Game Preview: 04.14.22 vs. NYI

GM 76 | APRIL 14 | 7:00 PM ET | PPG PAINTS ARENA
WATCH: ATTSN, ESPN+ (Outside PIT, Long Island) | LISTEN: 105.9 The X, Penguins Radio Network
PIT: 41 - 22 - 11 (93 pts)
NYI: 34 - 24 - 9 (77 pts)

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GAME PREVIEW

The Pittsburgh Penguins look to clinch a playoff berth for the 16th-consecutive year as they take on the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena. Tonight's game is presented by Citrone 33, and doors to the arena will open at 6:00 PM. Pittsburgh has picked up points in 14 of its last 16 games against New York (10-2-4), and is 13-4-4 over its last 21 games versus the Islanders. Here at home, Pittsburgh has wins in four-straight (4-0-0), and points in six-straight games against New York (5-0-1) dating back to Dec. 6, 2018.

PUSH FOR THE PLAYOFFS

Under the guidance of head coach Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh is playing some of the best and most consistent hockey in the league and looks poised to clinch a playoff berth for a 16th consecutive year. The Penguins current stretch of 15-straight playoff appearances is the longest active postseason streak among teams in the major North American professional sports leagues, and is the eighth-longest run of any NHL club since the 1967 NHL Expansion, and is one shy of tying the Calgary Flames (1976-91) for the seventh-longest such run. Pittsburgh's magic number to clinch a playoff berth is THREE, and the Penguins can clinch a playoff berth by beating the Islanders tonight in any fashion (regulation/overtime/shootout). The team's magic number goes down if the Penguins accumulate points of any kind or if the Islanders fail to accumulate their maximum point total each game they play the rest of the season.

HOCKEY TALKS

Introduced in 2020 by the Penguins and Citrone 33, Break the Ice is a local movement in support of Hockey Talks. Fans can share their efforts by joining the conversation on social media using the hashtags #BreakTheIce and #HockeyTalks. Penguins players will wear Hockey Talks decals on their helmets and use branded warm-up pucks at the game on April 14 in support of mental health advocacy. The Penguins will also autograph specialty locker room nameplates, which will be included in the Penguins Foundation's auction at hockeytalks.givesmart.com through April 21 at 12:00 PM. Hockey Talks t-shirts will also be sold. Fundraising proceeds will support the Penguins Foundation's mental health initiatives. Fill out our digital card on how you #BreakTheIce,
here
.
All fans attending the game will receive a Penguins Bandana courtesy of Citrone 33, which encourages fans to take action by completing the Be There Certificate online, a program recently launched by Born This Way Foundation and Jack.org to teach participants how to maintain one's own mental health, recognize when someone is struggling and safely support them. Throughout PPG Paints Arena, local organizations will be on-site to share mental health resources with game attendees. Fans will also have the opportunity to learn more about the Be There Certificate and the upcoming Mental Health Action Day on May 19.
As we highlight mental health initiatives in our community, the Penguins are proud to support UPMC Children's Hospital's Whole Child Wellness Clinic. Since 2018, the Penguins have contributed $450,000 to this program that is setting a new standard in serving kids with behavioral health needs. Click here to learn more and support this revolutionary local initiative:
 https://www.givetochildrens.org/whats-happening/philanthropy-fuels-a-new-standard-of-care

QUICK HITS

Brian Boyle has points (4G-4A) in eight of his last nine home games.
Jeff Carter has 49 points (23G-26A) in 53 career games versus the Islanders, which is his highest point total against any one team (Florida - 37 PTS). His 23 goals are are also his most versus any one team.
Kris Letang leads all active defensemen in goals (12), assists (28) and points (40) against the Islanders.
Danton Heinen has points (3G-3A) in six of nine career games versus the Islanders.
Since Mar. 1, Pittsburgh's 4.44 goals-per-game average at home is third-highest in the NHL behind Florida (5.00) and Edmonton (4.55).

PLAYER INTERVIEW

GAME TRIGGER PROMOTIONS