New York Islanders head to Pittsburgh without Sidney Crosby

Thursday, 07 February 2008

The Penguins have been topsy-turvey since megastar Sidney Crosby went down with an ankle injury on January 18, losing four of their past seven (including two overtime games). Monday's loss to New Jersey was particularly frustrating, as the Pens lead by two goals after the second period but blew the lead late in the game and eventually lost in OT. Certainly, little blame can be placed on Evgeni Malkin, who's stepped up in the absence of Crosby. Malkin has 11 points in seven games since Pittsburgh's captain injured his ankle and he's on pace for nearly 100 points. BetOnline has the Pittsburgh Penguins -160 home favorites against the Islanders.

New York Islanders (140) at Pittsburgh (-160), 7:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Islanders are trapped in a tailspin. Their league-worst 126 goals is a big part of the problem and they've scored just five times during their five-game losing streak, including a 3-0 loss to Anaheim on Monday. New York's playoff hopes are quickly dwindling.

Special teams will make the difference in this game. Pittsburgh's power play ranks among the top five in the NHL. The Islanders have a solid penalty-killing unit, but they take more penalties than just about everybody. That's a dangerous precedent to set with a sniper like Malkin on the ice.

Pick: Pittsburgh

Vancouver (105) at Atlanta (-125), 7:00 p.m. ET

The slumping Canucks head into Atlanta to meet the Thrashers, who received some great news with the return of sniper Ilya Kovalchuk from injury. Strangely, the Thrashers won both games without their ailing superstar, who was out with a knee injury, but they would not to tempt fate with a lengthy injury to Kovalchuk, who combines with Marian Hossa for one of the highest-scoring duos in the NHL.

The Canucks are hoping to end their recent run of poor form, as they have lost eight of their last 10 games. More infuriating to the Canucks is the manner in which they have been losing, as seven of those eight losses have been by one goal, and three have come in the shootout. Ironically both of their wins during this stretch have come in the shootout. A couple of lucky breaks here and there, and the Canucks could be leading the Northwest Division, instead of sitting in third place, trailing first-place Minnesota by five points.

The Canucks have won four of their last five meetings with the Thrashers, and they should claim a victory in this contest as 105 road underdogs.

Pick: Vancouver

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