The Pittsburgh Penguins (16-15-5) will face off against the New York Islanders (13-15-7) at UBS Arena on Saturday night, with both Metropolitan Division rivals looking to build momentum after contrasting recent performances.

The Penguins enter the matchup riding high after a commanding 7-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers, where Sidney Crosby showcased his brilliance with a four-point performance including a goal and three assists.

The Islanders, meanwhile, are seeking redemption following a disappointing 7-1 home loss to the Buffalo Sabres, marking their third defeat in their last four games.

Recent history between these teams adds intrigue to the matchup, as the Islanders have won their last three encounters with the Penguins, including a 4-3 shootout victory in their previous meeting this season at UBS Arena.

While Pittsburgh's offense has found its rhythm, scoring 16 goals in their last three games, the Islanders' defensive struggles have been evident with 23 goals allowed in their previous five outings.

As these Metropolitan Division rivals prepare to renew their rivalry, both teams' contrasting forms and historical matchups set the stage for what promises to be an intriguing NHL clash at UBS Arena.

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: who will win?

For tonight's New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins matchup, our predictive model gives the Penguins a 60% chance of defeating the Islanders.

Pittsburgh Penguins: 60% win probability

  • Superior offensive output (112 goals scored vs Islanders' 93)
  • Better overall record (16 wins vs Islanders' 13)
  • Higher points total in standings (37 points vs Islanders' 33)

New York Islanders: 40% win probability

  • Struggling offense (93 goals scored, third-lowest in Metropolitan Division)
  • Poor defensive record (113 goals against, among bottom third in conference)
  • Inconsistent recent form (LWLLW showing volatility in performance)

At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model combines insights from top NHL experts. Instead of sifting through hundreds of expert analyses across the web, you can rely on our predictions to understand the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing predictions, data, and opinions, and our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. We then average these levels to produce an 'expert opinion' win probability—reflecting the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NHL experts.

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins odds

New York IslandersPittsburgh Penguins
moneyline-142 (via DraftKings Sportsbook)+125 (via bet365 US)

Key stats

  • 1
    The New York Islanders have won 13 out of 35 matches this season.
  • 2
    The Pittsburgh Penguins have won 16 out of 36 matches this season.
  • 3
    With 33 points, the New York Islanders holds the 13th position in the league standings.
  • 4
    Pittsburgh Penguins's 37 points place them 9th in the rankings.

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins form

New York Islanders
New York Islanders
Latest matches
L
W
L
L
W
Victories
2/5 (40%)
Defeats
3/5 (60%)
Dec 24, 2024
Buffalo Sabres7:1New York Islanders
Dec 22, 2024
Toronto Maple Leafs3:6New York Islanders
Dec 18, 2024
Carolina Hurricanes4:0New York Islanders
Dec 15, 2024
Chicago Blackhawks5:3New York Islanders
Dec 13, 2024
Chicago Blackhawks4:5New York Islanders
Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
Latest matches
W
L
W
W
L
Victories
3/5 (60%)
Defeats
2/5 (40%)
Dec 24, 2024
Philadelphia Flyers3:7Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 22, 2024
New Jersey Devils3:0Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 20, 2024
Nashville Predators4:5Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 18, 2024
Los Angeles Kings2:3Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 15, 2024
Ottawa Senators3:2Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins head to head

New York Islanders

67%

Pittsburgh Penguins

33%

Nov 6, 2024

New York Islanders

4 : 3

Pittsburgh Penguins

Apr 17, 2024

New York Islanders

5 : 4

Pittsburgh Penguins

Feb 21, 2024

Pittsburgh Penguins

4 : 5

New York Islanders

Dec 31, 2023

Pittsburgh Penguins

3 : 1

New York Islanders

Dec 28, 2023

New York Islanders

0 : 7

Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 10, 2023

Pittsburgh Penguins

3 : 4

New York Islanders