12:09: Same line-up as last win, as expected. So, John Tavares is one assist away from 200. Matt Martin still leads the league in hits -- again -- as every year. He's a wrecking ball.
7 am: It’s been a long time, but the NY Islanders are finally back at home base to face the Pittsburgh Penguins for the fourth time this season. The Isles are 2-1-0 against their rivals and are looking to make it 3-1-0 on a very special night at the old barn.
It’s Bryan Trottier mini-locker night, and there is no doubt that Trotts is one of the nicest, most giving men you will ever meet. He loves this game and has been a big part of it for decades, if not on the ice then in the locker room. So tonight the Isles celebrate him for all his achievements and the contributions he made to the Isles and to hockey. I look forward to hearing the banter with Butch tonight.
But let’s talk numbers. That one point lead the Isles have over the Penguins is too close of a margin. They need a little wiggle room to feel really comfortable at first place. While the Isles are confident right now, so are the Pens that beat the Wild 7-2 on Tuesday.
Malkin has 49 total points and Crosby has a total of 47. That’s ten more than the Isles leading scorers; John Tavares at 39 and Kyle Okposo at 37. In the plus/minus column Mr. “I don’t want to be an Islander… Ehrhoff is a +17 and Perron is a -17. For the Isles, Ryan Strome is a +14 and Kyle is a -4. I take it that is why this stat is bogus. But hey, I’m a numbers kinda gal.
It is no surprise that Downie leads the Pens in penalty minutes at 141 and yet he is still a +8 with 20 points. Travis Hamonic leads the Isles in penalty minutes at only 58, which is high in itself, but I think Hammer still has a target on his back when it comes to the refs. Did I say that out loud? I did.
There will be no ‘Grabo’ or ‘Lubo’ in the line-up tonight, but maybe they will be on the ice on Monday against the Flyers. Maybe. Halak will face his recently named All-Star partner MA Fleury tonight, but they can save the chumminess for the All-Star game. Tonight, they are battling against each other for top dog. We’ve seen MAF get chased from the net before. The Isles just did it to “the king.… I suggest they try the same game plan. Fast skating. Fast goals. More than two. And don’t back down.