Lighthouse Hockey, a New York Islanders community

"They can all move the puck," Gordon said. "I want our team to be so good on the forecheck we don't have to play a lot of defense."

One Penguin said the Islanders had a much different defensive look that sharply curtailed odd-man rushes compared with the 9-2 blowout Dec. 11 in Pittsburgh.

Said Gordon: "I know we're definitely a smarter team, and the comfort level with the system is better and we're definitely a better defensive team."