Post-Game Talk: #17| New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins | February 20th | 7:00 PM | F/L 3-2

MattMartin · Feb 19, 2021

Game Preview: Islanders @ Penguins

The New York Islanders look to get back in the win column on Saturday night at PPG Paints Arena as they play a rematch against the very team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, that handed them their first regulation loss in nine games on Wednesday night.

The Islanders and Penguins will meet for the fourth of six meetings during the month of February as the East Division rivals go head-to-head for the second-straight game.

ISLANDERS NOTES:

• With the loss, the Islanders' point streak ended at eight games 5-0-3. During that span, Barzal recorded 11 points (4G, 7A), Josh Bailey totaled eight points (1G, 7A), Jean-Gabriel Pageau picked up seven points (5G, 2A), Lee posted six points (4G, 2A) and Nick Leddy compiled five points (1G, 4A). Between the pipes, Varlamov made five-straight starts and played in six of the eight games while Ilya Sorokin played in two, and earned his first-career win and first-career shutout against Buffalo on Feb. 16.

• Nelson's tally on the power play marked his fourth goal of the season and second goal in the last three games. All four of Nelson's goals this season have been conversions on the power play. Through 16 games, the center has seven points (4G, 3A).

• With an assist on Nelson's goal, Bailey extended his personal point streak to three games with five points, all assists, during that stretch. Bailey is now tied with Leddy for the second-most assists on the Islanders leaderboard this season, each with eight, behind only Barzal's nine helpers. Through 16 games, Bailey has registered nine points (1G, 8A).

• Leddy extended his individual point streak to three games with an assist on Nelson's goal. The defenseman has three assists in as many games and leads the team in power-play points with five (1G, 4A). Through 16 games this season, Leddy has totaled nine points (1G, 8A), the most among the Islanders blueline.

• Varlamov made his 12th start of the season, while his record dropped to 7-3-2. The Russian netminder has a 1.99 GAA and a .930 SV%. His three shutouts this season are still tied with Anaheim's John Gibson for the most across the league.

• The Islanders didn't score a goal until the third period on Thursday. The Islanders are 7-1-1 when scoring first and are 1-4-2 when allowing the opening goal.

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PENGUINS NOTES:

• Crosby scored his sixth goal of the season and now is tied with linemate Bryan Rust for the team lead. Crosby also skated in his 999th career NHL game on Thursday and is poised to reach the impressive 1,000 game milestone in Saturday's rematch against the Islanders. This season, the Penguins captain has totaled 13 points (6G, 7A) through 15 games. In his last five games, Crosby has as many points (2G, 3A).

• Blueger scored his third goal of the season, which served as the game-winner. The center now has nine points (3G, 6A) through 15 games.

• With an assist on Blueger's goal, Zach Aston-Reese extended his point streak to four games. Since making his season debut - after recovering from an offseason upper-body injury - the center has four points (3G, 1A) in as many games.

• With a two-point (1G, 1A) outing, Zucker lit the lamp for the fourth time this season. The winger now has seven points (4G, 3A) in 15 games.

• Rust iced the game with an empty-net goal as he scored his sixth goal of the season. In his last five games, the winger has four goals and eight points during that span. Through 15 games this season, Rust has totaled a team-best 15 points (6G, 9A).

• Malkin posted two assists on Thursday night bringing his season total to nine points (3G, 6A) through 15 games.

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Possible Starting Goalies:

Semyon Varlamov

Player	GP	GS	W	L	T	OT	SA	GA	GAA	S	SV%	SO	MIN
Semyon Varlamov	12	12	7	3	0	2	341	24	1.99	317	.930	3	725
Ilya Sorokin	4	4	1	2	0	1	105	11	2.74	94	.895	1	242