MATCHUP PREVIEW
The Penguins head back to New York to take on the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum. Pittsburgh has picked up points in its last six games against New York (3-0-3), and is 6-2-3 over its last 11 games versus the Islanders. The Penguins are 5-2-2 in their last nine games versus the Islanders on the road. Pittsburgh’s last regular-season game at the Coliseum came on Dec. 10, 2018 – a 2-1 shootout win for the Penguins. The Penguins are in the midst of a span where they play seven straight games on the road that began on Jan. 26 in Boston (1-2-1). To read an in-depth scouting report on the Islanders from PittsburghPenguins.com, click here.
QUICK HITS
Pittsburgh’s last two home games, originally scheduled for Feb. 2 and 4 against the New Jersey Devils, were postponed by the NHL. The League is in the process of reviewing and revising the Devils’ regular-season schedule, which includes these two games against the Penguins.
Brandon Tanev has six points (3G-3A) in his last five games against the Islanders, which includes one of his two career three-point nights (1G-2A) on March 28, 2019 (5-4 NYI win over WPG).
The Penguins seven-straight games on the road are the most consecutive road games for the team since Pittsburgh played eight-consecutive road contests from Oct. 14-28, 1997.
Tristan Jarry is 3-0-0 with a 1.62 goals-against average, .940 save percentage and one shutout in three career games versus the Islanders.
Pittsburgh’s five points from their rookie skaters (P.O Joseph, 4; Drew O’Connor, 1) are tied for seventh-most in the NHL.
KING OF THE COLISEUM
Throughout his career, Sidney Crosby has played dominant hockey against the New York Islanders. In 67 career games, Crosby has recorded 113 points (36G-67A) against the Islanders, helping Pittsburgh to a 41-17-9 record in those games. He has more than double the amount of multi-point games against them (33) as opposed to games with no points (16), while his 113 total points ranks fourth in NHL history behind Jaromir Jagr (155), Mario Lemieux (131) and Mark Recchi (120). Crosby’s 113 points versus the Islanders are also the most that any active player has against one single team.
INJURY UPDATES
The Penguins got some good news in practice this week, as Zach Aston-Reese, Kris Letang and Mike Matheson all practiced with the team on Thursday and Friday. Matheson was injured in the second game of the season, and has missed Pittsburgh’s last eight games, while Letang was injured in the Penguins contest versus the Rangers on Jan. 30 and missed the last game. Today, the Penguins announced Mike Matheson has been activated off of injured reserve, and Drew O’Connor has been recalled from the taxi squad. Read more here.
Aston-Reese has yet to play this season due to offseason shoulder surgery. The 26-year old finished the 2019-20 campaign with 13 points (6G-7A) and was tied for second on the team with one shorthanded goal in 57 games.Through 10 games, Pittsburgh has 58 man-games lost due to injury. Last season at the 10-game mark, the Penguins had 47 man-games lost.
PLAYER INTERVIEW
Video: Guentzel speaks with the media
SCORE TRIGGER PROMOTIONS
PENGUINS WIN TRIGGER PROMOTIONS
