For the second time in a week, the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins will go toe-to-toe on Thursday, but this time in a new location. After two tight contests at Nassau Coliseum, the scene shifts to Pittsburgh for the first game of a two game set.

The Season Series

The two meetings between the Islanders and Penguins so far have been thrillers. The first meeting took place on February 6, and it was a back and forth affair with the two teams trading goals throughout the first two periods. However, after the Penguins pulled ahead early in the third period, a goal by Cal Clutterbuck and power play marker by Anders Lee propelled the Islanders to a 4-3 victory.

The second meeting five days later was just as tight as the first. The two teams traded goals, and the Islanders seemingly had all the momentum after pulling ahead on a late highlight reel goal by Mathew Barzal. However, a six-on-five goal from Evgeni Malkin tied things up with 18 seconds left in regulation, and the Penguins prevailed in the shootout by a 4-3 final.

Separate Ways

Since the two teams last met, the Pens traveled to Washington for two games against the Capitals. The Penguins took the first one on Sunday by a 6-3 tally. Bryan Rust scored two goals and added an assist, and Jake Guentzel had a goal and two helpers of his own. However, the second game went to Washington by a 3-1 score on Tuesday. Zach Aston-Reese scored the lone Pittsburgh goal. However, Tristan Jarry played well to keep his team in the game, making 39 stops on 42 shots.

Meanwhile, the Islanders won all three of their games since the shootout loss. They hosted the Boston Bruins first and knocked them off 4-2 on a pair of goals by Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Mat Barzal scored the game-winning power play goal. The Islanders then travelled to Buffalo where they won their next two games 3-1 and 3-0. Pageau and Lee each scored at least one goal in each game, and Josh Bailey added two assists in each game as well. Ilya Sorokin was the star of the second game, recording his first National Hockey League win and shutout with 20 saves, including several show-stoppers.

Players to Watch

One of the Penguins’ best players this year has been Bryan Rust. He has points in all but four of the team’s games this year, and he had a three game point streak (3-3-6) snapped on Tuesday in Washington.

Zach Aston-Reese has also played well recently. His first game of the season was the second game against the Islanders. He has been impressive in the three games he played, scoring a goal in each game and accumulating a +4 rating. He looks to extend his goal streak to four games against the team he started his season against.

The two hottest players on the Islanders’ have been Mat Barzal and J-G Pageau. Barzal enjoyed a nine game point streak that came to an end on Tuesday, but the 23-year-old has impressed this season. He tallied four goals and seven assists for 11 points during his streak, and he has six goals and nine assists for 15 points cumulatively. Pageau is riding a four game goal streak entering tonight, with five goals in that span. Add in his strong two way play, and he should continue to contribute to the Islanders’ third line.

Thursday night’s matchup between the Islanders and Penguins will take place at 7:00 p.m. at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The game will be broadcast nationally on NHL Network, locally on Long Island on MSG+ and locally in Pittsburgh on AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh. On the radio, the game can be found on 105.9 WXDX-FM in the Pittsburgh area and 88.7 WHRU-FM on Long Island.

Matthew Page

I am a first year student at Hofstra University and an avid Islanders fan. I have been writing for Drive4Five since March 2020. My family has been season ticket holders for the team since 2016, and hockey is my favorite sport. As I expand my knowledge in the field of Journalism, I am writing to express my love for the Islanders and the NHL.