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    Jacob Punturi
    Jacob Punturi
    Mar 9, 2023, 12:00

    The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the New York Islanders as they jockey for playoff positioning.

    The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the New York Islanders as they jockey for playoff positioning.

    After one of their most impressive comebacks of the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins return to action against the New York Islanders. The two teams are battling it out for the final two playoff positions in the Eastern Conference. The Penguins are 0-3 against the Islanders this season, and are looking to steal a victory against their divisional rival. Here's what to watch for in the fourth and final regular season matchup between the Penguins and Islanders.

    1. Penguins Need to Hold A Lead

    In the last two matchups between these teams, the Penguins have held the lead going into the third period. Both times, they surrendered multiple goals in the third period and lost. 

    The Penguins need to find a way to hold the lead, especially when it's against a division opponent. The Penguins are under .500 currently against the rest of the Metro, with a 6-7-4 record. If they want to pick up two critical points and get back to an even record within their division, they'll need to step it up if and when they have the lead.

    2. Guentzel Breaks Out of Scoring Drought

    Jake Guentzel was in the midst of an offensive rut when he buried a goal past the Columbus Blue Jackets' goaltender in the Penguins' last game. Guentzel has 25 goals and 55 points on the season in 59 games, but that goal broke a six-game goalless drought. Hopefully his goal against the Blue Jackets unlocks a new wave of goals from one of the Penguins' premier goal scorers. 

    3. What Jarry Will Show Up? 

    The Penguins put up a pitiful effort in the first two periods against the Blue Jackets, and goaltender Tristan Jarry looked just as awful. Jarry surrendered four goals on only 12 shots and was pulled for Casey DeSmith. This comes after a stretch of three straight wins for the starting Penguins' goaltender. 

    The Penguins are relying on Jarry to be the backbone of this team for a long playoff run. Between his injuries and inconsistencies, the Penguins are still in need of more from him. The Pens will look for Jarry to have a bounce back game against the Islanders. 

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