Powerful Penguins put streak on the line against Isles

Hockey Betting Lines

02/19/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Pittsburgh Penguins look to continue their best run since the franchise's glory days when the NHL's hottest team visits the New York Islanders this afternoon in a President's Day matinee from Nassau Coliseum.

Pittsburgh has ripped off six consecutive victories and recorded a point in 16 straight games, having gone 14-0-2 over that blazing stretch. The point streak is the club's longest since it posted 17 wins and a tie over an 18-game span during the 1992-93 campaign. The Penguins ended that season with a franchise- best 119 points.

The Penguins, who haven't lost in regulation since a 5-2 setback at Florida on January 10, maintained their winning ways with a 3-2 decision Sunday against Washington.

Evgeni Malkin snapped a 1-1 tie late in the second period with his 29th goal of the season and Maxime Talbot netted the eventual game-winner 1:10 into the third. Mark Recchi added a power-play tally and Sergei Gonchar finished with two assists to aid in the triumph.

Jocelyn Thibault stopped 29-of-31 shots for Pittsburgh, which will start up a three-game road trip this afternoon. The Penguins have won five of their last six away from home and are 14-9-5 as the visitor for the season.

The Islanders enter this key matchup in 10th place in the Eastern Conference and two points behind Montreal and Toronto, who are currently tied for the East's eighth and final playoff spot.

New York made a trade on Sunday in hopes of bettering its postseason chances, acquiring offensive-minded defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron from Edmonton in exchange for blueliner Denis Grebeshkov.

Bergeron, a four-year NHL veteran, had career-highs of 15 goals and 20 assists for the Oilers in 2005-06 and has compiled eight goals and 17 helpers in 55 games this season.

The Isles had a two-game win streak halted by New Jersey, which leads Pittsburgh by five points atop the Atlantic Division, on Saturday. Martin Brodeur made 26 saves to earn his league-leading 11th shutout of the season as the Devils came away with a 2-0 win.

The loss spoiled another strong effort in goal from Rick DiPietro, who turned aside 28-of-30 shots. The former No. 1 overall draft choice has posted a 1.59 goals against average in eight February starts.

Pittsburgh has won four of the six meetings between the divisional rivals in 2006-07 and is 7-2-1 in its last 10 encounters with New York. The Islanders have claimed two of the last three games played between the teams at Nassau Coliseum, however.

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