New York Islanders @ Pittsburgh Penguins [Game #17 Thread]

As has been frequently noted, Sidney Crosby will play in his one-thousandth game tonight against the team he has dominated most frequently, the New York Islanders. One of the game’s all-time greats, tonight should be a night of celebration for the NHL.

That may sound like a harbinger of things to come, but I’ll believe it when I see it. The Islanders did not play too poorly on Thursday night; a few breaks here or there may have changed the whole complexion of the game. They entered with points in eight straight. That streak had to end at some point. Perhaps a new one begins this evening.

We learned earlier today that Michael Dal Colle would not be available. He took a shot on Tuesday night against the Sabres and, evidently, the pain has lingered.

Kieffer Bellows lined up in Dal Colle’s stead in Thursday’s game. But based on some well-documented comments from Trotz in Thursday’s post-game, as well as some roster shuffling today, it appears that Leo Komarov will draw back into the lineup.

As the skaters hit the ice, Andrew Gross confirmed Arthur Staple suspicion about the goaltending tonight; second straight game with Cory Schneider dressing as Semyon Varlamov’s back-up.

On the other end of the ice, we know that Tristan Jarry will start in goal. I imagine the rest of their lineup will remain the same as last game, as well.

Let’s spoil a milestone, eh?