Can the Islanders Continue Their Winning Streak at UBS Arena?

As the New York Islanders gear up to face the Pittsburgh Penguins at UBS Arena on December 28th, fans are eager to see if their team can maintain their recent positive momentum. The Islanders have shown a strong performance in their past games, particularly in their latest match against the Edmonton Oilers where they secured a 3-1 victory. This win was underpinned by an impressive powerplay, with two goals from four opportunities and a shorthanded goal that showcased both offensive prowess and defensive resilience.

The Islanders' goaltending has been solid, with a save percentage rounding to 100 percent against the Oilers. This defensive strength was also evident in their previous game against the Washington Capitals despite an overtime loss with three goals conceded on 36 shots.

Offensively, while they had an exceptional shooting percentage of 18 percent against Carolina Hurricanes, it dropped to six percent versus Capitals indicating some inconsistency in finishing chances. However, they've demonstrated an ability to generate scoring opportunities across all periods as seen by five goals scored during even strength play against Carolina.

Faceoffs have been fairly even for the Islanders with percentages hovering around fifty percent across recent games. Special teams will be crucial; although powerplay conversions were strong against Edmonton (50 percent), there's room for improvement based on previous performances.

The Penguins will undoubtedly be formidable opponents but playing at home should give the Islanders an edge. The team's ability to capitalize on powerplays and maintain strong goaltending will be key factors that could determine whether they can extend their winning streak before their own crowd.

Fans can catch this exciting matchup live on MSGSN or SportsNet PT or stream it via ESPN+ when these two teams clash at UBS Arena located in Belmont Park, NY on December 28th at 7:30 PM Eastern Time.