Penguins
Penguins Lines, Preview & Scouts vs. New York Islanders
The Pittsburgh Penguins (11-10-5) host the New York Islanders (13-10-3) at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins, who managed only a loser point in a home and home series against the New York Islanders on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, trail the Islanders by two points for third place and the automatic playoff bid in the Metro Division.
Patric Hornqvist scored the fastest natural hat trick in Penguins history, Tuesday as the Penguins blew a 3-0 lead but won 6-3. Hornqvist scored three goals in 2:47. Casey DeSmith was the winning goaltender. He stopped a career-high 42 of 45 shots, including a breakaway by NHL second-leading scorer, Nathan MacKinnon. Derick Brassard, Jake Guentzel and Evgeni Malkin also scored for the Penguins.
Guentzel’s goal extended his point streak to five games (4g, 3a). Guentzel has also scored in five straight home games.
The Penguins have three hat tricks in their past five games (Guentzel, Sidney Crosby). The Penguins had only one last season (Malkin. Jan. 30 vs. San Jose).
DeSmith (7-4-3. 2.49 GAA. .923 SV%) will start tonight for the Penguins. Tomas Greiss (9-5-1. 2.39 GAA. .925 SV%) will start for the Islanders.
The Islanders are an astonishing 10-2 against the Metro Division this season. The Islander have lost three of four games, including their second division loss–to the Washington Capitals on Nov. 26. The Winnipeg Jets beat the Islanders 3-1, Tuesday night.
Injuries
Penguins
Matt Cullen. Lower Body. IR.
Matt Murray. Lower Body. IR.
Justin Schultz. Leg Fracture. IR.
Islanders
Andrew Ladd. IR.
Special Teams
Penguins Power Play: 24.7%. (8th NHL)
Islanders Power Play: 15% (28h NHL)
Penguins Penalty Kill: 82.7% (7th NHL)
Islanders Penalty Kill: 78% (18th NHL)
Penguins Lines
LW | C | RW |
---|---|---|
Jake Guentzel | Sidney Crosby | Bryan Rust |
Jason Zucker | Evgeni Malkin | Rickard Rakell |
Danton Heinen | Ryan Poehling | Kasperi Kapanen |
Brock McGinn | Sam Poulin | Drew O'Connor |
LD | RD |
---|---|
Brian Dumoulin | Kris Letang |
Marcus Pettersson | Jeff Petry |
P.O Joseph | Jan Rutta |
Goalie |
---|
Tristan Jarry |
Casey DeSmith |
SCOUTS In Attendance
Toronto Maple Leafs
St. Louis Blues (2nd straight game)
New Jersey Devils
Calgary Flames
New York Rangers (local scout)