Penguins Game 37, Fish Sticks; Lines, Notes & How to Watch @ Islanders

The Pittsburgh Penguins (16-15-5) hit the NHL holiday break with a chest-thumping win over their rival Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Their Metro Division swing continues Saturday when they visit the slowly backsliding New York Islanders (13-15-7) at UBS Arena.

The puck drops just after 7:30, and then the two teams will race to Pittsburgh to play again on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. We assume the schedule makers had a few pops that day, but we’ve made the drive here and will make it back.

The Penguins have points in 10 of their last 13 games and have won nine of them. The vivid contrast between the last 13 games and the first 24 has been stunning. The Penguins are holding leads, minimizing mistakes, and, most importantly, enjoying the task of playing defense.

Read More: Penguins Room: Simple Q, ‘What’s the No. 1 Reason for Better Defensive Play?’ (+)

Sidney Crosby continued his dominance of the Flyers franchise on Monday, which goes back to his very first game as a rookie in 2005, in which he scored an overtime winner.

Crosby broke his 10-game goalless skid with a goal and three assists. The Penguins shut down the Flyers in the third period, allowing just six shots on goal in the 7-3 win.

Conversely, the NHL trade rumors have begun to swirl around New York. The Athletic’s recent trade board called Islanders center Brock Nelson’s eventual trade “inevitable.”

The frustration has boiled with coach Patrick Roy, as his team has lost three of the last four, including getting blown out by the imploding Buffalo Sabres 7-1 on Monday.

There were no Islanders highlights. Adding salt to the wounds, the Islanders have the worst power play in the NHL, converting at just 12%, and the worst penalty kill, too.

Tristan Jarry is the likely starter for the Penguins. Ilya Sorokin is the likely ‘tendy for New York.

Penguins Injuries: Penguins defenseman Marcus Pettersson remains out with a lower-body injury but participated in practice Friday. However, defenseman Owen Pickering remains out with a concussion.

Update: Pettersson has been cleared for contact, but will not play Saturday.

Penguins Lines

Rickard Rakell-Sidney Crosby-Bryan Rust

Michael Bunting-Evgeni Malkin-Drew O’Connor

Anthony Beauvillier-Cody Glass-Phil Tomasino

Matt Nieto-Blake Lizotte-Noel Acciari

Defense

P.O Joseph-Kris Letang

Matt Grzelcyk-Erik Karlsson

Ryan Graves-Ryan Shea

Goalie: Tristan Jarry

Islanders Lines

Anders Lee–Mathew Barzal–Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Anthony Duclair–Brock Nelson–Kyle Palmieri

Maxim Tsyplakov–Bo Horvat–Simon Holmstrom

Kyle MacLean–Casey Cizikas–Hudson Fasching

Defense

Alexander Romanov–Noah Dobson

Adam Pelech–Ryan Pulock

Isaiah George–Scott Mayfield

Goalies: Ilya Sorokin

Special Teams

Penguins power play: 24.5%, 7th. Penguins penalty kill: 82.4%, 9th.

Islanders Power Play: 12.0%, 32nd. Islanders Penalty Kill: 64.4, 32nd.

Penguins Game Notes

Long Island often means overtime for the Penguins, who are 6-4-4 in their last 14 games against the Islanders.

How to Watch