Penguins Loom to Deflate Upstart Islanders in Game 4
The Eastern Conference quarter final series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders had all the makings of a laugher after Pittsburgh’s 5-0 Game 1 win but suddenly this series has become one of the more entertaining matchups in the postseason. There are momentum swings galore, plenty of goals and urgency by both teams to overcome the others’ intensity. Pittsburgh currently leads the series 2-1 but it hasn’t been easy. On Tuesday night the Penguins will look to take a stranglehold in their series and to take some wind out of the sails of a motivated and hard working Isles squad.
Bet On NHL Hockey Today at One of our top online sportsbooks!!!
Pittsburgh Penguins (38-13-0-0) at NY Islanders (25-18-5-3)
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Where: Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Uniondale, New York
Broadcast: TSN, NBCSN, ROOT, MSG PLUS
Penguins lead series 2-1
Pens vs. Isles Betting Lines from betonline.com
Pittsburgh Penguins -1½ +190 -156 Ov 6 +114
New York Islanders +1½ -220 +142 Un 6 -126
The Pittsburgh Penguins are stacked in both ends of the rink but they are really having trouble with the energy of the New York Islanders. No lead appears to be safe for either team making for a very entertaining series. Offensively there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Penguins. They are averaging 4.33 goals per game and the best players have some truly impressive numbers thus far.
Sidney Crosby has two goals and three assists in two games since his return from injury, Evgeni Malkin has three straight multi-point games to start the series, Jarome Iginla had two assists in each of the first two games before scoring his first playoff goal for the Penguins on Sunday, Chris Kunitz has three points in two games, Pascal Dupuis has four points in three games and on and on and on.
The problem has been defense and goaltending just like during last year’s playoff run. They are surrendering an average of 34.67 shots per game and after posting a shutout in Game 1 Marc-Andre Fleury is just 1-1-0 with a 3.75 GAA and .897 save percentage in his last two games – not great numbers for an elite keeper.
Credit the New York Islanders for not packing it in after Game 1. They have really given the juggernaut Pens a run in the last two games. They jumped out to a quick 2-0 win in Game 3 but fell in overtime – but they were very competitive throughout and maybe deserved a better fate. [ad-4437448]
So what has been the main problem for New York? Discipline and penalty killing. The Isles have been short handed 13 times in the three games and they have surrendered an astounding six goals. Needless to say – staying out of the box is paramount for the Islanders in Game 4.
Offensively the Islanders have looked good in the last two games recording eight goals against a decent defensive squad. Matt Moulson and Kyle Okposo have each scored in consecutive games for the Islanders and John Tavares finally scored his first playoff goal on Sunday. If Tavares wakes up the Isles could be very dangerous in Game 4.
Better play from Evgeni Nabokov would be nice for the Islanders. He is 1-2-0 in the series with a 4.77 GAA and ugly .836 save percentage – not nearly good enough against a high calibre team like the Penguins.
Betting Prediction
:
A few trends to consider:
• PIT are 9-3 in their last 12 vs. Atlantic.
• PIT are 38-13 in their last 51 overall.
• PIT are 20-7 in their last 27 road games.
• Under is 6-2 in NYI last 8 vs. Atlantic.
• NYI are 34-88 in their last 122 vs. Atlantic.
• Over is 7-3-1 in NYI last 11 home games.
• Over is 7-3-1 in the last 11 meetings.
• PIT are 36-16 in the last 52 meetings.
The Pittsburgh Penguins have looked average the last two games but the experience on this team should propel them to victory on Tuesday night. The Islanders have been good but is as much a product of the Penguin’s poor defensive play as it is New York’s good play. Expect Pittsburgh to have a better start in Game 4 and to squash the optimism of the young Islanders squad. Pittsburgh is simply the superior club and will be eager to extinguish the upstart Islanders as early as possible. Pittsburgh returns home to an elimination game.
Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins -156
