Penguins getting set for a HUGE B2B against an old enemy!

[@PENS68]

Good crossover episode. This is the 3rd year in a row that the Penguins and Islanders are playing right after the holiday break. I feel the first five minutes are important because your coming off a few days off of not playing so I think there will be some sloppiness as neither team has played since Monday. The Penguins just gotta keep doing what they have been doing since they've been on this streak. Gil also mentioned about Lou Lamoriello not liking to rebuild or retool and that is the exact same thing he did during the end of his tenure with the Devils. The Devils clearly had to rebuild after they went to the cup in 2012, but he refused to do it and it wasn't until after they parted ways, that the rebuild in New Jersey started.

[@terrancedavidreid5020]

Thanks, Gil Martin! Good questions and analysis!

[@wilk2day]

Just FYI I got out to see a game with two Pens draft picks today, Cooper Foster (6th round '23) and Finn Harding (7th round ''24). Foster didn't show a whole lot, but clearly a smart player, plays on the PP and PK. Harding looked extremely confident and capable going both ways and on the PP. Was a presence every time he was on the ice. Seeing a little of John Marino in him. Fun to see some of the prospects in a suddenly much deeper talent pool for the Pens.

[@wilk2day]

A question - late for the mailbag! Does anyone know the status of Cruz Lucius? All I can find is that he is injured, has not played yet at ASU and "is not expected to play until the new year". He is the fifth player in the Guentzel deal (Ponomarev, Koivunen, Brunicke and Bunting).

[@MatteNcs]

I'm getting tired of seeing Mike Sullivan chewing gum on the bench.

[@theodorebelmont7922]

I'll be jumping with joy when Brock Nelson gets traded from NYI...he's almost single handedly killed the Penguins since 2019

[@LockedOnPenguins]

Yup, I cannot wait for it 😂🤣

[@kyleanderson3329]

Seriously. Trade that guy to like. Utah. Or Seattle. Maybe some beer league team in Saskatoon. I don't even care. Just get him *out of here*.

[@rodbelding9523]

The Islanders are pretty bad and the Penguins have gotten hot. Perhaps I'm being too optimistic but I'm expecting two wins lol.

[@LockedOnPenguins]

They have to bank these points to stay in it.

[@1pbdecoded1pb]

NYI are dead last on the power play and dead last on the penalty kill. Thanks for the info. NYI are 12% on the power play. NYI are 64.4% on the penalty kill. We need 4 points from these last place BUMS. LETS GO PENS!!!!!!!! These guys are done. Nelson and company need to be in deadline deals further weakening the Crylanders.