Substitute David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron of the East Division-leading Bruins for the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum was just another game for the Islanders’ defense against elite forwards in the eight-team division. The Islanders entered the game on a five-game point streak (2-0-3) after Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the visiting Penguins.
True, all 31 NHL teams have dangerous, top-skill forwards. But this unique, shortened, 56-game season playing solely divisional opponents has emphasized just how tough the East is on the defense.
If it’s not the Bruins or Penguins’ elite talent, it’s the Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad and Artemi Panarin, or the Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin, or even the Sabres’ Taylor Hall and Jack Eichel or Devils’ Jack Hughes.