The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the New York Islanders just days after scoring seven goals against them.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are suddenly one of the hottest teams in the NHL with a 6-1-1 record over their last eight games. After earning a victory over the St. Louis Blues, the Pens are back in action one night later against a familiar foe. 

The Penguins saw the New York Islanders just a few days ago and hung seven goals on them. What will the Islanders bring as a rebuttal? Here’s what to watch for as the Penguins battle the Islanders on New Year's Eve.

1. DOC Leading Pens’ Youth 

The Penguins are desperate for youthful contributions to their team, and they’ve been getting a taste of that over the last few weeks. Players like Valtteri Puustinen and John Ludvig have been solid additions to the lineup, but the true standout is forward Drew O’Connor. 

The 25-year-old is elevating his game this season, and it’s largely due to the expanded opportunity he’s been given. While he only has four goals and 10 points in 34 games, he’s already one point shy of his season total last year. What is most encouraging is how comfortable he looks playing in a top six role. His speed and determination have been wonderful assets when playing on the second line, and he should get another shot there against the Islanders. 

2. Dobson’s Career Year

It’s been a difficult year for defensemen on Long Island, as the team’s been held back consistently by injuries. The lone bright spot for the Islanders has been Noah Dobson. In 35 games, he has 35 points and is leading all New York defenders in ice-time per game. 

Dobson struggled in the Pens and Isles matchup a few days ago, going -4 in just a tad over 26 minutes played. He will be looking for redemption in this second matchup, and the Pens will have a difficult time keeping him off the score sheet two straight times. 

3. Pettersson Thriving 

When veteran defender Brian Dumoulin departed via free agency this past summer, the Penguins were left without a steady, top pairing guy. In his absence, Marcus Pettersson has filled in seamlessly. Beginning the season partnered with Erik Karlsson, he managed to anchor the pair as Karlsson rattled off points to start the year. 

Now, he’s moved up to the first pairing to help elevate Kris Letang’s game. The results speak for themselves, as Letang’s all-around game has exploded lately and Pettersson is pitching in on both sides of the ice. Known for his defensive skillset, he’s also on pace for a career year on offense. He has 14 points through 34 games, and he looks like he’s solidified the top pairing for the Penguins’ defense. 

The Penguins and Islanders face-off at PPG Paints Arena at 6:00 p.m.

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