The Islanders won 6-3 in Pittsburgh on Oct. 30 and 3-2 in a shootout against the Penguins at Barclays Center on Nov. 1. New York is in third place in the Metropolitan Division, two points ahead of Pittsburgh. Each team has played 26 games. The Islanders and Penguins will play for the fourth and final time this season at Nassau Coliseum on Monday. Goalie Thomas Greiss will start for New York, 1-2-1 in its past four games. The Islanders have scored one goal in three of those four. Goalie Casey DeSmith will try for his fifth win in six starts; he's 4-1-0 with a 2.41 goals-against average in his past five starts for Pittsburgh, 1-2-0 in its past three games and 5-9-3 in its past 17.
Players to watch
Islanders forward Anders Lee has scored a goal in three straight games and has six points (four goals, two assists) in his past six games. Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist scored three goals in 2:47 during a 6-3 win against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, the fastest hat trick in Pittsburgh history.
They said it
"The Penguins are probably playing a lot better than they were earlier when we saw them. They seem to be back on track. We have to be ready to play tonight." -- Islanders coach Barry Trotz "[The Islanders] are really structured now. They play really good defensive game, and they wait for mistakes to counterattack." -- Penguins defenseman Kris Letang
Lehner skated Thursday but will not be available to back up Greiss. ... Simon will not play after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Avalanche on Tuesday. Rust is expected to take his spot at first-line right wing with Crosby and Guentzel.
Stat pack
Bailey needs one point to reach 400 in the NHL. ... Clutterbuck needs one assist to reach 100 in the NHL. ... Crosby has 110 points (35 goals, 75 assists) in 64 games against the Islanders, his most against any NHL team.
