The New York Islanders are best-known for their stingy team defense, and rightly so.
After all, they allowed an average of just 2.23 goals per game during the regular season, the second-best figure in the NHL.
The Islanders, though, also have some forwards who could cause problems for the Penguins during the first-round playoff series that will begin early this afternoon at PPG Paints Arena.
Brock Nelson, Jordan Eberle, Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey, among others, are capable of showing up on the scoresheet more than a few times.
New York's most dangerous weapon, though, likely is center Mathew Barzal, who had 17 goals and 28 assists for a team-leading 45 points during the regular season.
His offensive game is an exceptional blend of speed, skill and creativity, and neutralizing him as much as possible figures to be a priority in the series.
"He's a dynamic player, offensively," Mike Sullivan said Sunday. "We're going to have to be aware when he's on the ice. The key (to defending him) is that we have to take his speed away, when we have an opportunity. We have to try to take his time and space away, when we have an opportunity."
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• Blue-collar winger Brandon Tanev was removed from injured-reserve and is expected to rejoin the Penguins' lineup after missing the final 18 games of the regular season because of an unspecified injury. "(Tanev) is an important player for us," Sullivan said. "He just brings so much energy. He brings a physical dimension. He brings another speed element to our game, whether it's on the forecheck or penalty-kill or things of that nature. He's just a real effective player for us. ... When he's in our lineup, I know we're a better hockey team."
• Injured goalie Casey DeSmith did not skate and remains "day-to-day," Sullivan said. He reiterated that all other players -- most notably, Evgeni Malkin -- will be "game-time decisions."
• Sullivan, on going against Islanders coach Barry Trotz: "I have a lot of respect for Barry and what a great coach he is and what he has accomplished in this league. He's done a great job with his respective teams, wherever he's at. You know what you're going to get. They're always a team with a lot of structure and they're difficult to play against." Before going to Long Island, Trotz coached in Nashville and Washington.
• Goalie Alex D'Orio was recalled from the Penguins' farm team in Wilkes-Barre.
