PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Tristan Jarry will get a third start in a row tonight as the Pens host the Islanders at 7p.
Jarry has stopped 67 of 73 shots in those two games, with a win and a loss.
"We think he's really trending in the right direction here," said head coach Mike Sullivan. "We know he's a very capable goalie. We are encouraged by the progress he's made in the last couple of games."
Island Time
It's an opponent the Pens have had issues with, including a four-game New York sweep in their last playoff matchup in 2019. Currently the Islanders are third in the MassMutual East Division at 8-3-2 on the season. Isles have points in eight straight games.
"They have a clear identity," Sullivan said. "They are a team that is hard to play against. They play a conscientious defensive game. They are going to make you work for your chances. They've got a pretty good counter-attack game."
"We've just got to make sure we bring a certain level of urgency and discipline to our game that gives us the best chance to be successful."
Mathew Barzal leads the Isles in points with 15 and Andres Lee in goals with 7.
"They are really, really well structured," said defenseman PO Joseph. "They compete hard. We just have to stick to what we can control."
"We have to play to our identity," Sullivan said. "That's the conversation we have with our players regardless of who our opponent is. It makes no sense for us to get caught up playing someone else's game. We have to play our game and dictate the terms out there."
Injury update
Sullivan said there is progress with four injured Pens--Brian Dumoulin, Jared McCann and Evan Rodrigues skated on their own this morning. Juuso Riikola skated with the Taxi Squad.
