Ny Islanders Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins Picks and Predictions November 5th 2024

New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins November 5th 2024

Looking to win big? The Penguins and Islanders face off at 7:30 ET on ESPN+. The Islanders are hosting the game at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. This Metropolitan division matchup has an over/under of 6 goals, and the Islanders are favored by -1.5 at home vs. the Penguins.

Pittsburgh vs. New York Key Information

With a 3-1 win over the Canadiens, the Penguins improved to 5-7-1 this season. Pittsburgh covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 4 goals fell short of the 6.5-goal line.

Sidney Crosby led the way for the Penguins, scoring their first two goals. The Canadiens cut the lead to 2-1 in the third period, but Blake Lizotte’s empty-netter sealed the victory for Pittsburgh.

Sidney Crosby opened the scoring for Pittsburgh early in the first period and added his fifth goal of the season on a power play in the second. Blake Lizotte netted his second goal of the year on an empty net with 45 seconds left in the game.

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The Penguins fired 24 shots on goal and recorded 14 giveaways. Lars Eller picked up his third assist on Lizotte’s empty-netter, while Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson were credited with assists on Crosby’s second goal.

Defensively, the Penguins will be looking to build on their previous performance, where they allowed just one goal to Montreal. Alex Nedeljkovic posted a 96.2% save percentage with 25 saves, and the defense added 5 takeaways and 19 hits. The only goal they gave up came 5:32 into the 3rd period.

The Islanders fell to 4-6-2 after a 5-2 road loss to the Rangers. As the underdogs on the puck line, they failed to cover. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the combined 7 goals went over that line.

New York’s defense struggled throughout, giving up the first goal just 3:44 into the game. The Islanders didn’t score until 4:38 into the second period, when they were already down 2-0.

In their 5-2 loss to the Rangers, the Islanders took 37 shots on goal but only found the net twice. Casey Cizikas scored his first goal of the season, while Brock Nelson added his fifth, with just 8 seconds remaining in the second period.

The Islanders had 23 giveaways and were held scoreless in the first and third periods. Pierre Engvall picked up his first assist of the season on Cizikas’ goal, while Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri, and Anders Lee also contributed assists.

On the defensive side, the Islanders gave up the first goal just 3:44 into the first period and allowed two more in the third, leading to a 5-2 loss. Ilya Sorokin made 35 saves with an 89.7% save percentage, while the Islanders’ defense recorded 12 takeaways and 17 hits.

For a moneyline pick, I’m taking the Islanders to pick up on a win over the Penguins at home. With the moneyline sitting at -131, I’ll be locking in a bet on the Islanders straight-up.

My recommended pick for the puck line is to take the Penguins to cover. Even if the Islanders win straight-up, this one should be close throughout and the Penguins should cover the puck line.

When considering the over/under line, which is currently at 6 goals, we believe that this game will go over that threshold, and we recommend wagering on the over.

Short-Handed Islanders Look to Halt Penguins’ Momentum

The New York Islanders will try to reverse their recent fortunes Tuesday night as they host the surging Pittsburgh Penguins. As the Islanders contend with a growing list of injuries, they face the challenge of stabilizing their season before they fall too far behind in the Metropolitan Division.

Islanders: Battling Injuries and Seeking Consistency

The Islanders, coming off a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday, have lost four of their last five games and sit among the lower-ranked teams in the Eastern Conference with just 10 points. In addition to their tough schedule, they’re battling significant injuries, with key players like first-liners Mathew Barzal and Anthony Duclair, and defenseman Adam Pelech, all on injured reserve. Defensemen Mike Reilly and Alexander Romanov are also sidelined due to upper-body injuries, leaving the Islanders with a thin lineup.

Despite the scoreline on Sunday, the Islanders managed to stay competitive, nearly equalizing in the third period until Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made a remarkable save against Bo Horvat that would have leveled the game at 3-3. That key moment underscored just how narrow the Islanders’ margin for error has become given their current roster limitations.

“We played a good game, well enough to win,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said, expressing optimism despite the loss. “The play of that game is the save of their goalie on Horvat. If we score there, it would make it a 3-3 game and it gives us momentum.”

The Islanders’ special teams continue to be a sore spot, as they went 0-for-5 on the power play Sunday, conceding both a power-play goal and a short-handed goal to the Rangers. Horvat acknowledged the impact, emphasizing the difference special teams make in a close game.

“Special teams is such a big thing in this league,” Horvat commented. “They get a power-play goal and we don’t. At the end of the day, it makes a difference every game.”

Penguins: Finding Rhythm After Early Struggles

After a six-game losing streak that derailed their strong start, the Penguins appear to be getting back on track, having won two consecutive games, including a solid 3-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Their recent defensive efforts have been particularly noteworthy, as they allowed only one goal in each of the last two games – the first time they’ve held opponents to two goals or fewer across two games since early February.

For captain Sidney Crosby, this shift has been about the team returning to foundational play: good positioning, fundamental hockey, and, ultimately, trust in the process. He noted that pressing for results can sometimes create hesitation or forced plays, which can “snowball” into extended slumps.

“Sometimes when you’re pressing, you end up guessing or hesitating and forcing things,” Crosby said. “It ends up snowballing a bit. I think just getting back to being good positionally, just fundamental stuff and then trusting that chances will come.”

Crosby’s own play has mirrored the team’s resurgence, as he’s netted back-to-back two-goal games after going scoreless during the losing streak. Now just three goals away from joining the exclusive 600-goal club, Crosby is rediscovering his scoring touch at a crucial juncture for the Penguins.

“When you have a Crosby on the ice, everybody kind of focuses on him,” Kris Letang, Crosby’s longtime teammate, said. “It opens so many other guys.”

Key Factors for Tuesday’s Game

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1. Injuries and Depth: With their lineup stretched thin, the Islanders will need their remaining healthy players to step up, particularly on special teams. Success on the power play and penalty kill could be decisive for New York.
2. Crosby’s Form: As Crosby nears 600 career goals, his recent uptick in form is a potential game-changer. His ability to create opportunities for himself and others could be challenging for the injury-depleted Islanders defense to manage.
3. Goaltending Matchup: While Pittsburgh’s defensive efforts have improved, the goaltending duel could be a defining factor. With the Islanders still trying to find consistency in goal amid injuries, they’ll need a strong showing to contend with the Penguins’ resurging offense.

Tuesday’s game marks an opportunity for both teams to solidify their standing. The Islanders are hoping to stay competitive through their injuries, while the Penguins aim to extend their momentum as they work their way back up the standings. The battle for points promises to be intense as these division rivals face off in a critical early-season matchup.