Skip to content

Penguins vs. Islanders: 3 things you need to know

Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Penguins won their first meeting with the New York Islanders 3-1 on Oct. 18, but since then, the Islanders have asserted themselves as much improved over last season.

With Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy on the back end, the Islanders are ready to face the Penguins again with a new jump in their step.

The Penguins sit first with 28 points and the Islanders sit second with 26 points in the Metropolitan Division. It'll be a tough fight considering the two teams faced each other just one night ago.

Here are three things you need to know:

Dupuis out long-term

The Penguins announced this week that one of their key pieces would be out for the next six months due to a blood clot in his lung. Pascal Dupuis is one of the veteran players on the team, playing on the first two lines.

In 16 games, he scored 11 points, and the Penguins will have to figure out how to replace him. His production may be easier to duplicate than his presence.

There's no question the team will be just fine on the ice without Dupuis once the new lines get used to each other, but the transition period may be rocky.

Islanders seeing double

The Islanders snapped a five-game winning streak with a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 15. Three nights later, the team swapped the score and beat the Lightning 5-2.

The same could happen against the Penguins, who play a home-and-home against the Islanders just like the Lightning did.

The Islanders beat the Penguins 5-4 in a shootout on Friday. New York improved to 8-4-0 away from Nassau Coliseum. It was the Penguins' first non-regulation loss of the season at Consol Energy Center.

2's company

If the Islanders can win both games against the Penguins this weekend, they can tie the Penguins for first place atop the Metropolitan Division with 28 points, although Pittsburgh will have a game in hand.

The Islanders held a record of 7-10-3 at this point last season. Their current record of 12-6-0 is a drastic upgrade, thanks in large part to their offseason additions.

The Penguins are 13-3-2 this season, markedly better than their 12-7-0 record at this point in 2013. Both teams have improved, and their weekend matchups are must-see TV.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox