The New York Islanders (34-29-9) fight to stay alive in the playoff hunt against the Pittsburgh Penguins (42-22-11) Thursday at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we look at the Islanders vs. Penguins odds and lines, and make our expert NHL picks, predictions and bets.

The Islanders are on life support, 15 points out of the final playoff spot with 10 games to go. They have won six of eight, including a 5-4 shootout win over the Pens at home Tuesday. LW Zach Parise scored twice to lead the way. Pittsburgh jumped out to a 1-0 lead, but the Isles stormed back with three of their own. This is a scrappy team that plays physically.

The Pens are short-handed with C Evgeni Malkin serving a four-game suspension for cross checking. C Jake Guentzel stepped up Tuesday with two goals and an assist.

Islanders at Penguins odds, spread and lines

• Money line: Islanders +135 (bet $100 to win $135) | Penguins -170 (bet $170 to win $100)
• Against the spread (ATS): Islanders +1.5 (-200) | Penguins -1.5 (+150)
• Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)

Islanders at Penguins projected goalies

Ilya Sorokin (24-14-7, 2.30 GAA, .927 SV%, 6 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (33-18-6, 2.41 GAA, .919 SV%, 4 SO)

Even though he gave up four goals Tuesday, Sorokin made 43 saves in the game. After missing 10 days with an injury, he has now beaten Carolina and Pittsburgh. Sorokin had a 1.98 GAA in March, and he will be the X-factor in this one. Sorokin was a tough-luck 1-0 loser to Pittsburgh earlier this season, and he has stopped 72 of 77 shots with a 2.44 GAA against them this year.

Jarry has been off since Saturday, but he has been jarred of late. He has lost five games in a row, and his 3.61 GAA this month is concerning after the late-season swoon we saw from him last year. Jarry stopped all 25 shots in the 1-0 shutout against the Isles earlier this season.

Money line

Pittsburgh is just 3-6-1 in the last 10 games, and they’re without one of their top centers. They needed overtime for two of those wins. The Islanders are playing well and still have a chance to make the playoffs. They’ve also beaten Pittsburgh four out of the last five games with that lone loss being 1-0. There’s a decent chance the ISLANDERS (+135) pull off another one as the underdog on the road.

Against the spread

There’s no value on the puck line here. PASS.

Over/Under

The Over and Under have taken turns in this series with each hitting three times in the last six meetings. We’re going to give the edge to the Over here with the way Jarry has been playing. The Over is 5-1 the last six times the Isles have a day of rest. LEAN OVER 5.5 (-112).