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Game 6 Preview: Islanders Vs. Penguins

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will be looking for their first home win of the season tonight when they play host to the New York Islanders.

Things didn't go well in the home-opener against Toronto on Wednesday as a dismal second and third period contributed to a 5-2 loss.

However, the Penguins return to Consol Energy Center on a high note, having earned a 2-1 shootout victory over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday.

The Islanders come into tonight's game having lost their last two games. On Friday, they fell 4-2 to the Bruins before losing 5-4 in overtime to the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday.

Winnipeg rallied from a 4-2 deficit late in the third period to force overtime before Evander Kane won the game 1:59 into the extra frame.

John Tavares is currently leading the team with seven points (one goal, six assists), while Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner and Keith Aucoin are all leading the team in goals with three each.

Goaltending has been an issue for the Islanders early on this season as both Evgeni Nabokov (2-1-1, 3.49 GAA, .894 save percentage) and Rick DiPietro (0-1, 4.14 GAA, .852 save percentage) have struggled.

Against the Penguins, Nabokov is 9-2 with a 1.76 GAA and a .938 save percentage. He also has two shutouts against Pittsburgh.

As for DiPietro, he is 10-9-3 with a 3.21 GAA and .894 save percentage against the Penguins.

According to the Penguins' official website, Pittsburgh is 19-3 in the last 22 home meetings against the Islanders.

Evgeni Malkin continues to lead the way for the Penguins with six points (one goal, five assists), but Sidney Crosby is hot on his heels with five points (three goals, two assists).

James Neal currently leads the team with four goals.

Malkin has 19 goals and 29 assists in just 36 games against the Islanders in his career. Meanwhile, Crosby has an incredible 20 goals and 46 assists in 36 games against New York.

In goal, Marc-Andre Fleury erased that loss to Toronto by allowing just one goal on 28 shots against the Senators.

Fleury is 17-6-1-3 with a 2.47 GAA and .917 save percentage against the Islanders and has shut them out four times.

The puck is set to drop at 7:30 p.m. and can be seen on Root Sports or NBC Sports Network.

You can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/sheavedice

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