Top Storylines to Watch as Penguins Open at Home vs. Islanders

The Pittsburgh Penguins are back home at PPG Paints Arena tonight to play their home opener against the New York Islanders, with the puck dropped at 7 PM ET.

Pittsburgh comes into the game with points in 11 of its last 13 home encounters against the Islanders (8-2-3) and just eight regulation losses in 29 encounters since November 2018.

Below are the projected lineups for both the Penguins and Islanders for tonight's game.

Tonight begins the 20th season together as teammates for Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang, the longest-tenured trio of teammates in North American pro sports history. There will be a special pregame tribute honoring their historic streak.

Head coach Dan Muse, who got his first NHL victory Tuesday against his old team, guides the Penguins into his home opener behind the bench.

Muse, the 23rd coach in franchise history, comes with two decades of coaching experience and a resume featuring two Presidents' Trophies and three division championships as an assistant in Nashville and New York.

Crosby is in his 21st year with the Penguins, a team record for any player, and keeps moving up the NHL record book. He's ninth on the career points list (1,687) and one assist from reaching Steve Yzerman in ninth on the league list.

Letang, on the other hand, is three assists shy of becoming part of the 20 defensemen who have 600 in their careers.

The Penguins are 30-17-10 all-time in home openers and will try to extend that rich history tonight as they embark on a new era in franchise history: one of longevity, leadership, and devoted followers.