About the Islanders - 11-27-09
A preview of the Islanders.
When and where: 2 p.m. Nassau Coliseum.
TV: FSN Pittsburgh, MSG Plus.
Record: 9-9-7, 25 points. The Islanders are in 12th place in the Eastern Conference and last place in the Atlantic Division.
Leading Scorer: John Tavares, 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists).
Last Game: 2-1 home loss to the Flyers, Wednesday. Trent Hunter (right) scored the Islanders' only goal.
Last Game against the Penguins: 4-3 home shootout loss, Oct. 3. Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby scored the Penguins' shootout goals.
Islanders Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Trent Hunter. He comes into this contest with an eight-game scoring streak..
Ex-Penguins on the Islanders: Eric Cairns, Assistant Player Development, Matt Moulson, LW (Molson's a former Penguins draft pick and never actually played for the organization in any capacity); Richard Park, RW, Jon Sim, LW; Garth Snow, general manager; Bryan Trottier, executive director of player development.
Ex-Islanders on the Penguins: Dan Bylsma, Head Coach (former assistant coach with the Islanders); Ruslan Fedotenko, LW; Tom Fitzgerald, Assistant to the General Manager; Eric Godard, RW; Bill Guerin, RW.
Useless Islanders Trivia Vaguely Related to the Penguins: The last Islanders hat trick in the 1990s was scored by former Penguins forward Zigmund Palffy. He scored three goals, including two short-handed, in a 7-2 win at Mellon Arena, March 17, 1999. Tom Barrasso allowed one while Petr Skudra gave up two.
Best Islanders YouTube Video We Could Find: Islanders forward Mike Bossy's overtime goal against the Canucks in Game 1 of the 1982 Stanley Cup final against the Canucks:
-Look for Canucks goaltender Richard Brodeur's slap at the camera man following the game at the 1:20 mark.
Notes:
-Brent Johnson (3-1-0, 3.01 GAA, .897 SV%) and Dwayne Roloson (7-2-5, 2.86 GAA, .916 SV%) are your expected starters in net.
-For the Penguins, defenseman Alex Goligoski ("lower-body") is out. Forwards Tyler Kennedy (groin/hip), Chris Kunitz ("lower-body"), defensemen Kris Letang (shoulder) and Jay McKee (finger) are on injured reserve.
-For the Islanders, forwards Jeremy Reich (wrist), Doug Weight ("upper body"), goaltender Rick DiPietro (knee) and defenseman (knee) are on injured reserve.
-"He's probably one of the best backup goalies in the league." - Maxime Talbot on Brent Johnson.
-Bill Guerin hosted Thanksgiving dinner at his house on Long Island for the team.
-Tickets two this game were still available as of 6 a.m.
-The Penguins will be wearing their blue throwback jerseys.
-Our live blog begins at approximately 2 p.m. Please tune in.
(Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)