Pens Points: Islanders Game Day

Good morning one and all,

It’s a Metropolitan Division match-up tonight as the Pens take on the Isles. Here's your scouting report on the Islanders. [Penguins.com]

The Pens are yearning for some payback after a rough two-game set back in November. Hear hear. [Trib]

Scott Harrington was recalled for the umpteenth time this season. He must be gunning for Zach Boychuk's record. [Penguins.com]

To put us into the right mindset, let's remember the top 10 Pens moments at Nassau Coliseum. [Trib]

Beau Bennett's Ironman streak now stands at a whopping six games, and we are able to see what a healthy Beau can do for this team. I'm not knocking on my wooden desk, I'm pounding it right now. [PPG]

What are the things Stanley Cup-winning teams do well, and which teams are exhibiting such traits this season? Very nice to find our grit-and-character boys up top. [CBS Sports]

David Pastrnak is staying with the Bruins and all those who love great young players rejoice, including yours truly. What a breath of fresh air. Almost makes the Bruins likeable. [Boston Globe]

Let's all rejoice about 6 more years of having to look at the least likeable Staal brother. The Rangers dish out some serious dough and term to their best head-and-neck crosschecker. [NY Post]

As Barry Trotz returns to face his old team, his Nashville legacy is told through guitars, lunch and cribbage. "He wasn't a celebrity. He was a dude." [Washington Post]

The Wild win! The Wild win! A touchdown and a shutout no less. The reeling Minnesota Wild have themselves a new goalie and some smiles after handing the Sabres their worst home loss ever. [Star Tribune]

When I left my office building late yesterday, I was surprised to see all these Canucks fans around Philly. They got a nice one from their team as they continued their success against the Metro with a 4-0 shutout of the Flyers, whose defense is really, really bad. [The Province]

Speaking of the Flyers defense, they feature nicely in this case study of 3-on-2 plays. If you want to see some hockey Xs and Os explained really nicely, this is the one to read today. [The Committed Indian]

Here are a few feature articles that I really enjoyed reading. Two Stanley Cups and 550 points into his career, Anze Kopitar is the pride of Slovenia, and the NHL’s most underrated superstar. [Sportsnet]

Given that ~15% of regular season games end in a shootout, it is surprising it is perhaps surprising it isn't studied in more detail. This article offers a deep dive into advanced shootout statistics. [Business of Hockey]

What constitutes an elite center? Perhaps no one is in a better position to explain than an elite center himself. Logan Couture with a nice look at what makes the great ones really special. [The Players' Tribune]