New York Islanders’ home advantage, the Penguins’ momentum and player prop facts suggest they could emerge victorious. The game promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair, with both teams looking to gain crucial points in their quest for playoff positioning.