Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders Picks and Predictions March 18th 2025

Pittsburgh Penguins vs New York Islanders March 18th 2025

Don’t miss out on the NHL showdown between the Islanders and Penguins. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it’s hosted by the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Penguins are favored by -1.5 vs. the Islanders.

New York vs. Pittsburgh Key Information

• Teams: Islanders at Penguins
• Where: PPG Paints Arena Pittsburgh
• Date: Tuesday, March 18th
• Betting Odds PIT -112 | NYI -107 O/U 6

The Islanders Can Win If…

Following a 5-2 loss to the Rangers, the Islanders’ record dropped to 30-28-8. As underdogs on the puck line, the Islanders failed to cover. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the combined score of 7 surpassed that mark.

The Rangers scored first, with Chris Kreider finding the net just 3:44 into the game. The Islanders responded with two goals in the second period, but it wasn’t enough to catch up. Artemi Panarin’s empty-net goal in the third period sealed the win for the Rangers.

Despite firing 37 shots on goal, the Islanders only managed two goals in their 5-2 loss to the Rangers. Casey Cizikas netted his first goal of the season, while Brock Nelson added his fifth, scoring with just 8 seconds left in the second period.

The Islanders were held scoreless in the first and third periods, and they recorded 23 offensive giveaways. They did not score on the power play, and their two goals were assisted by Pierre Engvall, Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri, and Anders Lee.

The Islanders’ defense gave up the first goal just 3:44 into the first period and allowed two more in the second. After closing the gap to 3-2, they conceded two more in the third, including an empty-netter. Ilya Sorokin finished with a 35-save performance and an 89.7% save percentage.

• The Islanders have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. They have held up well vs the puck line in these matchups, going 2-1 as well as an over-under record of 1-2.
• The Islanders have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. Their record against the puck line in this stretch is 5-5 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-6-2.

The Penguins Can Win If…

Pittsburgh improved to 28-31-10 with a 3-1 road win over the Canadiens. The Penguins, favored by -1.5 goals, covered the puck line. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the game’s 4 total goals fell short of that mark.

Sidney Crosby scored twice for the Penguins, with Blake Lizotte adding an empty-net goal. Pittsburgh’s defense held Montreal scoreless until the third period.

Sidney Crosby led the Penguins’ offense with two goals, including his 5th of the season on a power play. He scored on two of his three shots on goal, netting his first at 4:03 in the 1st period and adding another at 1:20 in the 2nd.

Blake Lizotte secured his 2nd goal of the season with an empty-netter at 19:15 in the 3rd period. The Penguins recorded 24 shots on goal and had 14 giveaways.

Alex Nedeljkovic recorded 25 saves with a 96.2% save percentage, helping the Penguins to a 3-1 win over the Canadiens. Pittsburgh’s defense also contributed 5 takeaways and 19 hits. The only goal they allowed came at 5:32 into the third period.

• Pittsburgh will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 3-0 over their past three games. In addition, their puck line record over this stretch is 3-0 while posting a 2-1 over-under mark.
• Through their last ten regular season contests, Pittsburgh has a record of 5-5. This includes going 5-5 vs. the puck line along with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

When it comes to a moneyline wager, I’m going with the Penguins to defeat the Islanders while playing at home. Given the current moneyline odds at -112, I’m placing a wager on the Penguins to win outright.

For my recommended choice in the puck line, I’m leaning towards the Islanders to cover. Even if the Penguins secure a straight-up win, this game is expected to be tightly contested, and the Islanders 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.

Playoff Hopes Hang in the Balance

Two teams fighting to stay in the Eastern Conference wild-card race collide as the Pittsburgh Penguins (28-31-10, 66 points) host the New York Islanders (30-28-8, 68 points) on Tuesday night. Both teams remain long shots for the postseason, but recent wins have kept them within reach of the final wild-card spot.

Pittsburgh enters this game on a four-game winning streak, their longest since early December, while the Islanders are coming off an impressive 4-2 comeback win over the Florida Panthers. With just over a dozen games left in the regular season, every point is critical for both squads. Bettors should consider recent momentum and defensive vulnerabilities when evaluating NHL Betting Picks for this matchup.

Penguins Finding Late-Season Surge

Pittsburgh has suddenly found its scoring touch, outscoring opponents 18-9 during its four-game winning streak. In their most recent outing, a 7-3 win over New Jersey, the Penguins put the game away with three goals in the final six minutes, showing their ability to close out tight contests.

Erik Karlsson, Connor Dewar, and Kevin Hayes led the late surge, and Pittsburgh will need continued contributions from its depth players to stay competitive down the stretch.

The biggest concern for the Penguins is their lack of games remaining. With just 13 contests left—the fewest of any NHL team—every loss is devastating to their playoff chances. Coach Mike Sullivan is keeping the focus on one game at a time, understanding that anything can still happen in the unpredictable playoff race.

Islanders Must Build Off Momentum

The Islanders appeared headed for another frustrating loss Sunday against Florida, trailing 2-0 despite outshooting the Panthers 22-10 through two periods. However, a furious third-period rally led by Marc Gatcomb, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Noah Dobson helped New York secure a much-needed win.

That victory snapped a three-game losing streak, which included a pair of tough losses to Los Angeles and Edmonton. While the Islanders remain on the outside looking in, they sit just six points back of the second wild-card spot.

New York has already beaten Pittsburgh once this season, winning a 4-3 shootout thriller on Nov. 5. If they can replicate that effort, they’ll put pressure on the Penguins to keep pace in the standings.

Head-to-Head Season Series Analysis

The Islanders took the first meeting of the season, edging Pittsburgh in a shootout back in November. The Penguins have shown offensive improvement since then, but New York’s ability to slow down games and frustrate opponents remains a key factor.

If Pittsburgh can keep up its recent scoring pace, they’ll have an edge, but if the game turns into a low-scoring battle, the Islanders’ defensive structure could give them an advantage.

Expert Prediction and Betting Insight

With both teams clinging to playoff hopes, expect a tight, hard-fought contest. The Penguins are on a roll offensively, while the Islanders proved in their win over Florida that they can still rise to the occasion in big moments.

The key battle will be whether Pittsburgh’s scoring surge can break through the Islanders’ defense, which has been inconsistent throughout the season. If the Penguins can control the pace and force New York into a faster game, they should have the upper hand.

For bettors, monitoring how the first period plays out could provide a strong indicator of how the game will unfold. If the Islanders keep it low-scoring early, their disciplined play could tilt the game in their favor. However, if Pittsburgh starts fast, they could continue their winning streak and remain in the playoff hunt.

For the latest insights, check out our NHL Expert Picks before making your final wagers.