New York Islanders Hope to Frustrate Pittsburgh Penguins Again

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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 20: Ross Johnston #52 of the New York Islanders stands his ground in the crease during the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Barclays Center on March 20, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The New York Islanders welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins to Brooklyn, after frustrating the Penguins on Tuesday the Isles will hope to do so again for the fourth win in a row.

The Pittsburgh Penguins were based on the shot column the better team on Tuesday. With 38 shots for to the New York Islanders 25 shots for, there’s no question. Except that all those shots didn’t translate into a victory.

The Islanders ran away with a 6-3 victory on the last leg of a three-game Metropolitan Division road trip. The Isles showed that controlling the puck isn’t enough. It’s what you do with it that matters.

As a matter of fact, the Islanders have been showing a number of teams that this is a viable strategy. Only twice have they outshot opponents this season. In their three-game road trip, the Islanders have been outshot 100-67 but have managed to outscore their opponents 14-5.

The strategy baffled the Penguins just a few nights ago and baffles everyone who calls themselves a hockey fan. No one thought that the New York Islanders could be above 0.500 this season and yet here they are with a 7-4-1 record and 13 points.

A win in regulation tonight would push the New York Islanders to 15 points and the top of the Metropolitan Division. Leapfrogging the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The style of play that Barry Trotz has the Islanders playing suits the team perfectly. It’s not about speed or even about skill. It’s about having the discipline to stick to a plan and see it through.