Islanders Gm 60: Barzal Out Indefinitely, Pivotal Game vs. Penguins

The New York Islanders (28-24-7) play their most pivotal game to date as they face off against the Pittsburgh Penguins (27-19-9) Monday. Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET at PPG & Paints Arena.

After defeating the Penguins on Friday night, a comeback 5-4 win, the Islanders were destroyed against the Boston Bruins, 6-2.

Despite the loss, Pittsburgh, the Washington Capitals, and the Florida Panthers all lost in regulation Saturday night, which kept the Islanders in the second wild-card spot.

A win over Pittsburgh Monday makes Saturday’s debacle an afterthought.

The biggest question mark heading into Monday was the health status of Mathew Barzal, who left Saturday’s game just six minutes in with what appeared to be a lower-body injury.

The Islanders announced that Barzal is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. Islanders head coach Lane Lambert would not give a timetable for his return and said he will leave it at that when asked about Barzal’s availability for training camp.

The Islanders are already without Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Josh Bailey, with Islanders head coach Lane Lambert sharing that both were not making the trip to Pittsburgh.

On Saturday evening, 24-year-old forward Arnaud Durandeau was recalled from Bridgeport on an emergency basis. He will skate with Hudson Fasching and Casey Cizikas in his NHL debut.

Ilya Sorokin was the first goaltender off the ice as he starts against Pittsburgh.

Simon Holmstrom joins Bo Horvat and Anders Lee on the top line in Barzal’s spot.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Anders Lee-Bo Horvat-Simon Holmtrom
Zach Parise-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Hudson Fasching-Casey Cizikas-Arnaud Durandeau
Ross Johnston-Andy Andreoff-Matt Martin

Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS LINES (PROJECTED)

Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell
Jason Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust
Brock McGinn-Jeff Carter-Kasperi Kapanen
Logan O’Connor-Teddy Blueger-David Archibald

Brian Dumoulin-Kris Letang
Marcus Pettersson-Jeff Petry
P.O. Joseph- Chad Ruhwedel

Casey DeSmith
Dustin Tokarski

ISLANDERS NOTES

Tonight, the New York Islanders visit the Pittsburgh Penguins in the third of four matchups between the two clubs this season, and the Islanders’ first visit to PPG Paints Arena since April 14, 2022.

The Islanders and Penguins last met just three days ago, on February 17, when Brock Nelson and Anders Lee each recorded multi-goal games to help the Islanders earn a 5-4 comeback victory at UBS Arena.

The Islanders enter tonight’s matchup with an 11-5-1 record against Metropolitan Division teams this season and have won three of their last four meetings with the Penguins.

DRAFTKINGS BETTING CORNER

Do you think the New York Islanders will beat the Pittsburgh Penguins? You can get the Islanders at +115 & -215 on the revere puck line. The Penguins come in at -135 & +185 on the puck line.

The over for the contest is 6 at -105, with the under at -115.

Head over to DraftKings to place your bets now!

HOW TO WATCH

Monday’s contest will be available on MSGN. On the radio dial, the game can be heard on 1050 AM ESPN, 88.7 FM WRHU, and 103.9 FM LI News Radio.