Thu Mar 27 11:00:46 2008

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Pens battle Islanders aiming to extend division lead

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(Sports Network) - Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins have secured a playoff spot they can concentrate on winning the Atlantic Division title. Pittsburgh will get a chance to extend its lead in the division tonight, when they welcome the New York Islanders to Mellon Arena.

The Penguins have 95 points and are holding a four-point edge over New Jersey for first place in the Atlantic. New Jersey, which visits the New York Rangers tonight, have a game in hand over Pittsburgh with six games left compared to five for the Pens.

Pittsburgh is also one point behind Montreal for the Eastern Conference lead and can take over that spot tonight as the Canadiens are off until Friday.

Sidney Crosby is expected to return for the Penguins tonight, after missing the last seven games with a high ankle sprain. The injury has actually forced last year's Art Ross and Hart Trophy recipient to miss 28 of the last 31 games. Crosby has notched 67 points (22 goals, 45 assists) in just 49 games this season.

Crosby has 10 goals and 25 assists in 19 career games against the Islanders.

The Penguins helped their standing in the Atlantic with two wins over New Jersey in a three-day span. Pittsburgh beat the Devils, 7-1, at home on Saturday and then notched a 2-0 victory Tuesday night in New Jersey. In between those wins, the Pens were dealt a loss by the Islanders.

Ryan Malone notched a goal and an assist to lift the Pens to Tuesday's win in Newark and Marc-Andre Fleury had a perfect night between the pipes as Pittsburgh clinched a spot in the playoffs. Marian Hossa also tallied for the Pens.

Fleury made 31 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season and 11th of his career, as Pittsburgh took a huge step toward earning its first division title since winning the Northeast in 1998.

Tonight marks the first of two straight at home for the Penguins, who are 23-10-5 at Mellon Arena this year and have won five straight in the Steel City.

The Islanders are playing their first game since posting Monday's home victory over the Penguins. Bill Guerin registered a goal and an assist to lift New York to the 4-1 decision at Nassau Coliseum.

Richard Park, Sean Bergenheim and Trent Hunter also scored for the Islanders, who have won two of their last three games. Miroslav Satan added two assists, while Wade Dubielewicz made 28 saves to earn the win.

Petr Sykora scored the lone goal for Pittsburgh and Ty Conklin allowed four goals on 36 shots.

New York is 16-19-4 as the visiting team this season and has dropped five of its last six away from Long Island.

The Penguins are 4-3 against the Islanders this season and have taken six of the last 11 meetings in the series. New York has also dropped four of five and seven of its last nine at Mellon Arena.