[8:10 PM] Penguins @ Islanders

Who will WIN this matchup?

Pittsburgh Penguins (13-6-3)

@ New York Islanders (7-10-4)

 

Starting Goalies:

Matt Murray (PIT): Confirmed

Thomas Greiss(NYI): Confirmed

 

• The Pittsburgh Penguins have been battling maddening bouts of inconsistency, but are still near the top of the Metropolitan Division as they prepare to visit the New York Islanders on Wednesday night. The reigning Stanley Cup champions have endured losses by six, four and three goals over the past two weeks.

• Pittsburgh received a boost when injured forwards Patric Hornqvist and Chris Kunitz, who have missed six and four games, respectively, returned to practice Tuesday. Kunitz (lower body) still is not ready to play, but Hornqvist could be back in the lineup against the Islanders after being sidelined due to a concussion.

• Aside from its struggles away from home, winning just once in eight games, New York’s offense remains stuck in the mud while failing to score more than two regulation goals in the past eight contests. One positive sign for the Islanders in the win over Calgary was a first-period tally by captain John Tavares, which snapped a nine-game goal drought.

• Pittsburgh won both matchups against the Islanders this season, including a 3-2 overtime decision at Barclays Center on Nov. 18

• Tavares has 10 goals and 26 points in 37 games against Pittsburgh.

• Crosby has tormented the Islanders with 31 goals and 98 points in 56 games.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Pittsburgh Penguins

Confidence: 5/10

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