Pittsburgh Penguins Vs New York Islanders GameDay, TV/Radio, And Preview

The Pittsburgh Penguins renew their rivalry with the New York Islanders tonight at Consol Energy Center in the middle game of a three-game homestand. The Black and Gold are coming off their first loss of the season as the Dallas Stars escaped the Steel City with a 3-2 victory on Thursday night.

The Islanders are in first place in the division with a 4-0-0 record and this group could be the first squad in team history to open a season with five consecutive wins if they can beat the Pens tonight. Jack Capuano’s crew is coming off a 4-3 shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

Finding someone to score is not a problem with these Isles as they lead the National Hockey League in the early going with 19 goals. Center and captain John Tavares leads the league with nine points on two goals and seven assists. Center Brock Nelson is the team leader in goals with four while right wing Kyle Okposo has contributed two goals, five assists for seven points in four contests.

This evening is the first of five meetings between the Metropolitan Division adversaries. Pittsburgh’s record against the Isles at Consol Energy Center is 8-3.

When: Saturday, Oct. 18

Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. ET

Site: CONSOL Energy Center

Penguins Television: ROOT Sports Pittsburgh

Announcers: Paul Steigerwald and Bob Errey

Radio Coverage: 105.9 FM – The X and the Penguins Radio Network

Announcers: Mike Lange and Phil Bourque

Live Video Steam: NHL GameCenter LIVE (http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=67162)

Audio Stream: Penguins Radio 24/7 (http://penguins.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=67173)

Sirius XM Satellite Radio: Sirius Channel 942, XM Channel 210

Odds: Penguins -1.5 According to Bovada Online Sportsbook. The Over/Under is at 5.5.

Last season, the Black and Gold captured three of four games against the Isles. The Fishermen from New York reeled in their only victory 4-3 on Friday, Oct. 25 in the ‘Burgh. The Penguins took the next three, 4-3 on Friday, Nov. 22; 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday, Dec. 3; and 6-4 on Thursday, Jan. 23. The two combined for 29 goals in the four contests.

Coming into tonight, both teams have done well when they have the man-advantage as both have scored six power play goals this season. The Penguins are averaging 74.52 shots per 60 minutes on the power play while the Islanders are averaging 67.32 shots per 60. Those marks are good for first and third in the league.

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Coach Mike Johnston told Sam Kasan on the Pens web site that Pascal Dupuis will be a game-time decision tonight if he plays. Dupuis took part in the team’s full morning skate practice after leaving the Dallas game on a stretcher.

The final game of the the three-game homestand is set for Wednesday, Oct. 22 as the Pens host the Philadelphia Flyers (0-2-2) at Consol Energy Center. The puck is set to drop at 8 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on the NBC Sports Network.

From The Clipboard: The top line of Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby, and Patric Hornqvist have contributed 16 of Pittsburgh’s 36 points this season…In fact with two goals and three assists, Kunitz has points in three straight games for the first time in his career…Marc-Andre Fleury has four career shutouts against the Isles.