The New York Islanders, one of the biggest surprises of the 2018-19 NHL season, will host the Pittsburgh Penguins Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. Eastern in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference Quarterfinal.

We finished the regular season at 22-15 in NHL picks and look to keep rolling through these playoffs.

Odds provided by FanDuel; for a full-set of today's sports betting odds, access them at USA TODAY Sports.

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders: By the Numbers

• The Metropolitan Division opponents split the season series 2-2, with each team winning once in regulation and once in a shootout. The Penguins took an 11-10 edge in actual goals.
• Each team finished the regular season with a +32 goal differential, but the Islanders scored 45 fewer goals and allowed an additional 45.
• The Islanders were the only team to allow fewer than 200 goals through 82 games.

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders: Projected Goalie Starters

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Murray vs. Robin Lehner

Murray was in net for both losses to the Islanders and neither of the victories. He stopped five of nine shots in the first meeting and 24 of 26 in the ensuing shootout loss. The 24-year-old has already played in 44 career playoff games and is coming off a career-high 50 regular-season starts.

Lehner represented the (slightly) better half of the Islanders' goaltending tandem this season, alongside Thomas Greiss. He hit career highs in both save percentage and goals against average and went 1-0-1 in his two starts against the Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders: Key Injuries

Penguins D Kris Letang and C Evgeni Malkin were able to return for the end of the regular season and are good to go. D Brian Dumoulin and LW Zach Aston-Reese will be game-time decisions Wednesday.

The Islanders' lone absence will be LW Andrew Ladd, who hasn't played since March 24 when he tore his ACL. He's out for the postseason.

Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders: NHL Best Bet

Moneyline: Both teams are laying money in Game 1, but the Islanders are the slight favorites at -115. The Penguins' experience may ultimately pull through in the series, but back the Islanders in their first home playoff game since 2015-16.

Against the spread: The Islanders relied heavily on defense and goaltending this season, but 28 of their 48 wins came by at least two goals, including their first win over Pittsburgh. It pays a handsome +240 to pick the Islanders to cover -1.5.

Over/under: The total's been set at 5.5, a number the teams played to either side of twice this year. Trust in the New York defense in a 3-1 or 4-1 victory, and take the UNDER at -115.

Follow Esten on Twitter @EstenMcLaren

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