Penguins vs. Islanders: The best player prop bets for Nov. 26

New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) skates with the puck during the second period of a National Hockey League game between the New York Rangers and the Islanders. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire)

Taylor Ginnetti

November 26th, 2021

The injury plagued New York Islanders (5-9-2) will try to end a seven game losing streak tonight when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins (9-6-4).

With multiple players out due to injury and COVID-19 protocols throughout the month of November, the Islanders have sunk to last place in the Metropolitan Division. Their offense has been silenced during their recent seven-game slide, in which they have only been able to generate an average of one goal per game.

The two teams will face-off for the first time this season, and while the Isles are reeling, the Pens are carrying a four-game win streak led by their goalie, Tristan Jarry (9-4-3), who has compiled two shutouts, a 0.50 goals against average, a .983 save percentage during the streak. He’s expected to start again tonight while the Isles will start their top netminder, Ilya Sorokin (5-5-2).

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, and we have the three best player prop bets below.

SIDNEY CROSBY: OVER/UNDER 2.5 SHOTS ON GOAL

After missing 11 games due to injury to start the season, Sidney Crosby has only tallied one goal and one assist in seven games played. Luckily, his career numbers against the Islanders are outstanding, as he’s recorded 122 points (39G-83A) in 75 games.

Most career points vs Islanders

Jaromir Jagr 155
Mario Lemieux 131
Sidney Crosby: 122 (including 2 points tonight)
Mark Recchi: 120#LetsGoPens
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) March 28, 2021

The three-time Stanley Cup champion is averaging 2.8 shots on goal in his last five games, including four shots in his last game against the Vancouver Canucks two nights ago.

PICK: OVER 2.5 (-118)

MATHEW BARZAL: OVER/UNDER 2.5 SHOTS ON GOAL

One player who will be key to the Isles’ success tonight is their offensive star, Mathew Barzal. Currently being held to only eight points in 16 games this season, including only one point in his last five games, Barzal will need to be an offensive catalyst for his team to have any hope of sneaking one past the red-hot Jarry.

His play has been sporadic of late as he’s showed when he generated five shots on goal last weekend against Calgary, but then proceeded to get blanked with no shots the next night against Toronto. With the pressure on for an Isles win, we can expect Barzal to show the best of his game.

PICK: OVER 2.5 (+105)

JAKE GUENTZEL: TO SCORE AT LEAST ONE POINT

Extending his point streak to seven games, which ties his career best, Jake Guentzel is Pittsburgh’s hottest skater at the moment.

Jake Guentzel has scored a goal in his fourth consecutive game.

The man is unstoppable... and is again bringing you 1/2 off Jake's Shakes tomorrow at @MShakeFactory! pic.twitter.com/0QsYawHidz
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) November 21, 2021

Being a line mate of Crosby also reaps some pretty good benefits, as Guentzel was able to score a goal in five straight games once Crosby returned from injury. With a total of 16 points (8G-8A) in 18 games this season, the sixth-year vet hopes to continue to be a threat every night as the season moves forward.

The Islanders will need to find a way to shut down the hot-handed left-winger to keep this one close. Unfortunately, there’s too much firepower on the Pens’ top line, and with the Isles’ injury woes playing a big part, expect Guentzel to notch at least one more point tonight.