3 Keys: Islanders at Penguins, Game 5 of first round

No. 4 Islanders at No. 1 Penguins
7 p.m. ET; NBCSN, SN1, TVAS2, ATTSN-PT, MSG, MSG+
Best-of-7 series tied, 2-2

Sidney Crosby will look to avoid a fourth straight game without a point when the Pittsburgh Penguins host the New York Islanders in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup First Round on Monday.
Crosby has not scored a point since Game 1, when his goal gave Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead at 3:47 of the second period of a 4-3 overtime loss. It's the second time the Penguins center has been held without a point in three consecutive games this season (April 27-May 1).
"Everyone knows the type of player he is," Islanders forward Josh Bailey said. "It's important for all of us to be on the same page and working together and doing what we need to do to limit their opportunities."
Islanders rookie Ilya Sorokin likely will start in goal for Islanders for the third time in this series after he made 29 saves in a 4-1 win in Game 4 on Saturday. Semyon Varlamov started and lost the previous two games; Sorokin made 39 saves in the Game 1 win.
Teams that win Game 5 after a best-of-7 series is tied 2-2 are 213-58 (78.5 percent). The Penguins are 15-9 (.625) winning a best-of-7 series that is tied 2-2; the Islanders are 5-6 (.455).
Here are 3 keys for Game 5:

1. Pittsburgh's top line reigniting

In addition to Crosby's offensive struggles, left wing Jake Guentzel and right wing Bryan Rust also have gone silent. Crosby and Rust each has scored one goal, and Guentzel has been held to one secondary assist, on Crosby's goal in Game 1.
That line was home to Pittsburgh's top three goal scorers in the regular season. Crosby led the Penguins with 24 goals, followed by Guentzel (23) and Rust (22).
Despite leading the Penguins with 19 shots on goal this series, Guentzel has one goal in his past nine games between the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Obviously we'd like him to find the back of the net. There's no doubt about that," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "Our feeling is if he just stays with it, he'll find the back of the net. He's too good of a player."

2. Sorokin taking hold

Sorokin has played with poise in his two starts and could cement his standing as the starter moving forward with another solid outing Monday. He can become the first goalie in Islanders history to win his first three playoff games.
"He's been unbelievable for us all year," Islanders defenseman Nick Leddy said. "I think it just shows his confidence in his game. I think the guys around him as well, I think it resonates with us too."
Varlamov was expected to be a primary contributor in a possible series victory for the Islanders. Instead, Sorokin has helped lead New York to two wins through four games.
Varlamov missed Game 1 due to "a little strain," according to Islanders coach Barry Trotz, that was sustained in the regular-season finale at the Boston Bruins on May 10. Varlamov made 43 saves in a 2-1 loss in Game 2, but allowed a long goal to Rust in the first period and then gave up five goals on 27 shots in Game 3, including two in the third period.

3. Regaining home-ice advantage

It should be a raucous atmosphere again at PPG Paints Arena, where the Penguins hosted more than 9,000 fans for Game 2. A similar crowd is expected Monday and provides Pittsburgh an opportunity to channel that energy with hopes of taking a 3-2 series lead.
The Penguins are 10-3 at home in Game 5 all-time when a best-of-7 series is tied.
"The fans here are awesome and it makes a big difference playing in front of them," Pittsburgh forward Frederick Gaudreau said. "It is special to play here and we are looking forward to that."

Islanders projected lineup

Leo Komarov -- Mathew Barzal -- Jordan Eberle
Anthony Beauvillier -- Brock Nelson -- Josh Bailey
Kyle Palmieri - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Oliver Wahlstrom
Matt Martin -- Casey Cizikas -- Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech -- Ryan Pulock
Nick Leddy -- Scott Mayfield
Andy Greene -- Noah Dobson
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
Scratched: Michael Dal Colle, Ross Johnston, Travis Zajac, Austin Czarnik, Kieffer Bellows, Braydon Coburn, Sebastian Aho, Thomas Hickey, Cory Schneider
Injured: None

Penguins projected lineup

Jake Guentzel -- Sidney Crosby -- Bryan Rust
Jason Zucker -- Evgeni Malkin -- Kasperi Kapanen
Jared McCann -- Jeff Carter -- Frederick Gaudreau
Zach Aston-Reese -- Teddy Blueger -- Brandon Tanev
Brian Dumoulin -- Kris Letang
Mike Matheson -- Cody Ceci
Marcus Pettersson -- John Marino
Tristan Jarry
Maxime Lagace
Scratched: Evan Rodrigues, Chad Ruhwedel, Mark Friedman, Juuso Riikola, Colton Sceviour, Sam Lafferty, Mark Jankowski, Radim Zohorna, Yannick Weber, Anthony Angello, Kasper Bjorkqvist, Drew O'Connor, Pierre-Olivier Joseph
Injured: Casey DeSmith (lower body)

Status report

Varlamov and Schneider were the goalies who participated in the Islanders' optional morning skate.