UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — If the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders fought things out on the silver screen instead of a sheet of ice, the sequel would have a roman numeral tacked onto the title a la “Rocky.”
It’s been two months since the Atlantic Division rivals staged one of the most penalty- and fight-filled games they or the NHL has ever seen. Much has changed since that Friday night in February when the Islanders had revenge on their minds and took care of getting it in all kinds of ways.
Whether the bad blood still exists when the Penguins return to Long Island on Friday night remains to be seen.
“Sometimes games like this, there is all the hype and it’s just another game,” Islanders tough guy Micheal Haley said Thursday. “They’re in the playoffs, so they’ll be worried about that. It’s tough to say what could happen. I am sure there will still be emotions but I don’t know if it will be like last time.”
