Game Preview: New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 2/5/13
Tuesday, 02.05.2013 / 12:00 AM
/ News
By Travis Betts
PrintNew York Islanders 4-3-1 (9 points – 3rd in Atlantic Division, 7th in Eastern Conference) 1-2-0 home |
Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3-0 (12 points – 1st in Atlantic Division, 3rd in Eastern Conference) 5-1-0 road |
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| 7:00 p.m. Nassau Coliseum Uniondale, NY Television: MSG+ Radio: WHRU 88.7 FM Chris King: Play-by-play |
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| Season series (1-0-0) The Islanders won the only matchup vs. Pittsburgh thus far 4-1 at CONSOL Energy Center on Jan. 29. Casey Cizikas scored his first NHL goal, while Matt Moulson (one goal, one assist) and Frans Nielsen (two assists) each registered multi-point games. The Islanders power play went 2-for-2, converting on its only two shots, while the penalty kill defended all three Pittsburgh man advantages. Evgeni Nabokov made 37 saves, holding the Penguins off the board for the first 58:51 of the contest. Jan. 29, 2013: NYI 4, PIT 1 - RECAP, BOX SCORE, HIGHLIGHTS |
Penguins player to watch Chris Kunitz - Left WingChris Kunitz started the 2012-13 campaign slow, with one goal and three assists in the first seven games. But playing on Sidney Crosby’s left wing, the 33-year-old has posted seven points (five goals, two assists) in his last two contests, including a four-goal outing at Washington Sunday in the Penguins’ most recent game. More impressive was the fact he accomplished the feat by taking only four shots on goal. |
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| Islanders Storylines •The Islanders rank second in the Eastern Conference (third overall) at 29.0% (9/31) on the power play, and rank second in the East (third overall) on the penalty kill at 92.9% (26/28) •Tonight's game is the third of nine consecutive contests for the Islanders in the NY/NJ metro area. The Islanders are 1-1-0 so far, with both games coming against New Jersey •C John Tavares ranks fourth among NHL forwards with 21.42 of ice time per game •C Keith Aucoin leads the league in faceoff percentage among players who have taken at least 35 draws at 64.0% (57-for-89) |
The Matchup | |||
| Islanders 29.0 (9/31) 92.9% (26/28) 27 26 4-3-1 |
Power play Penalty kill Goals for Goals against Last 10 games |
Penguins 23.5% (8/34) 81.8% (27/33) 22 12 6-3-0 |
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| New York Islanders projected lines Forwards 26 Matt Moulson - 91 John Tavares - 24 Brad Boyes 40 Michael Grabner - 51 Frans Nielsen - 21 Kyle Okposo 41 David Ullstrom - 10 Keith Aucoin - 13 Colin McDonald 17 Matt Martin - 16 Marty Reasoner - 53 Casey Cizikas Defensemen 2 Mark Streit - 37 Brian Strait 47 Andrew MacDonald – 3 Travis Hamonic 14 Thomas Hickey - 7 Matt Carkner Goaltenders 20 Evgeni Nabokov 39 Rick DiPietro |
Pittsburgh Penguins projected lines Forwards 14 Chris Kunitz - 87 Sidney Crosby – 9 Pascal Dupuis 18 James Neal – 71 Evgeni Malkin – 17 Zach Boychuk 24 Matt Cooke – 16 Brandon Sutter – 48 Tyler Kennedy 10 Tanner Glass – 46 Joe Vitale – 27 Craig Adams Defensemen 7 Paul Martin – 44 Brooks Orpik 47 Simon Despres – 58 Kris Letang 5 Deryk Engelland – Robert Bortuzzo Goaltenders 29 Marc-Andre Fleury 92 Tomas Vokoun |
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What's happening at the Coliseum - Feb. 5 •Doors Open at 5:45pm •Lower Lobby New Concession Stands – open at 5pm •New Team Store location at Gate 1 •Team Store Deal: Spend $100 and receive a NY Islanders fleece OR spend $150 and receive 2 tickets to a select future game •50/50 Raffle •Chuck-a-puck •Sandy Hook Auction |
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