NFT: Islanders - Penguins 7pm Game Thread

Well, last night was fun, then tense, then fun again after the skills competition. I'm gonna suggest we just put a bullet in 'em early to keep the drama level low.

Same lineup for the Islanders with Halak in net. Pens looking to be doing the same, with Greiss in net instead of the wilted flower.

Tonight is Billy Smith mini-locker night, and old 31 will be on hand. Cappy had Battlin' Billy address the team at the morning skate and showed the team a highlight video so they could appreciate Smith’s play. Capuano said Smith’s address to his players really “enlightened” the team. Let's see if it has any effect.

A couple of Staple tweets relating to Grabner:

Quote:

Grabner did not skate today. Capuano says they'll know more on Monday. Not looking like he'll be ready before Thanksgiving. Don't believe Grabner not skating today meant a setback. Just a guy who missed all of training camp. No need to rush him back.

Some stats to tide you over:
- Ryan Strome is 1st in NHL in points-per-60 at 5v5 (minimum 100 minutes) after his 3-pt night vs. PIT. Next closest is Voracek at 3.78. Noteworthy on the D, Nick Leddy at 1.97 is second in the NHL for d-men.
- Leddy scored his 5th goal, just two shy of his career high. The Isles’ defense already has 11 goals this season after tallying only 23 last season.
- Big change from last season: Isles are 7-0-0 when leading after 2 periods.
- The Isles have now outscored the opposition 8-2 in second periods over the last five games. The Isles have allowed only 2 second period goals in the last seven games.
- The Isles are 7-5-0 when they score first and are 6-1-0 when they allow the opening goal.
- Last night's win was the fourth of 11 consecutive games against the Eastern Conference. The Isles are 3-1-0 in this stretch, which includes upcoming home/home series with Washington and Ottawa.
- Other than the St. Louis Blues, the Islanders are the only NHL team with two goalies possessing 5 or more wins.
- Last night was the first time since the playoff-clinching win on April 23, 2013 (at Carolina) that the Isles did not allow an opposition power play. It’s the first time in at least 25 years that Pittsburgh has not had a power play vs. the Isles.
- The Isles have killed 22 of 24 penalties over the last seven games after they allowed 6 power play goals in 14 times short over the previous five games.
- Phil Bourque on Penguins radio, describing the Kulemin goal: “Holy, Moly. Those were two good defensemen that (Kulemin) just abused.”

It's the power and the glory
It's a war in paradise
It's a cinderella story
On a tumble of the dice