

Playoff preview: Penguins vs. Islanders

9:55 PM, April 29, 2013   |  
Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (18) is congratulated by center Evgeni Malkin (71) after scoring a goal during third period at the CONSOL Energy Center. / Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

No. 1 Pittsburgh Penguins (36-12-0) vs. No. 8 New York Islanders (24-17-7)

Story line: When will Sidney Crosby suit up to help the Penguins in their quest to win their second title in four years? The Islanders are excited to be in the postseason for the first time since 2007.

Season series: Pittsburgh won 4-1, outscoring the Islanders 17-9. The Islanders won 4-1 in January, and then Pittsburgh won the next four by scores of 4-2, 6-1, 4-2 and 2-0.

Goalies: Pittsburgh's Marc-Andre Fleury (23-8-0, 2.39, .916) vs. New York's Evgeni Nabokov (23-11-7, 2.50, .910). Fleury owns a Stanley Cup ring, but Nabokov is no novice when it comes to the NHL playoffs. He has played 80 playoff games, and his playoff goals-against average and save percentage are better than Fleury's numbers. Also, Fleury was a bit cold down the stretch, giving up three or more goals in six of his last games.

Leading scorers: Pittsburgh, C Sidney Crosby (15-41-56); New York, C John Tavares (28-19-47). Crosby finished tied for third in the NHL scoring race, despite missing the last 12 games with a broken jaw.

Who's hot: Penguins LW Brenden Morrow had six goals and seven assists for 13 points in his final nine games.

Injuries: Pittsburgh, Crosby is practicing and awaiting the go-ahead to play; D Brooks Orpik (lower body) expected to play; C Joe Vitale (lower body) day-to-day; New York, D Calvin de Haan (shoulder) out for the season.

Why the Penguins should be the favorite

1. Their lineup is deeper and more skilled than the 2009 championship team. Late-season additions of Morrow, Douglas Murray, Jarome Iginla and Jussi Jokinen have given the Penguins more sandpaper and sparkle.

2. Crosby is uncertain for Game 1, but when he returns, teams can't match the Crosby-Evgeni Malkin center combination.

3. This team learned from last season's first-round loss and is more disciplined.

Why the Islanders could win

To the Islanders, this must seem like the third round of the playoffs. They have been playing playoff-style hockey for a month. They were improved defensively down the stretch, although they had lapses in their final few games. John Tavares is at the point now where he is to the Islanders what Joe Sakic used to be to the Colorado Avalanche and Steve Yzerman was to the Detroit Red Wings. Nabokov is an old pro capable of stealing a series.

Prediction: No matter who has been out of the lineup, the Penguins have been able to keep the steamroller moving forward. The Islanders should be another speed bump along their route to the Final. Penguins in five.

Copyright 2014

Read the original story: Playoff preview: Penguins vs. Islanders

More In