Monday’s tilt between the Islanders and Penguins is as close as you can get to a playoff game in the regular season.
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our, and both clubs are in the thick of the jam-packed playoff race in the Eastern Conference with the Blue Jackets, Bruins, Senators, Red Wings and Flyers.
The Isles are slight favorites to win Monday’s crucial clash, but the oddsmakers are essentially telling you to flip a coin.Both the Isles and Penguins come into this one with some injuries to sort through. Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby both practiced Sunday, but they are questionable for the trip to Long Island.2026 Final Four early predictions: Illinois vs. UConn, Michigan vs. Arizona picks, odds, best betsObviously, Crosby and Malkin’s status looms large for this contest, but there is also an intriguing storyline emerging on the defensive side of the puck. The Islanders have suddenly started to trend in the right direction in their own zone, while the Penguins are beginning to leak oil. On the season, the Islanders have allowed the second-most high-danger scoring chances per game at 5-on-5, and they rank 28th in expected goals allowed per 60 minutes .The Isles have improved their expected goals allowed per 60 minutes to 2.54, and they’re conceding 12 high-danger scoring chances per game at 5-on-5.The Penguins are going the other way. Pittsburgh Penguins’ Anthony Mantha returns to the bench after scoring during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins in Pittsburgh, Sunday, March 8, 2026.The Pens allow 2.72 expected goals and 11.8 high-danger scoring per 60 minutes this season. Over their last 10 games, those numbers have crept up to 3.1 and 12.2.Stuart Skinner and Arturs Silovs have played admirably in goal for Pittsburgh this season, but their numbers pale in comparison to Sorokin’s. The Isles could be headed in the right direction at the exact right time. Back them to get these crucial two points Monday.Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, but a long-profiting sports bettor with 10 years of experience in the gambling industry. He loves using game theory to help punters win bracket pools, find long shots, and learn how to beat the market in mainstream and niche sports.Stream It Or Skip It: 'Jo Nesbø's Detective Hole' On Netflix, Where A Troubled Detective Tracks Down A Serial Killer Who Is Terrorizing Oslo
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