Game Preview: Islanders at Penguins

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (5-4-1) AT PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (6-1-2)
7 P.M. | PPG PAINTS ARENA
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GAME NOTES | MORNING SKATE UPDATES
The New York Islanders are looking to sweep their three-game road trip when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday night.
The Isles are 2-0-0 on their three-game, Metropolitan Division road trip, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 6-1 on Saturday and the Carolina Hurricanes 2-1 on Sunday. Overall, the Isles are 3-0-0 against the Metro this season.
Tuesday marks the first of a home-and-home set between the Isles and Pens, as the two teams meet again on Thursday night at Barclays Center.

MORNING SKATE UPDATES

ISLANDERS NOTES:

• The Islanders are on a two-game winning streak, their first winning streak of the season. The Isles have earned points in three straight games (2-0-1).
  - Anders Lee is riding a four-game point streak (2G, 6A). Lee has six points (2G, 4A) in his past two games and has been a part of the Islanders last six goals. Lee and Josh Bailey are tied for the Isles scoring lead with 11 points apiece.
  - Josh Bailey is riding a five-game point streak and is tied with Lee for the Islanders scoring lead with 11 points.
  - The Isles are 1-2-3 in their last six trips to Pittsburgh.
  - Cal Clutterbuck (upper body) missed Sunday's win over Carolina. The Islanders had a day off on Monday, so his status for Tuesday's game is unknown. UPDATE: Clutterbuck is out for Tuesday's game. Tom Kuhnhackl is in.

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PENGUINS NOTES:

• The Penguins are returning home after a perfect 4-0-0 Canadian road trip. The Penguins put up some big numbers on their trip, scoring 23 goals over the four games, including a 9-1 thumping of the Calgary Flames and a 5-0 shutout win over Vancouver in their past two games.
  - The Penguins have won four straight games and have earned points in seven straight games (5-0-2).
  - Sidney Crosby was named the NHL's First Star of the Week on Monday after racking up five goals and seven total points last week.
  - Derick Brassard missed Saturday's game against Vancouver and Monday's practice in Pittsburgh with a lower-body injury. Brassard is considered day-to-day.
  - Evgeni Malkin leads the Penguins in assists (13) and points (18). Phil Kessel leads the Penguins with seven goals.
  - The Penguins are accepting donations at Tuesday's game to benefit victims and families of Saturday's tragic shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill. Fans in attendance can donate when they enter PPG Paints Arena. Fans not attending the game may make an online donation at
  http://treeoflife.givesmart.com/
  .

ISLANDERS PLAYER TO WATCH: ANDERS LEE

Anders Lee is scorching hot for the Islanders, recording six points (2G, 4A) on the last six Islanders goals. Lee is tied for the Islanders scoring lead with 11 points (4G, 7A) in 10 games this season - a career-best start for the Isles captain.

PENGUINS PLAYER TO WATCH: EVGENI MALKIN

Evgeni Malkin is averaging two points-per-game to start the season, with 18 points (5G, 13A) through the first nine games. Malkin leads he Penguins in assists and points and is tied for second in NHL scoring with Patrick Kane and Nathan MacKinnon. Malkin is currently on a seven-game point streak (4G, 11A) and has points in all but one game to start the season.

\Graphic courtesy of Islanders PR*