New York Islanders

Islanders Game 34 Preview vs. Pittsburgh Penguins: Lines & How To Watch

Published

4 months ago

December 27, 2023

The New York Islanders return from the NHL’s holiday break as they welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to UBS Arena tonight. Here’s what you need to know before puck drop.

Wahlstrom Back In:

It appears that Oliver Wahlstrom will draw back into the lineup tonight after being scratched in the team’s final game before the break, a seemingly permanent position for him by all indications.

Wahlstrom has played in just two of the Islanders’ last 11 games.

Back in against Pittsburgh, Islanders head coach Lane Lambert laid out some pretty clear and simplistic expectations for Wahlstrom.

“We’re just looking for him to go up and down, contribute offensively and be responsible defensively,” Lambert said. “That’s certainly a possibility for him tonight.”

Lambert also said he’d like for Wahlstrom to take more shots.

In 18 games, Wahlstrom has five points with two goals.

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the devastating lower-body injury that forced Wahlstrom to miss 47 games last season, which he suffered against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Mayfield At Practice, Still Injured:

Scott Mayfield has missed the Islanders’ last six games and hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Dec. 11. The defenseman rejoined the team at morning skate today for the first time since the injury in a crucial first step towards his eventual return.

Injured Scott Mayfield Rejoins Islanders At Morning Skate

Projected Lineup:

Lee-Horvat-Barzal

Engvall-Nelson-Palmieri

Holmstrom-Pageau-Wahlstrom

Fasching-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Romanov-Dobson

Bolduc-Bortuzzo

Reilly-Aho

Sorokin

Varlamov

Last Time Out:

The Islanders rolled into the Christmas break on a high after taking down the Carolina Hurricanes, 5-4, at PNC Arena.

Six players had multiple points in the win, but the real difference was the goaltending. After watching the Hurricanes, the Islanders should be grateful to have Ilya Sorokin in their net.

Instant Islanders: Takeaways From 5-4 Win Over Hurricanes

The Opponent:

The Pittsburgh Penguins enter tonight’s contest at 15-13-4 and seven points back of the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division.

Pittsburgh is 4-3-3 in its last ten games, including a 5-4 overtime loss to the Ottawa Senators last Saturday.

Sidney Crosby is tied with Jake Guentzel for the team lead in points with 35 and is at the front of the pack with 19 goals. Erik Karlsson leads all Penguins defensemen with 19 points.

However, despite his individual production, the addition of Karlsson hasn’t panned the way many expected for Pittsburgh.

The Penguins are producing at just 13.7% while at extra strength, 27th in all of the league. Their penalty kill ranks 10th.

Tristan Jarry is expected to start in goal tonight, his first since Dec. 16. In 22 starts this year, Jarry has a record of 9-11-2 with a .913 save percentage and a 2.61 GAA.

For More Penguins Coverage, Follow Dan Kingerski At Pittsburgh Hockey Now.

How To Watch:

Puck drop between the Islanders and Penguins from UBS Arena is scheduled for just past 7:30 p.m. EST. The game is available to watch on MSGN and streamed on MSG Plus or ESPN Plus for out-of-market viewers. 88.7 FM WRHU will produce the radio feed of the game, which can also be heard on 103.9 FM WRCN.