There is plenty of blame to go around for the Islanders’ struggles this season, but the star players’ struggles is a big reason for their poor play.

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has seen enough of the New York Islanders to know what they’re about. And he knows, even if they’ve largely struggled this season, the Islanders still present a stiff challenge to the Penguins.

Mathew Barzal had a hard time flushing Monday's 7-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. EAST MEADOW, NY -- The three-day holiday break was a chance for players and coaches to mentally reset, spend time with their loved ones, and give their bodies a chance to recover from the rigorous nightly battles on the ice.

The Pittsburgh Penguins (17-16-5) exacted revenge and downed the New York Islanders (14-16-7) 3-2 Sunday evening in PPG Paints Arena. Once again, the Islanders’ special teams absolutely let them down.

The New York Islanders (13-15-7) return from their holiday hiatus against the surging Pittsburgh Penguins (16-15-5). For the Islanders, it kicks off a pair of back-to-back sets they have, starting with these Penguins.

Casey Cizikas and Anders Lee each scored twice and the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Saturday night. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair also scored, and Mathew Barzal and Alexander Romanov each had two assists for New York, which had lost three of four. Ilya Sorokin finished with 22 saves.

A showdown in the Metropolitan Division showcases the Pittsburgh Penguins against the New York Islanders. Welcome back to NHL Predictions here on Last Word on Hockey!

The New York Islanders (14-15-7) dug deep and beat the Pittsburgh Penguins (16-16-5) 6-3 on Saturday Night in UBS Arena. Casey Cizikas and Anders Lee scored two goals each, leading New York past the recently hot Penguins.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair also scored, and Mathew Barzal and Alexander Romanov ... coming in a league-worst 64.4% at home. Penguins: Pittsburgh squandered a chance to pass Ottawa ...

NEW YORK — Casey Cizikas and Anders Lee each scored twice and the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins ... Duclair also scored, and Mathew Barzal and Alexander Romanov each had ...

Casey Cizikas and Anders Lee each scored twice and the New York Islanders beat the Pittsburgh ... Penguins 6-3 on Saturday night. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair also scored, and Mathew ...