New York Islanders vs Pittsburgh Penguins Game 4: Predictions, Odds and How to Watch

Where: PPG Paints Arena – Pittsburgh, PA.

When: Tuesday, April 16, 7:30 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): NBC Sports, MSG+, MSG, AT&T Sportsnet Pittsburgh | WFAN

New York Islanders (Away)

Head Coach: Barry Trotz {All-Time 810-595-60-141 NYI, WAS, NSH}

After not making the playoffs last season, The New York Islanders head into Tuesday night’s game with the opportunity to knock off the 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup champions in the very first round. And to do it in only four games! Head coach Barry Trotz has the Isles’ playing with fire and it shows in the scoring: New York has outscored Pittsburgh’s dynamite offense 11-5.

Forward Jordan Eberle has stood out as the offensive playoff performer for New York. Eberle has three goals and two assists through the first three games. He has a 25 per cent shooting and has a clean 50 per cent in faceoff percentage.

Another big playoff performer for the Islanders is goaltender Robin Lehner, who is expected to get the start in net for game four. In the regular season, Lehner went 25-13-5. Through round one, Lehner is 3-0 with a goals against average 1.63 and a save percentage of .952 through 185 minutes of play. He leads all goaltending stats for round one.

Pittsburgh Penguins (Home)

Head Coach: Mike Sullivan {All-Time 244-148-15-57 PIT, BOS}

The 2016 and 2017 Stanley Cup champions are facing a first-round sweep against their division rivals. The Penguins were defeated last year in the second round by the eventual champs – the Washington Capitals. They haven’t been eliminated in the first round since 2015.

Forward Evgeni Malkin leads the Penguins in offense with one goal and two assists through the first three games. He has one powerplay goal and his shooting percentage is only at eleven per cent. Forwards Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel are still searching for their first points of these playoffs.

Matt Murray will be given the start in net for game four. Murray’s regular season saw him go 29-14-6 but is 0-3 in the playoffs. His goals against average during the first three games is 3.33 and his save percentage is .902. He is the only goalie without a win to have a save percentage over .900. He could steal game four single handedly.

Series recap (New York Islanders leads 3-0) – Game one: 4-3 (OT) New York, Game two: 3-1 New York, Game three: 4-1 New York

Questions to answer

Can Pittsburgh’s usually dynamic offense, consisting of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, et al, start firing on all cylinders?

Can Pittsburgh goalie Matt Murray pull off a show-stealing performance and take game four for the Pens?

Can New York pull of the upset and sweep the former Stanley Cup champs for the chance to quite possibly play the defending champs in round two?

New York Islanders Injury Report

F Tanner Fritz – IR (hand)

F Andrew Ladd – day-to-day (torn ACL)

Pittsburgh Penguins Injury Report

D Chad Ruhwedel – day-to-day (upper-body)

New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins Predictions and Odds

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