Penguins at Islanders
Evgeni Malkin has played a significant role in helping the Pittsburgh Penguins create distance between themselves and the rest of the Metropolitan Division. Riding an eight-game point streak, the former Hart Trophy winner looks to guide the Penguins to their fourth straight victory when they visit the New York Islanders on Tuesday. Malkin was named the NHL's First Star for the second consecutive week after collecting nine points (three goals, six assists) over a seven-day stretch.
Malkin scored a goal and set up a season-high three others in a 5-1 victory over Florida on Saturday. The Penguins own a seven-point advantage over the next closest team in the division - and a 17-point lead over the cellar-dwelling Islanders, who gave them a stern battle in the first round of last season's Eastern Conference playoffs. New York suffered its season-high sixth consecutive loss (0-5-1) with a 3-2 overtime setback to Washington on Saturday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), MSG Plus (New York)
ABOUT THE PENGUINS (18-9-1): Malkin's torrid stretch has him sitting one point behind captain Sidney Crosby for first place in the NHL's scoring race. Crosby has torched the Islanders during his career, recording 78 points (22 goals, 56 assists) in 43 games. The superstar tallied in a 4-3 loss to New York on Oct. 25 before collecting a goal and an assist in Pittsburgh's 4-3 win on Nov. 22.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (8-15-4): Thomas Vanek scored with 1:51 remaining in the third period to put New York in position to end its losing streak before Washington answered with a short-handed goal to force overtime. "We sat back for no reason," Vanek said. "We should have taken it to them for 60 minutes - and not 59." The Austrian has tormented the Penguins, scoring in each of the last five meetings - including twice on Nov. 22.
OVERTIME
1. New York would be best served to ignite its dormant power play, which has converted just once in 18 opportunities over the last six contests.
2. Pittsburgh LW Chris Kunitz has taken over the team lead with 14 goals on the strength of three in the last three contests. Kunitz tallied twice against the Islanders on Nov. 22.
3. The Islanders wrap up a four-game homestand versus the Penguins before opening a five-game road trip in St. Louis on Thursday.