The Penguins went into the holiday break on a 9-3-1 run and returned feeling refreshed after a few days away and ready to keep their momentum rolling. Instead, it came to a halt on Saturday against the Islanders,
The Islanders’ dogged work for the opening 10 minutes of the second period helped make good on Roy’s promise on Saturday night. They scored three goals during that stretch — those goals the result of won battles, races, and every inch of contested ice — to fuel a 6-3 win over the Penguins at USB Arena in Elmont, N.Y.
In a battle between two Metropolitan Division foes, the New York Islanders (14-15-7) defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins (16-16-5) by a 6-3 final in the first of back-to-back games between the clubs.
After a four-day layoff, the Penguins struggled to find a good rhythm. Good moments were followed by bad, and pucks were just out of reach for prime scoring chances.
Patrick Roy made it clear that the fans deserve to see their team at their best on Saturday night against the Penguins following their embarrassing showing against Buffalo.
Bad habits tend to crop up when least expected, and the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent run of exemplary play and back-slapping defensive performances caved in like New Jersey sections of I-80 Saturday in a 6-3 loss to the New York Islanders.
The Great Eight is within striking distance of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record of 894, which Gretzky reached on March 29, 1999 against the New York Islanders. Ovechkin began this season with 853 career goals. He's now at 868.
Duclair gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead at 5:39 of the middle frame off the rush. Kyle Palmieri collected a puck just inside the Penguins’ zone before he found Duclair cutting toward the low slot on an odd-man rush for a finish past Jarry’s blocker.
Casey Cizikas and Anders Lee each scored twice and the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Saturday night.
Pregame analysis and predictions of the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Islanders NHL game to be played on December 28, 2024 on ESPN.