Islanders Vs. Penguins Gameday: Monumental Matchup; Torts Rides Again

The Islanders close out their five-game homestand tonight, with all the stakes on the line. It’s part of a critical back-to-back — they’re all “critical” right now — that finishes tomorrow in Buffalo. But tonight they can inflict direct damage on a fellow playoff spot contender and potential first-round opponent.

The Pittsburgh Penguins arrive having lost in regulation Saturday to the Stars, but bringing Sidney Crosby along in case he can return to the lineup tonight. They’re a point behind the Islanders but with a game in hand. And thanks to a late Bruins (92 pts., 74 games) comeback and shootout win in Columbus last night, both the Isles (89 pts., 74 games) and Pens (88 pts., 73 games) remain ahead of the Blue Jackets (88 pts., 74 games).

Islanders News

• Takeaways from Saturday afternoon’s surging comeback win over the Panthers: “Don’t wait for the third period” like they did against Chicago, says Brayden Schenn. [Isles]
• A stunning afternoon turned around another deflating poor matinee start. [LHH]
• It was a good time for their best offensive period of the season. [Post | Newsday]
• Nice moment for some of the depth pieces to step up, too. [Newsday]
• Updating the Islanders’ prospect cupboard and overall ranking (#12), with high praise for Calum Ritchie, Kashawn Aitcheson, Victor Eklund, Cole Eiserman, Dmitri Gamzin and others. [Athletic]
• Eklumd The Greater was the shootout hero in his AHL debut, after hitting the post in OT, too. [THN]
• The Skinny: “Schaefer now has 195 shots on goal; the last rookie defenseman with at least 200 shots was Dion Phaneuf in 2005-06. Noah Dobson (206 in 2022-23 and 196 last season) is the only Islander defenseman with more shots on goal in the last 20 years.” [Isles]
• Enter your personal data for a chance to win the jersey off someone’s back on Fan Appreciation Night. [Isles form]

Elsewhere

Last night’s NHL scores.

• Speaking of the Bruins (tangentially so), their old coach Bruce Cassidy, who guided Vegas to its only Stanley Cup, has been fired by the Knights and replaced by John Tortorella — a desperate move by a franchise that’s always making “bold” moves as if its owner’s biological clock is ticking. [NHL | Sportsnet]
• The Knights have not had a great year in a weak division. But is that on the coach, or is their roster (and particularly their terrible goaltending) not as good as they think it is? [Athletic]
• Discussing why save percentages are down and why that trend is here to stay (until the next correction). [NHL]
• The Maple Leafs rolled over for the Blues but they can look past that to revenge against the Ducks tonight, even if Radko Gudas is already hurt. [Sportsnet]
• The Red Wings are right on the playoff line, in danger of missing yet again. Should that finally put Steve Yzerman on the hot seat? [Sportsnet]
• After about a decade in the organization, Rich Peverley is now an AGM in Dallas. [TSN]