NHL: Islanders vs. Penguins Picks and Odds, October 9, 2025

Welcome back to the ice with the start of the 2025-26 NHL season! We head to the Metro Division for the Pittsburgh Penguins home opener against the New York Islanders. Both teams have a long history dueling it out in the same division.

Pittsburgh comes into this game 1-0-0 after a 3-0 win over the Rangers on Tuesday night. They looked pretty good although the Rangers looked terrible, so maybe not saying much (lol). The Penguins totaled 31 total shots and went 0-1 on the power play.

Winger Justin Brazeau came over in the offseason and made an immediate impact. He had two goals vs. the Rangers. One coming right away in the first period and the other being the first of two empty net goals by the Pens.

Goalie Arturs Silovs started the season off with a shutout. He saved all 25 shots he faced and looked good. He is looking like he’ll be the started again tonight vs. the Islanders.

Check out the odds for this matchup and other NHL games at the best online sportsbooks.

New look Islanders look at a fresh start in 2025 with a new look

Islanders rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer takes warmups in preseason.

Well, somehow after missing the playoffs, the Islanders landed the number one pick in this year’s draft. They drafted, as expected, defenseman Matthew Schaefer out of Hamilton Ontario. The kid is only 18 years old and expected to take the league by storm.

The Islanders bid farewell to former General Manager Lou Lamoriello and brought in Mathieu Darche as the new GM and Executive Vice President. It will be interesting to see how Darche does as he already made a big move by letting Noah Dobson go right before the draft. Obviously, he had other plans.

Coach Patrick Roy was retained and still behind the bench. I think he could really be a difference maker if this team can get behind him. He went out of his way to restore his relationship with winger Anthony Duclair, so he wants good chemistry.

Forward Jonthan Drouin signed with the Islanders this off season and looks to be the biggest addition on offense. The returning cast of Mat Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Anders Lee will welcome him with open arms. Drouin will most likely help fill the void of Brock Nelson which ironically enough, they switched teams!

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Odds and Game Information

Islanders vs. Penguins Betting Odds

Puck Line

New York Islanders -1.5 (+186)
Pittsburgh Penguins +1.5 (-235)

Moneyline

New York Islanders -132
Pittsburgh Penguins +110

Totals

Over 5.5 (-120)
Under 5.5 (-102)

Odds courtesy of BetOnline – Get 50% up to $1000 on your first deposit

Islanders vs. Penguins Game Information

Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Puck Drop: 7 p.m. EST
TV: MSGSN, SportsNet PT

New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Picks and Prediction

Penguins players Sidney Crosby and Erik Karlsson discuss the play before puck drop.

Islanders vs. Penguins Picks and Predictions: Game Total Under 5.5 Goals (-102) Get 50% up to $1000 Deposit on BetOnline for this pick

I don’t know why, but I smell a snooze fest here. I do think the Islanders win and that moneyline is playable if you want to dabble. Between it being the Islanders first game and the Pens just scoring three goals, I think we see low scoring.

The sportsbooks think we see goals, but Sorokin is one of the league’s best goalies vs. a guy who just got a shutout vs. the Rangers. I know there’s regression after a shutout, but this could also just be a sloppy game.

Sid the kid always seems to be an Islanders killer and went pointless. I like for him to be involved and to record an assist for -140. It is definitely a little juiced, but there is a power play assist in his future.

I like Jonathan Drouin to record a point for -120. He is going to fit right in with this team, and I think have an immediate impact. Drouin will play left wing on the first line and right wing on the first power play unit.