New York Islanders (32-25-8, fourth in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (32-22-9, fifth in the Metropolitan Division)
Pittsburgh; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST
BOTTOM LINE: The New York Islanders visit the Pittsburgh Penguins after the Penguins took down the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 in overtime.
Pittsburgh has a 6-7-4 record in Metropolitan Division games and a 32-22-9 record overall. The Penguins have conceded 202 goals while scoring 205 for a +3 scoring differential.
New York has a 12-5-1 record in Metropolitan Division play and a 32-25-8 record overall. The Islanders have conceded 172 goals while scoring 188 for a +16 scoring differential.
Thursday’s game is the fifth time these teams match up this season. The Islanders won 5-1 in the last matchup.
TOP PERFORMERS: Evgeni Malkin has 23 goals and 43 assists for the Penguins. Jason Zucker has eight goals over the past 10 games.
Brock Nelson has 27 goals and 34 assists for the Islanders. Anders Lee has five goals and three assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Penguins: 5-5-0, averaging 3.4 goals, six assists, 4.1 penalties and 10.8 penalty minutes while giving up 3.7 goals per game.
Islanders: 6-2-2, averaging 2.9 goals, 4.8 assists, 3.7 penalties and 8.8 penalty minutes while giving up 2.2 goals per game.
INJURIES: Penguins: Bryan Rust: day to day (personal), Mikael Granlund: day to day (illness), Ryan Poehling: out (upper body).
Islanders: Jean-Gabriel Pageau: out (upper-body), Mathew Barzal: out (lower body), Cal Clutterbuck: out (upper body).
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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