About the Islanders - 02-02-11
A preview of the Islanders.
When and where: 7 p.m., Consol Energy Center.
TV: FSN Pittsburgh, MSG Plus, Versus.
Record: 16-27-7, 39 points. The Islanders are in 14th place in the Eastern Conference and fourth place in the Atlantic Division.
Leading Scorer: John Tavares, 38 points (18 goals, 20 assists).
Last Game: 4-1 road win against the Thrashers, last night. Kyle Okposo had two goals and an assist for the Islanders.
Last Game against the Penguins: 1-0 road loss to the Penguins, Jan. 25. Marc-Andre Fleury made 29 saves for the Penguins.
Islanders Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Michael Grabner (above). He has points in eight of his last nine games.
Ex-Penguins on the Islanders: Eric Cairns, player development; Mark Eaton, D; Matt Moulson, LW (Moulson was a Penguins draft pick but never actually played for the organization); Garth Snow, general manager.
Ex-Islanders on the Penguins: Arron Asham, RW; Mike Comrie, C; Dan Bylsma, head coach; Eric Godard, RW.
Useless Islanders Trivia Vaguely Related to the Penguins: The Islanders haven't had a shutout against the Penguins since Jan. 9, 1986, a year and a half prior to Sidney Crosby being born. Kelly Hrudey made 27 saves in a 9-0 home win.
Best Islanders Video We Could Find: Former Islanders forward Butch Goring twisting Bruins defenseman Raymond Bourque and goaltender Pete Peeters inside out for a goal in Game 6 of the Wales Conference Final:
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Probable goaltenders: Brent Johnson (8-4-2, 2.04 GAA, .926 SV%) for the Penguins and Rick DiPietro (7-9-4, 3.42 GAA, .890 SV%) for the Islanders.
Injuries: For the Penguins, forward Evgeni Malkin (knee/sinus infection) and Arron Asham (undisclosed) are questionable. Forward Mark Letestu (knee) is doubtful. Forwards Mike Comrie (hip), Sidney Crosby (concussion) and defenseman Alex Grant (wrist) are on injured reserve. For the Islanders, defensemen Mark Eaton (hip), Milan Jurcina ("upper body"), Mike Mottau (hip/eye), Mark Streit (shoulder), forwards Trent Hunter (knee), Doug Weight (back) and goaltender goaltender Nathan Lawson (knee) are on injured reserve.
Potential lines and defensive pairings: The Penguins primary lines and defensive pairings for last night's game against the Rangers were:
Chris Kunitz - Dustin Jeffrey - Pascal Dupuis
Matt Cooke - Jordan Staal - Tyler Kennedy
Mike Rupp - Maxime Talbot - Chris Conner
Eric Godard - Craig Adams - Arron Asham
Brooks Orpik - Kris Letang
Paul Martin - Zbynek Michalek
Alex Goligoski - Deryk Engelland
-The Islanders primary lines and defensive pairings for last night's game against the Thrashers were:
Matt Moulson - John Tavares - PA Parenteau
Michael Grabner - Frans Nielsen - Kyle Okposo
Blake Comeau - Josh Bailey - Jeremy Colliton
Matt Martin - Zenon Konopka - Rob Schremp
Andrew MacDonald - Travis Hamonic
Radek Martinek - Jack Hillen
Bruno Gervais - Dylan Reese
Notes:
-Staal's automatic one-game suspension was rescinded by the NHL.
-Talbot has 49 career goals and 99 career points.
-Dupuis has 99 career points with the Penguins.
-Islanders goaltender Evgeni Nabokov remains suspended for not reporting to the team.
-Our live blog begins at approximately 6 p.m. Please tune in.
(Photo: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)