Penguins and Islanders Square Off in 2025 First Game

The Penguins were surprise shutout winners against the Rangers (3-0) on Tuesday. This game was the Penguins’ home opener. It was difficult for the Islanders to play a game against a team that had already played a game this season. Maybe the Penguins, who won this game 4-3, are better than people thought? Matthew Schafer got an assist on the Islanders’ very first goal of the season, scored by new Islander Jonathan Drouin. Do you think the new Islanders will be able to get them to the playoffs this season?

Penguins Beat Islanders 4-3 in First Game of Season

In this, the first game of the year, the Islanders lost 4-3 against the Penguins. The duo of Malkin and Crosby kills the Islanders and has always had. This game took place in Pittsburgh and was the Penguins’ home opener. There were again some good developments for the Islanders.

Here is the scoring summary of the 4-3 win. In the first period, Evgeni Malkin (who kills the Islanders) scored a power-play goal for the Penguins. A bad sign for the Islanders, who had the next-to-worst penalty kill in the league last season. The Penguins led 1-0. Then Jonathan Drouin scored for the Islanders to tie the game at 1. That goal was assisted on by Matthew Schafer in his NHL debut.

In the second period, Kyle Palmeri scored for the Islanders. They led 2-1. Then, less than two minutes later, Harrison Brunicke, a 19-year-old defenseman, scored for the Penguins to tie the game at 2. Crosby then scored a power-play goal for the Penguins. They led 3-2. The Islanders allowed another power play goal. Then Shaboov scored for the Islanders. That evened the score at 3 in a very busy second period.

In the third Period, Justin Brazeau scored (his third goal of the young season). With not much time left, the Penguins led 4-3.

The Debuts

Schafer got a point on the very first goal of the season. The first overall draft pick demonstrated throughout the game that he belongs. It was also the Islanders’ debut for Drouin, who scored that first goal. Finally, Maxim Shabanov debuted for the Islanders. He did not look out of place; he even scored a goal.

Ilya Sorokin

It is not possible to overstate how important Goaltender Ilya Sorokin is for the Islanders. For them to be anywhere near the playoffs this season, he needs to be rested and sharp. One of the most important stories for the Islanders this year, with its compressed schedule due to the Olympics, was the status of the Islanders’ backup goaltender. David Riddick got the job. Tonight, the Penguins shot enough that Sorokin made some great saves. He cannot get tired out. He made 19 saves tonight on 22 shots.

Game News and Notes

This is the last game of the season between the Islanders and the Penguins. They play twice more, but both of those games are on Long Island.

The way the Islanders can limit power-play goals this season is by not taking penalties. Their penalty kill is still not good.

The Penguins wore all yellow uniforms. Sort of like the Nashville Pedators. Apparently, they did not even wear the yellow jerseys during warmups; they wore black jerseys.

Conclusion

The Islanders won this game against the Flyers 4-3 on a third-period goal from Emile Heineman. He has played great this preseason and will make a welcome addition to the Islanders’ fourth line. The Islanders finished the preseason 2-2-2. The regular season starts for them on Thursday, October 9. They will be in Pittsburgh.