5 Things to Watch: Penguins vs. Islanders
By Nick Ziegler
Nov 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center Frans Nielsen (51) scores past Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the shootout at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Islanders won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
– Playing for the Division Control
Before the puck drops on Friday night, the Islanders will be in first place in the Metropolitan Division, and in second place in the conference, just one point behind the Tampa Bay Lightning after they were able to defeat the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.
The Lightning are off on Friday night, which means that the game between the Islanders and Penguins can not only mean the Islanders can separate themselves from the Penguins in the division, but that they also once again regain control of the conference.
Head-to-heads against opponents like the Penguins are important games for the Islanders, as they look to win their division, and possibly challenge for home ice in the playoffs.