1 Sidney Crosby&nbsp;vs. Travis Hamonic The Penguins’ superstar will return from a broken jaw and it will be Hamonic’s (and Andrew MacDonald’s) job to contain Crosby and his linemates. Hamonic has the capability to be physical with Crosby, but he’ll have to be careful not to overdo it. The Islanders likely won’t get many calls when matched up against Sid the Kid. 2 John Tavares&nbsp;vs. Brandon Sutter The Penguins don’t have a shutdown checking line, but Sutter might fit that bill in the task to clamp down on Tavares. The chess match between Jack Capuano and Dan Bylsma will be focused around Tavares, with Capuano trying to get his top scorer out against Evgeni Malkin’s line, while Bylsma may be looking for Sutter’s line to break even and keep the Penguins’ scoring lines free. 3 Isles’ penalty killers vs. Pens’ power play Crosby, Malkin, James Neal, Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz form one of the most fearsome power-play units around. The Isles’ penalty-kill ranked 21st this season and will have to be active and energetic to keep the Pens from wheeling and dealing around them. &nbsp;

1 Sidney Crosby vs. Travis Hamonic The Penguins’ superstar will return from a broken jaw and it will be Hamonic’s (and Andrew MacDonald’s) job to contain Crosby and his linemates. Hamonic has the capability to be physical with Crosby, but he’ll have to be careful not to overdo it. The Islanders likely won’t get many calls when matched up against Sid the Kid. 2 John Tavares vs. Brandon Sutter The Penguins don’t have a shutdown checking line, but Sutter might fit that bill in the task to clamp down on Tavares. The chess match between Jack Capuano and Dan Bylsma will be focused around Tavares, with Capuano trying to get his top scorer out against Evgeni Malkin’s line, while Bylsma may be looking for Sutter’s line to break even and keep the Penguins’ scoring lines free. 3 Isles’ penalty killers vs. Pens’ power play Crosby, Malkin, James Neal, Kris Letang and Chris Kunitz form one of the most fearsome power-play units around. The Isles’ penalty-kill ranked 21st this season and will have to be active and energetic to keep the Pens from wheeling and dealing around them.

Sports

Hockey

New York Islanders

Islanders vs. Penguins matchups

Newsday

hamonic crosby cropped

More Islanders

islanders article rail

"Things like battles and contact, you can't replicate in a weight room or summer skates. It's building trust," Kyle Palmieri told Newsday.

Barzal's road back: His Isles' teammates know the mental vs. physical battle

The Islanders look so much more dangerous when the 19-year-old is on the ice, but they also need him fresh and effective later in the season for a potential playoff push.

Gross: Isles face a big challenge in managing Schaefer's ice time

Andrew talks about how the Islanders' defense will be affected by Alexander Romanov's ACL injury, plus hear from Matthew Schaefer.

Island Ice Ep. 246: Losing Romanov, Schaefer's minutes

Emil Heineman and Anthony Duclair also scored for the Islanders.

Horvat scores twice as Islanders beat Chicago

Defenseman Alexander Romanov will require surgery to repair an ACL tear after shoulder surgery ended his previous season.

Gross: Islanders depth will be tested early after losing Romanov for season

More New York Sports

Sports Article Bottom Module

Igor Shesterkin was scrambling to get across his goal crease an appeared to jam his right skate into the goalpost.

Rangers lose goalie Shesterkin to leg injury vs. Capitals

Entering Friday, Ovechkin had scored 929 goals in 1,576 games, 46 of those coming in 80 games against the Rangers

Stephenson: Rangers laud the Capitals' Alexander Ovechkin

The Knicks say they "will not be negotiating contract extensions until later in the season." That could be problematic later on for Knicks, KAT and Josh Hart.

Popper: Knicks' decision to shut down contract talks could create issues

Islanders Trending Bar

Schedule/results

Stats

Roster

Standings

NHL scores

Odds

NEWSDAY TV SHORTS

Vertical videos

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano has your look at what to know ahead of the 2026 Oyster Festival.

What to expect at this year's Oyster Fest

Billy Joel will be auctioning off more than 70 motorcycles at Gooding Christie's in Manhattan next month. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger got a sneak peek at three.

A sneak peek of Billy Joel's motorcycles going to auction next month

Marine life experts said two juvenile humpback whales became stuck due to sandbars created in last month's nor'easter. NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa has more.

2 whales stranded on LI

The firefighter says her free speech rights were violated. The case demonstrates the depths of the divisiveness of politics in America today. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.

LI fire department removes volunteer after Facebook comment about ICE

The Mineola High School marching band and wind ensemble have been invited to perform at London's New Year's Parade in 2028. NewsdayTV's Virginia Huie has more.

LI High School marching band to perform in London New Year’s Parade

NewsdayTV's Doug Geed heads to Seven Ponds Orchard in Water Mill where you can pick crisp apples, gather garden-fresh veggies, and let the kids burn off some energy at one of the island's largest playgrounds.

Out East: Seven Ponds Orchard

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano visits Das Biergarten in Long Beach.

It's Oktoberfest every day at this Long Beach restaurant

Stuart Cameron, now the chief of the Old Westbury Police Department, said "The Long Watch" began as an attempt to share his experiences during 40-plus years in law enforcement with his children and grandchildren.

Chief Stuart Cameron talks new book 'The Long Watch' and Gilgo investigation

NewsdayTV's Ken Buffa visits Bisqo in Hicksville to try the Miso Overload, a Dubai-inspired creation which combines a frappe with a slice of tiramisu.

 Trendy Bites: Have your frappe with a slice of tiramisu on top

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano tries a crafty coffee at The Caffeinated Bunny in Melville.

Coffee cart opens at Melville flower shop

App Nativo Ad Unit Slot

New York Islanders - megaslot

Complete coverage of the New York Islanders with the latest news, scores, schedule and analysis from Newsday.

More Islanders

Stay logged in.