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Islanders hope to snap slide Penguins

Feb 7, 2008 - 1:56 PM NY Islanders (24-24-6) at Pittsburgh (29-19-5) 7:30 pm EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - Once a part of a hotly-contested race in the Atlantic Division, the New York Islanders have fallen off the pace in a major way.

They will try to get back on track Thursday when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are still playing without injured captain Sidney Crosby.

The Islanders have dropped five in a row and seven of the last eight games to fall into last place in the Atlantic with just 54 points - 11 back of the front-running Philadelphia Flyers.

As has been the case much of the season, offense has been the main problem during the last five games, as New York has been outscored 19-5.

The Islanders got shutout, 3-0, on Tuesday against Anaheim and leading scorer Bill Guerin has been held without a point in the last seven games.

Top goaltender Rick DiPietro has allowed at least three goals in each of his last six starts to see his goals-against average rise to 2.65 and his record fall to 19-20-5.

DiPietro will not have to face Crosby, who will miss his eighth straight game since suffering a high ankle sprain. The Penguins have gone 3-2-2 in his absence, falling to the Devils Monday, 4-3, in overtime.

The teams have split four meetings this season, but have not met since the Islanders claimed a 4-2 victory on December 21.